🚨  OPPOSE THE EXTREMELY INSANE 12% BOE VISHAL PATEL TAX INCREASE  🚨

We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers of Edison Township, New Jersey, hereby register our strong opposition to the proposed 12% property tax increase in the Edison Public Schools FY 2027 Preliminary Budget, which would raise the local tax levy to $263,214,748. We call upon the Edison Township Board of Education and Middlesex County officials to reject this budget and return with a fiscally responsible alternative.

A 12% single-year tax increase is not a modest adjustment — it is a financial shock delivered to families already stretched thin by years of inflation, rising housing costs, and growing job insecurity driven by automation and AI. This increase demands immediate community action.
 

Why We Oppose This Budget
•        Unprecedented financial shock.  A 12% jump in one budget cycle far exceeds inflation and normal cost-of-living adjustments. NJ statute caps the tax levy at 2% without special exceptions; residents deserve to know what justifies blowing past that expectation.

•        AI-driven job displacement is a real and present crisis.  Edison Township has one of the highest concentrations of technology and finance workers in New Jersey — sectors experiencing historic layoffs driven by artificial intelligence. Many households are managing on reduced or uncertain income right now. A tax shock of this magnitude, imposed at this moment, is not just tone-deaf — it is dangerous.

•        Inflation has already eroded purchasing power.  Years of elevated inflation have left families paying significantly more for groceries, utilities, childcare, and housing. Property taxes are not optional — non-payment puts homes at risk.

•        Residents are being displaced.  Rising housing costs and property taxes are pushing long-term Edison residents out of the township. This increase accelerates that trend and threatens the diversity and stability of our community.

•        One-time fund withdrawals mask structural problems.  The budget relies on $19,533,224 in Bankers Cap funds, $1,000,000 from Capital Reserve, and $5,075,723 from unassigned fund balance. Raiding reserves while raising taxes by 12% is not sound fiscal management.

•        Transparency is lacking.  Residents deserve a plain-language breakdown of every major expenditure — including the $3,968,093 healthcare adjustment — before any levy is approved.

Our Demands
We the undersigned demand the following from the Edison Township BOE:

1.     Immediately pause and revisit the FY 2027 preliminary budget before submission to the County Superintendent.

2.     Identify and implement meaningful spending reductions to bring the tax levy increase in line with the statutory 2% cap.

3.     Hold a public town hall where residents can ask direct questions about budget line items and receive transparent, detailed answers.

4.     Publish a plain-English breakdown of all major expenditure increases, including the healthcare adjustment and capital project withdrawals.

5.     Commit to a multi-year fiscal plan that does not rely on one-time fund balance withdrawals to mask structural budget deficits.

We love Edison’s public schools and want them to thrive. But thriving schools require a thriving community. When residents are forced out of their homes or into financial crisis, everyone loses. We ask the Board to lead with empathy, creativity, and fiscal discipline — not with a 12% tax shock.

 
🚨  OPPOSE THE EXTREMELY INSANE 12% BOE VISHAL PATEL TAX INCREASE  🚨

If you do not want to see a HUGE increase in your tax bill, take action now.

👉  Email the following Board members and demand they STOP this excessive tax increase:

Board Member
Email Address
Vishal Patel
vishal.patel@edison.k12.nj.us
Russell Azzarello
russell.azzarello@edison.k12.nj.us
Shannon Peng
shannon.peng@edison.k12.nj.us
Jerry Shi
jerry.shi@edison.k12.nj.us
Anjana Patel
anjana.patel@edison.k12.nj.us
Ralph Errico
ralph.errico@edison.k12.nj.us
Ronak Patel
ronak.patel@edison.k12.nj.us
Virginia White
Virginia.white@edison.k12.nj.us
Christopher Lugo
Christopher.Lugo@edison.k12.nj.us

 

📩  Copy & Send This Email to Board Members
Cut and paste the email below and send it directly to every board member listed above.

SUBJECT: OPPOSE the 12% Tax Increase — Edison Township BOE FY 2027 Budget

Dear Board Members Who Voted in Favor of the 12% Tax Increase,

Vishal Patel, Russell Azzarello, Shannon Peng, Jerry Shi, Anjana Patel, Ralph Errico

I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed 12% TAX INCREASE, which places an UNACCEPTABLE BURDEN ON TAXPAYERS during a time of rising inflation, economic uncertainty, and financial strain on families.

⚠️ Moving from a claimed 0% increase to 12% is NOT responsible financial planning.

KEY CONCERNS THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED:

•        Subscription Busing:  Why should the entire town subsidize optional services? Users should pay the full cost — not taxpayers.

•        Administrative Costs:  A large administrative structure exists — cut here first before raising taxes.

•        Degree Programs for Administrators:  Reduce spending on travel and administration perks.

•        Capital Expansion:  New wings, projects, and spending while raising taxes 12% is unacceptable.

•        AC Spending:  Investing heavily for limited high-heat days is not a priority when taxes are rising.

•        Talmadge Property Purchase:  A multi-million dollar decision that must be reconsidered.

•        Lack of Cost Control:  Residents see marketing and announcements — but not discipline.

 

REALITY FOR RESIDENTS:

•        Inflation is increasing everyday costs

•        Housing and interest rates are high

•        Economic uncertainty and job disruption are real

👉 AND NOW A 12% TAX INCREASE?

WHAT WE DEMAND:

1.     STOP this 12% tax increase

2.     Cut administrative and non-essential spending FIRST

3.     Make optional programs self-funded

4.     Prioritize taxpayers over unnecessary expansion

 

This is about affordability, accountability, and responsible governance.

👉 STOP THIS BURDEN ON TAXPAYERS.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address, if desired]

It's crucial for the Edison Township to maintain a sustainable and equitable budget that supports our education system while also safeguarding the financial well-being of its residents. We urge the board to reconsider the proposed tax increase and engage with the community to find a balanced solution that serves the best interest of all stakeholders.

Join us in calling on the Edison Township Board of Education to find a fair and viable approach that doesn't disproportionately impact homeowners. Sign this petition to voice your opposition to the 12% property tax increase and advocate for responsible fiscal management.