School Budget
During the March meetings of the Livingston Public Schools Board of Education, the preliminary budget for the 2025-26 academic year was presented, discussed, and ultimately passed.
The proposed budget would maintain all programs and staffing currently in place; account for 3.2 percent salary increases; include technology upgrades and curriculum updates; and decrease the debt service tax levy. Based on the average home price in Livingston of $729,727, the tax increase from the budget will be $305 per year.
The budget also allocates funds for six new high school courses: AP Computer Science: Engineering; Asian American/ Pacific Islander (AAPI) Studies; Chinese 2 Honors; Italian 2 Honors; The Business of Sports and Entertainment; and Data Science Principles.
Other highlights include: the planned expansion of the district’s integrated preschool program, which accounts for an additional $300,000 in revenue; the implementation of an activity fee at both the middle schools and high school that will provide an additional $357,000 in revenue; and a $90 increase in the subscription busing costs, which will add $90,000 in revenue.
Balancing a budget of this size is never easy, and that is especially so given the challenges presented over the last few years. But it is paramount that we continue to invest in our students. Doing so is not only crucial to ensure our children have the brightest possible future, but it is also an investment in our town. Countless parents have said that our outstanding education system is the driving force for their decision to move to or remain in Livingston. Continuing to fund the schools at a level that ensures the district remains a leader in the state is for the betterment of our entire community. It appears that this is a responsible budget that accomplishes that goal.
Theater Performances
Last weekend, the Livingston High School Theater company performed its spring musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” to a captivated audience. We have highlighted the LHS production in the Tribune for the past several weeks, so now that the show has finally debuted, it only makes sense to praise all involved for a stellar show.
The musical featured the top-notch singing and dancing we have come to expect from our Lancer actors, and we enjoyed the show’s “story-within-a-story” structure. Calvin Coakley was one of several standouts in his role as the Man in Chair, who remained on stage for almost the entire show. Saddled with pages of dialogue to remember, he delivered his lines expertly and had the entire auditorium captivated by his narrative storytelling.
One particular jaw-dropping element came in the second act, when an airplane crashed onto the stage. Upon sitting down in the auditorium, we noticed a long, thin wire running across the room. But as the musical went on, we had completely forgotten about it, until it made its dramatic entrance. This impressive element of technical theater is just one of the many aspects that make the LHS Theater Department among the best of the best at what they do.
The shows are not over in Livingston’s “theater district,” however. Next weekend, the Children’s Theater of Livingston (CTL) will perform its spring show, “Finding Nemo Jr.” A musical adaptation of the classic Pixar film, the show will bring the underwater story to life.
With a cast of over 40 Livingston children (second through fifth grade) and a backstage crew of middle schoolers, there is so much great work to celebrate. We hope residents enjoy a night out and support our fledgling performers this weekend, just as they did for our seasoned high school troupe last week.
CTL was founded nearly 20 years ago to bring opportunities to the youth in town to experience all levels of theater in a workshop setting, and is supported by the Township Council, Board of Education, Arts Council of Livingston, and Healthy Community/Healthy Youth (HCHY). It is a wonderful example of what makes this community so special and interconnected, and we are excited each year to see it in action.
The one-act show is a great introduction to theater for young children. Showtimes are 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30, at the south building of the Eastman Corporate Center, 290 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue. The last four CTL shows have sold out, so pre-ordering tickets is suggested and may be done at https://tinyurl.com/findingnemojrtickets or by emailing [email protected].
