The Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD) approved budget for the 2025 – 2026 school year has significant figures that the students of the district should be aware of. These figures, taken directly from the official budget slides, show the district is committed to upgrading the student experience and supporting staff. The Total Operating Budget is increasing by 8.96%, growing from $216.9 million to $236.3 million.
The largest financial focus of the new budget is a dramatic investment in materials and technology that directly impacts the classroom. The budget line item for equipment is seeing a massive funding increase, dedicating over $11.1 million to new technology and specialized classroom tools, a 1142.1% increase from the previous year. This huge jump is critical for students because it signals a complete renovation of school resources, like getting brand-new lab equipment, upgrading computer hardware, and replacing athletic gear.
Moreover, the budget ensures stability for the district’s personnel by maintaining competitive pay, which is essential for keeping high-quality educators. When the district can keep its best teachers, students benefit from consistent and effective instruction year after year. The budget for salaries, which accounts for the largest portion of spending, is increasing by 2.21%, and the benefits budget is also rising by 4.06%. These increases help make the FRHSD an attractive place to work, securing the district’s experienced and talented team of teachers, administrators, and staff.
The financial strength of the school system is overwhelmingly supported by local investment. The local Tax Levy, which is the money collected from local property taxes, is the main source of funding, accounting for 79.7% of the total operating revenue. This shows that nearly four out of every five dollars used to run our high schools comes from the community itself, proving a strong commitment to education. Overall, the Tax Levy is increasing by 13.5%, which represents a $22.3 million increase in local community support for the schools. The figures clearly demonstrate that the FRHSD is directing its substantial financial growth toward enhancing student resources and maintaining a high standard of education, strongly backed by local funding.
