Ridgewood Schools Approve 1.9% Tax Increase

The Ridgewood Board of Education has approved a $99.4 million budget that includes a 1.908% tax increase for village residents, NorthJersey.com reported.

According to the report, the increase, which is just under the state-mandated 2% tax levy cap, will have the average resident see a $172 tax increase in this year’s school taxes.

This year marks the first time that the school budget was not voted on by the residents of Ridgewood, following a decision by the BOE to move school elections to November and eliminate the budget vote so long as it is under the 2% cap, the report said.

The 2014-15 budget includes funding for renovations to the high school library and a Chromebook laptop initiative at the high school, the report said.

Though many board members praised the contents of the budget, several cautioned locals about budgetary challenges, like growing educational costs and unfunded state mandates, that the Board will need to consider in coming years, the report said.

Locals can view the district’s budget presentation on its website.