School Districts Weigh Tax Hikes and Staff Cuts

School districts across the U.S. are making difficult budget decisions for 2025-26 in response to financial pressures, changing enrollment, and public feedback. In New Jersey, Plainfield reduced a proposed 36% school tax hike to 18% after community opposition, Paterson approved an $848 million budget with a modest 4% tax increase, and South Brunswick adopted a budget requiring the elimination of 41 positions and a 7.2% tax increase over six years. Horry County, SC, and Union County, NC, are prioritizing teacher pay raises without increasing property taxes to support growing student populations. Oregon’s Salem-Keizer district will maintain staffing after previous cuts but warns of looming deficits due to declining enrollment and rising costs. These developments highlight the nationwide challenge of balancing tax rates, staffing levels, and program funding amid shifting demographics and uncertain state support.