Skip to main content

Holmdel Township School District

"A Commitment to Excellence"

Superintendent's Monthly Update - Week of October 5, 2026

Posted Date: 10/08/26 (02:17 PM)
View Original Post


Holmdel logo featuring a stylized bee and text in blue.

Superintendent's Monthly Update

#WeAreHolmdel #LiveHolmdelBlue #HolmdelProud

Week of October 5th, 2026


Dear Holmdel Township School Community,

Our school year is off to a strong start, and our students continue to excel in the classroom, on the stage, on the athletic field, and through their leadership and service. There is much about which we should be proud.

At the same time, important work is already underway regarding the district’s financial outlook. Given the increasingly challenging financial environment facing school districts across New Jersey, we have begun our budget work earlier than usual.
The administration and the Board of Education’s Budget and Finance Subcommittee have been meeting regularly since the summer. Our focus is on:

  • Developing financial models for the upcoming fiscal year;
  • Identifying savings and efficiencies; and
  • Prioritizing programs and services that have the greatest impact on our students.

One significant factor is the cost of employee health benefits. The State Educators Health Benefit Plan recently approved a 34.4% increase in premiums. A comparable increase for our district would result in at least $5 million in additional benefit costs.

As this work continues, transparency and community understanding are essential. Included with this newsletter are budget presentations and other resources from public discussions over the past two years. I encourage you to review them and become informed about the challenges and choices ahead.

These financial pressures are not unique to Holmdel. Districts throughout New Jersey are confronting similar increases in the cost of providing public education.

The challenges are significant, but I remain optimistic. We have exceptional educators and staff, engaged families, strong leadership, and a community that cares deeply about our schools. We will approach the difficult decisions ahead thoughtfully, responsibly, and transparently, and remain focused on what matters most: our students and their future.

Together, I am confident we will navigate these challenges and continue moving the Holmdel Township School District forward.
 

District Financial Brief

Understanding How Much of the Budget Is Actually Discretionary

It is important to understand that the vast majority of a school district’s budget is committed before discretionary decisions are made. As illustrated above, 78% of the budget is dedicated to salaries and benefits alone—costs largely driven by collective bargaining agreements, staffing requirements, and contractual obligations.

The remaining expenditures are also not simply “discretionary.” Transportation, facilities/IT, out-of-district tuition, and other expenses support essential operations and, in many cases, reflect legal, contractual, or student-service obligations. Only about 5% of the total budget falls within the broad “All Other” category.

In other words, when considering the district budget, it is important to distinguish between the total amount the district spends and the relatively small portion over which the district has meaningful flexibility. Budget reductions therefore cannot simply be applied across the entire budget; they require careful consideration of contractual commitments, legal requirements, student needs, and the district’s ability to maintain essential services.
A 3D pie chart titled Major Budget Expenditures by Category, showing salaries making up 58 percent of the total.

Archived Newsletters and Presentations

This section includes previously shared videos, such as recorded Board of Education meetings, discussions, and presentations. These resources will offer a helpful background to support understanding of future budget briefings and informational communications.

I. 2025-26

A. This presentation, from February 26, 2025, provides information and data points that speak to the district’s history of sound financial management. 


B. This presentation of the 2025-26 “not-to-exceed” budget offers helpful insight
not only into the budgeting process, but also into existing financial challenges, along
with a clear and explicit foreshadowing of future economic difficulties.


C. This video (1:31-1:46) is from the December 10, 2025, Committee of the Whole
meeting, which features a monologue by the superintendent in which he details the
historical, legislative, and financial factors that have contributed to the present
economic difficulties—sometimes referred to as the “fiscal cliff”, followed by a Q&A with
the board. 

II. 2026-27 

A. This presentation, delivered at the January 21, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting by the district’s Business Administrator, Mrs. Deborah Donnelly, provides information related to key considerations in the development of the 2026-27 budget, including budgetary shortfalls.





Archived Budget Newsletters/Communications

Information Resources and Articles

Learn More About School Finance

This section provides helpful resources for understanding the financial landscape of our schools. The links below offer clear explanations of key topics, including how school budgets are developed, the mechanics of school funding, and the financial challenges that impact local districts—such as the state health benefits program. Whether you’re a parent, community member, or staff member, these resources provide valuable context for the district’s budget decisions and long-term planning.

New Jersey School Boards: School Finance 101– A beginner-friendly overview of school finance.

School Budget and Finances – Detailed information on how school budgets are structured and managed.

Understanding the Mechanics of School Funding– Explains how funding flows to districts and what drives allocations.

Structural and Financial Challenges in the State Health Benefits Program for Local Government– Outlines key financial pressures affecting employee benefits and local budgets.

Save the Date!

A yellow sticky note with 'SAVE THE DATE' in a red circle, pinned to a surface.
  • October 12 - District Closed for Students - PD Day for Staff
  • October 13 - 8th grade Open House at HHS 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
  • October 28 - BOE Meeting
  • November 2-6 -  Fall Break
  • November 12 -  ESL Family Night 6:30 pm
  • November 18 - BOE Meeting
  • November 25 -  Early Dismissal for all
  • November 26-27 - Thanksgiving Break
 

Public BOE Meetings & Alerts

A green apple rests on a stack of books next to a chalkboard that reads 'SCHOOL BOARD MEETING'.

The Board's regular monthly public meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the High School Media Center.

All meetings will also be accessible via Zoom. Meeting links will be available on the district website, and recordings or meeting postings will be published on the district webpage within 24 hours following each meeting.
 

Quote of the Month

"You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” — Marcus Aurelius
 
Warm regards,
Dr. J. Scott Cascone
Superintendent of Schools