Teaneck Board of Education Preliminary Budget Presentation 2025-2026

Andre D. Spencer, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools Victor J. Anaya, Interim School Business Administrator March 5, 2025

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Over the past three years, Teaneck Public Schools has exemplified extraordinary strength, dedication and
		
commitment to our scholars, families and staff. We have continued to demonstrate excellence through our
		
many accomplishments. Teaneck Public Schools has added an International Baccalaureate, Health Science
		
Magnet and Early College programs in our schools. We are preparing to engage the Advancement Via
		
Individual Determination program in our middle schools. These opportunities allow us to implement
		
internationally and nationally recognized programs designed to support and assist all scholars to succeed in a
		
college preparatory path for admission to a university or college of choice. Yet, we are not finished. Teaneck
		
Public Schools continues to pay close attention to our career and technical education opportunities, as ou
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scholars have access to more than ten (10) career and technical credentialing programs, with plans to expand.

Moreover, In 2024, Teaneck Public Schools received several awards, recognitions and accolades, from
		
becoming a League of Innovative Schools member to being designated a "high performing" district by the New
	
Jersey Commissioner of Education. Nevertheless, as we embark upon our pathway forward, we are proud of our achievements as we look towards our new "North Star". We ask you to join us as we create a new distric
wide strategic plan (2025-2030), which will help to set the stage for the possibility of a successful referendum.

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As we say in Teaneck Public Schools, "Excellence for All".

Message from Dr. Spencer

Andre D. Spencer, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools Teaneck Public Schools

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     2

District Vision & Mission Statements

VISION: The Teaneck Advantage: Educational Excellence for All

MISSION:	The Teaneck Public School District educates and empowers students by providing a high-quality, rigorous education experience which prepares students for success within a diverse, global society.

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     3

District Vision & Mission Statements

Theory	of	Action:	If	Teaneck	Public	Schools concentrates      on      the      quality      of	instructional questioning       and       discussion;       enrichment	and intervention supports to inform scholar’s academic needs, while embedding opportunities for young people to demonstrate active listening and critical thinking,      with	consistent	professional      learning opportunities        that        are        data-informed        and technologically implemented, with a focus on every scholar        through        a        collaborative,        cohesive, cross-departmental              and              inter-disciplinary approach…We will improve the quality of teaching and learning, instructional leadership, and ensure that every scholar achieves the expectations outlined in the Teaneck Public Schools Framework of a Graduate.

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     4

District Accomplishments “Teaneck Achieves”

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District Accomplishments “Teaneck Achieves”

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District Goals - SY 2025-2026

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2025 Updates 2025 UPDATES

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      8

Professional Development “Teaneck Achieves”

Professional Learning

●	Teacher Clarity: The district improved student learning experiences by effectively utilizing the gradual release of responsibility model and strategically designed tasks, ensuring clearer expectations and targeted support throughout the learning process.
●	New Jersey Coalition of Inclusive Education: The district enhanced its commitment to inclusive education by partnering with the New Jersey Coalition of Inclusive Education to develop and implement best practices for supporting students with diverse learning needs. This collaboration has provided educators with the tools, strategies, and professional development to create more inclusive classrooms that foster equity and access for all students.
●	Rutgers University Disproportionality Lab: The district improved its approach to addressing disproportionality by collaborating with Dr. Edward Fergus, Rutgers University Professor, to analyze data, identify systemic barriers, and design targeted interventions. Through this partnership, the Teaneck School District gained clearer insights into the root causes of disparities and developed strategic, data-informed practices to ensure more equitable student outcomes across all groups
●	Co-Teaching Model- Station Teaching: The district enhanced it’s teaching approach in ICR classes, which allows for Universal Design for Learning (UDL), caters to the different learning styles, increases student engagement by providing diversified activities. This allows teachers to provide focused small group instruction in order to address the unique needs of the students. Each station provides representation of a topic in multiple ways and students are able to express their learning through numerous modalities, which is an important principle of UDL.

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      9

District Accomplishments “Teaneck Achieves”

National Recognition: Teaneck High School was honored with the 2024 College Success Award, highlighting its commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success.
Innovative Partnerships:

○	Soluna: The district launched a pilot partnership with Soluna to provide telehealth mental health services for students aged 13 and older, highlighting a proactive commitment to student well-being.
○	Project Thrive: The Teaneck School District is partnering with Fairleigh Dickinson University's Clinical Psychology Department to provide school-based mental health services for students in both general and special education at select elementary and middle schools.
○	Fairleigh Dickinson University: Tomorrow’s Engineers, Mathematicians & Computer Scientists: Middle school students received advanced learning opportunities in the areas of STEM, Coding and Robotics
○	Teaneck Achieves - Early College Associate Degree Program: Teaneck High School students now have the opportunity to earn an Associate Degree through the Bergen Community College Early College Program, giving them a head start on higher education while still in high school.
Academic Programs: The district introduced the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP), expanding educational opportunities for students.

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      10

Communication “Teaneck Achieves”

Favorable Interaction with Stakeholders

Teaneck Public Schools continues to progress in building favorable communication with stakeholders

through consistent and transparent updates

●	Weekly Wednesday Update: Weekly newsletter utilized to keep the community informed, sharing important updates, achievements, and school news
○	Published in both English and Spanish

●	Commitment to Social Media: Teaneck Public Schools continues to make a dedicated effort to engage with the community via social media platforms (Instagram and Facebook), ensuring
real-time communication and interaction in both English and Spanish

○	Maintaining an engagement rate of 5% on Instagram and 3.5% on Facebook

●	Self-Published Articles: Teaneck Public Schools actively contributes article to local media (Patch), showcasing community efforts, programs, and successes, providing a direct voice to the public
●	Website Audit for Streamlined User Experience: A continuous audit of the TPS website will ensure improved navigation and provide a more user-friendly experience for site visitors
●	Partnership with the Jewish Link: A new collaboration with The Jewish Link has expanded outreach, providing more visibility and communication opportunities for the community

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      11

Special Projects “Teaneck Achieves”

Teaneck Public Schools is committed to providing students with valuable opportunities for growth, civic engagement, and career readiness through a variety of strategic partnerships and initiatives.

●	Partnership with the County Board of Elections and the Township Government: Teaneck has partnered with the County Board of Elections to provide election worker training for scholars at the high school, fostering civic engagement and encouraging student involvement in the democratic process
●	Renewed Partnership with NJ Division on Civil Rights: Teaneck has rekindled its partnership with the NJ Division on Civil Rights to relaunch their Safe Spaces program, offering a new group of scholars the opportunity to participate and learn about civil rights issues
●	Mobile Museum of Tolerance: Combat online hate program focuses on educating and raising awareness about the harmful effects of online hate speech, cyberbullying, and extremism
●	Work Study Program with SACC: A work-study program for high school seniors and juniors has been established in collaboration with SACC, allowing students to gain valuable experience working with younger students in the SACC program
●	Ongoing Outreach for Internship & Work Study Opportunities: Teaneck continues its efforts to engage with local businesses and organizations to create more internship and work-study opportunities for students, enhancing career readiness and community connections
●	Seeking National Exposure for TPS Achievements: Teaneck is actively seeking opportunities to showcase its accomplishments on a national stage, including submitting proposals to present at the League of Innovative Schools National Convening and the NSPRA National Convention

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      12

Strategic Plan “Teaneck Achieves”

Teaneck Public Schools (TPS) will begin working toward the creation of a comprehensive Strategic Plan that will guide the district for the next five years.

●	This plan will be developed collaboratively with input from diverse community groups and members, ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard
●	The plan will prioritize innovation, continued learning, and the expansion of educational opportunities to ensure that every scholar receives the high-quality education they deserve
●	The plan will foster opportunities for public and non-public collaboration on community projects, promoting inclusivity and creating a more unified, supportive environment for all.
●	A well-crafted strategic plan is critical for setting clear goals, aligning resources effectively, and creating a roadmap for sustained growth and success, empowering TPS to adapt to future challenges and continue fostering a thriving educational community

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      13

Technology Infrastructure Upgrades “Teaneck Achieves”

Infrastructure Upgrades: As part of Teaneck Public Schools' commitment to maintaining a secure and efficient technological environment, we are implementing key infrastructure upgrades to strengthen our network and data management capabilities.

●	Data Center Refresh (Begin Spring 2025): Teaneck Public Schools is in the process of refreshing its data center to improve performance, scalability, and reliability
○	This upgrade includes modernizing hardware, optimizing storage solutions, and enhancing overall infrastructure to support the growing technological needs of the district
○	By refreshing our data center, we are ensuring that our systems remain secure, efficient, and capable of supporting the evolving demands of our educational environment
●	Firewall Refresh (Begin Summer of 2025): Teaneck Public Schools is undertaking a comprehensive firewall refresh to enhance network security and protect sensitive data
○	This refresh will ensure that our systems are equipped with the latest security protocols to safeguard against potential cyber threats
○	By updating and strengthening our network defenses, we are prioritizing the safety of our scholars, staff, and digital infrastructure

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      14

Sitework and Equipment

TEANECK HIGH SCHOOL
● Auditorium Sound System Upgrades BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL
● New Above Ground Gasoline/Diesel Tank for fueling O&M Vehicles ● Food Service Van
DISTRICT WIDE
● New Bus Purchase
● New O&M Pick Up Truck Purchase ● Data Center and Firewall Refresh

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     15

What is a Budget? It is a balancing act…

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         16

PRESCHOOL EXPANSION AID (PEA)

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ENROLLMENT:
Application for State School Aid (ASSA). Count on October 15, 2024 is the basis for the State Aid Teaneck Schools will receive for the 2025-2026 school year

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Fund Sources Definitions

• Tax Levy – The amount of revenue raised
through property taxes to support Teaneck Public Schools

• State Aid - Funds received directly from the State which are predicated on enrollment and a district’s socio-economic status

• Fund Balance – Surplus funds and/or unused appropriations from prior year budgets

• Capital Reserve – Surplus Funds from prior year budgets reallocated and set aside for future capital improvement projects

• Extraordinary Aid – State aid for special education costs that exceed
$40,000 per year/per student (public school) and $55,000 per year/per student (private school)

• SEMI Aid – Federal aid for services provided to special education students eligible for Medicaid reimbursement

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        21

Revenues

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Revenue Summary

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Appropriations

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2025-2026 General Fund Tax Levy Increase Scenarios

0.00%
	
1.00%
	
1.50%
	
2.00%
	
2.52%

Tax Levy
	
$ 102,348,757
	
$ 103,372,245
	
$ 103,883,989
	
$ 104,395,733
	
$ 104,927,946

Reductions That Would Be Needed
	
$ 2,579,189
	
$ 1,555,701
	
$ 1,043,957
	
$ 532,214
	
$0

Staffing (Average salary $100,802)
	
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15
	
10
	
5
	
$0

Staffing Reductions Costs OR
	
$ 2,579,189
	
$ 1,555,701
	
$ 1,043,957
	
$ 532,214
	
$0

Other Expenditure Reductions
	
$ 2,579,189
	
$ 1,555,701
	
$ 1,043,957
	
$ 532,214
	
$0

Combination of Staffing and Other Reductions

Staffing Reductions
	
13
	
8
	
5
	
3
	
0

Staffing Reductions Costs AND
	
$ 1,268,763
	
$ 749,285
	
$ 539,947
	
$ 229,808
	
$0

Other Expenditure Reductions
	
$ 1,310,426
	
$ 806,416
	
$ 504,010
	
$ 302,406
	
$0

TAX LEVY SCENARIOS

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$102,348,757 $104,927,946
	
2.52%

$628,114 $627,549
	
2.52%

	$9,225 $9,460
	
	$234

TAX LEVYAFFECT ON TAX COMPARISONS for 5 YEARS # Residential

2020/21 2021/22

2021/22 2022/23

2022/23 2023/24

2023/24 2024/25

TAX LEVY $93,159,321 $95,022,508
2.00%

$95,022,508 $96,922,957 2.00%

$96,922,957 $100,341,919
3.53%

$100,341,919 $102,348,757
2.00%

 VALUATION $5,152,540,200 $5,188,972,400

$5,188,972,400 $5,230,667,600

$5,230,667,600 $5,251,806,000

$5,251,806,000 $6,968,514,700

 TAX RATE 1.8080% 1.8312%

1.8312% 1.8530%

1.8530% 1.9106%

1.9106% 1.4687%

 HOME $386,230 $387,405 2.00%

$387,405 $390,792 2.00%

$390,792 $629,780 3.53%

$629,780 $628,114 2.00%

AVG. TAX $6,983 $7,094
$111

$7,094 $7,241
$147

$7,241 $12,033 $4,791

$12,033 $9,225
$(2,807)

 Properties N/A 11,076

11,076 11,076

11,076 11,064

11,064 11,065

2024/25 2025/26

$6,968,514,700 $6,960,780,000

1.4687%                                                                                   11,065 1.5074%                                                                                   11,092

2024/25 2025/26

$102,348,757 $104,395,733
2.00%

$6,968,514,700 $6,960,780,000

1.4687% 1.4998%

$628,114	$9,225	11,065 $627,549	$9,412	11,092 2.00%                           186

Annual diff between 2% and 2.52%	$48 Monthly Increase 2.52%                           $20
Monthly Increase 2%	$16

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Reserves

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     27

Next Steps

❑ March 5th, 2025 - First Preliminary Budget Presentation
❑ March 12th, 2025 - Second Preliminary Budget Presentation ❑ March 12th, 2025 - Approval of Preliminary 25-26 Budget
❑ March 17-19, 2025 - Preliminary Budget Roadshows at BF, TJ and THS
NKYO
❑ March 19th, 2025 - Submission of the approved Preliminary Budget to County for review and approval
❑ April 21st, 2025 - Budget approval by County Superintendent	
U
Melissa Simmons
❑ April 21st, 2025 - Advertised Budget sent to Newspaper
❑ April 23rd, 2025 - Formal action to be taken by the Board to adopt the 25-26 Budget
❑ April 24th, 2025 - Submit adopted budget to the county with required documents (i.e. extract certified resolutions)
❑ April 24th, 2025 - Adopted 2025-2026 User Friendly Budget to the district website

www.teaneckschools.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     28

QUESTIONS?

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