Belleville Schools Don’t Need State Monitor, Board Of Education Claims

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The Belleville Board of Education is asking New Jersey education officials to return local control of the district’s finances – and end more than a decade of oversight from the state in the process.

During the board’s meeting this week, Luis Muniz announced some new business that wasn’t on the agenda: a resolution that authorizes a letter from the trustees to the state commissioner of education.

The New Jersey Department of Education assigned a state monitor to oversee the financial operations of the Belleville school district in 2014 after a review of the district’s required financial audit revealed serious flaws. Belleville received a loan as part of the deal to help it climb out of the financial hole.

This week’s resolution – which passed a unanimous vote – states that Belleville has made all required loan payments on a timely basis, with a final payment slated for July 1.

Over the past decade, the Belleville Public School District has demonstrated that it has addressed its “weaknesses” involving internal control of its finances, the resolution claims, calling for state education officials to return local control of the district’s finances.

The state monitor assigned to the district, Thomas Egan, commented on Belleville’s current financial situation at Monday’s meeting.

“We have enough money to get through the end of the year without going into deficit – we’re in good shape financially,” Egan said.

Muniz thanked Egan for his work over the past decade, saying that he has been “instrumental” in passing many initiatives in the district.

“Whether you prefer to have Mr. Egan here or you don’t, the reality is that he’s been a major asset to this community,” Muniz said.

Egan’s most recent involvement in the district involved the 2025-2026 budget. The school board voted 6-1 against the administrations proposed spending plan, which includes a tax increase of $126 for the average homeowner. However, Egan chose to use his authority to override the board’s vote, approving the administration’s budget – and the accompanying tax increase.

>> Read More: State Monitor Makes Decision On Belleville School Budget

Belleville Mayor Michael Melham commented about Egan’s decision, saying that it was “unfortunate” that the board’s veto of the budget was “forced through.”

“This raises the question I’ve asked for years: if the state monitor can override our locally elected [school] board, why even have a board?” Melham asked.

Watch footage from the May 19 meeting below (video is cued to Muniz’s comments and the reading of the resolution).

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