Hillside BOE Budget Meeting - May 13, 2026

The Hillside Public Schools Board of Education held a budget meeting on May 13, 2026, focused primarily on discussing the district's budget challenges, staffing reductions, and the impact of state aid cuts. Public comments raised concerns about salary increases despite staff cuts, funding for student summer workers, and the large carryover funds from the previous fiscal year. Board members and administrators explained that salary increases were largely due to contractual obligations and staff transfers, while the carryover funds were unspent allocations from prior years. The meeting also addressed the potential impact of a new charter school on the district's budget, the structural deficit of over $4 million, and the limited options to reduce the tax levy without further cuts to programs or staff. The board discussed the tight timeline for budget approval, the possibility of state intervention if the budget was not passed, and the need for more detailed budget information to make informed decisions. No new budget changes were made since the previous meeting, and the board planned to enter executive session to discuss labor negotiations and other confidential matters.