BUDGET MEETING FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 5TH, 2026.

The Hillside Public Schools held a budget meeting on May 5th, 2026, to present and discuss the proposed $82 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The presentation highlighted key revenue sources including a 41% tax levy and 40% state aid, noting a structural budget gap of approximately $4 million and the impact of a potential $4.37 million charter school cost. The district faces declining enrollment, rising healthcare costs, and limited growth in the tax base, leading to difficult decisions such as staff reductions, program cuts, and a proposed 6% tax levy increase (including a 2% cap plus a healthcare waiver). Public comments addressed concerns about program impacts, staff layoffs, and the potential closure or consolidation of the Hillside Innovative Academy (HIA). Board members and administration discussed the budget’s challenges, the use of one-time surplus funds, and the consequences of not passing the budget, including the possibility of a costly state monitor. The meeting included detailed explanations of budget allocations, staffing decisions, and the rationale behind tax increases, with a focus on maintaining instructional quality amid financial constraints.