Oppose Monroe BOE Record High School Tax Increase & $12 Million Increase in Spending

Recent signers:
Stephanie Melms and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

🚨  OPPOSE THE EXTREMELY INSANE MONROE SCHOOL TAX INCREASE  🚨

We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers of Monroe Township, New Jersey, strongly and unequivocally oppose the proposed property tax increase in the Monroe Township School District 2027 Preliminary Budget. This reckless plan drives spending up by $12 million and imposes a record-breaking tax hike on already overburdened residents. We demand that the Monroe Township Board of Education and Middlesex County officials reject this budget outright and return with a fiscally responsible alternative..

A 7.76% increase in a single year is not “modest” — it is a financial gut punch. This is the second year in a row the Board of Education is raising taxed well beyond the 2% cap and excessively inflating an already bloated budget.  Families in Monroe are already struggling under years of inflation, rising housing costs, skyrocketing prescription cost, and increasing job instability. This proposal ignores that reality and shifts the burden directly onto taxpayers who are already stretched to the breaking point.

Monroe Taxpayers will see a huge spike in the school tax portion of their tax bill this year. For a home assessed at $336K, the tax increase will be $265.89. There are many homes in Monroe assessed much higher than $336K, resulting in an even higher increase. This increase will be EVERY YEAR - not just this year. This is the highest single year increase in Monroe.

Why We Oppose This Budget
• This is a financial ambush. A $12 million spending surge in one year is excessive, unjustified, and completely out of step with economic reality. New Jersey’s 2% tax levy cap exists for a reason — blowing past it demands serious justification, not silence.

• Residents are already tapped out. Inflation has driven up the cost of everything — groceries, utilities, childcare, and housing. Property taxes are not optional; failure to pay means losing your home. This increase shows a blatant disregard for that fact.

• This will push people out of Monroe. Long-time residents are already being priced out. This tax hike accelerates that trend and threatens the stability of our community.

• Where is the transparency? Before demanding more money, the Board owes taxpayers a clear, plain-English explanation of where every dollar is going — including the nearly $8 million healthcare increase. Right now, that transparency is missing.

Our Demands

We, the undersigned, demand immediate action from the Monroe Township Board of Education:

Stop this budget now. Pause and revise the 2027 preliminary budget.

Cut the excess. Identify real, meaningful reductions and bring the tax increase back in line with the 2% cap.

Face the public. Hold a town hall where residents can ask direct questions and receive clear, honest answers — not talking points.

Show us the numbers. Publish a transparent, plain-English breakdown of all major spending increases, including healthcare and capital withdrawals.

We support strong public schools — but not at the cost of driving residents out of their homes. A community cannot sustain great schools if the people who fund them can no longer afford to live here.

Enough is enough. Lead responsibly, or step aside for those who will.

183

Recent signers:
Stephanie Melms and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

🚨  OPPOSE THE EXTREMELY INSANE MONROE SCHOOL TAX INCREASE  🚨

We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers of Monroe Township, New Jersey, strongly and unequivocally oppose the proposed property tax increase in the Monroe Township School District 2027 Preliminary Budget. This reckless plan drives spending up by $12 million and imposes a record-breaking tax hike on already overburdened residents. We demand that the Monroe Township Board of Education and Middlesex County officials reject this budget outright and return with a fiscally responsible alternative..

A 7.76% increase in a single year is not “modest” — it is a financial gut punch. This is the second year in a row the Board of Education is raising taxed well beyond the 2% cap and excessively inflating an already bloated budget.  Families in Monroe are already struggling under years of inflation, rising housing costs, skyrocketing prescription cost, and increasing job instability. This proposal ignores that reality and shifts the burden directly onto taxpayers who are already stretched to the breaking point.

Monroe Taxpayers will see a huge spike in the school tax portion of their tax bill this year. For a home assessed at $336K, the tax increase will be $265.89. There are many homes in Monroe assessed much higher than $336K, resulting in an even higher increase. This increase will be EVERY YEAR - not just this year. This is the highest single year increase in Monroe.

Why We Oppose This Budget
• This is a financial ambush. A $12 million spending surge in one year is excessive, unjustified, and completely out of step with economic reality. New Jersey’s 2% tax levy cap exists for a reason — blowing past it demands serious justification, not silence.

• Residents are already tapped out. Inflation has driven up the cost of everything — groceries, utilities, childcare, and housing. Property taxes are not optional; failure to pay means losing your home. This increase shows a blatant disregard for that fact.

• This will push people out of Monroe. Long-time residents are already being priced out. This tax hike accelerates that trend and threatens the stability of our community.

• Where is the transparency? Before demanding more money, the Board owes taxpayers a clear, plain-English explanation of where every dollar is going — including the nearly $8 million healthcare increase. Right now, that transparency is missing.

Our Demands

We, the undersigned, demand immediate action from the Monroe Township Board of Education:

Stop this budget now. Pause and revise the 2027 preliminary budget.

Cut the excess. Identify real, meaningful reductions and bring the tax increase back in line with the 2% cap.

Face the public. Hold a town hall where residents can ask direct questions and receive clear, honest answers — not talking points.

Show us the numbers. Publish a transparent, plain-English breakdown of all major spending increases, including healthcare and capital withdrawals.

We support strong public schools — but not at the cost of driving residents out of their homes. A community cannot sustain great schools if the people who fund them can no longer afford to live here.

Enough is enough. Lead responsibly, or step aside for those who will.

The Decision Makers

Monroe Township School Board (Middlesex County)
3 Members
Kate Rattner
Monroe Township School Board (Middlesex County)
Eric Marozine
Monroe Township School Board (Middlesex County)
Vanessa Forst
Monroe Township School Board (Middlesex County)
Gail DiPane
Gail DiPane
President, Monroe Township School Board (Middlesex County)

Supporter Voices

Petition Updates