Hawthorne School Board approves preliminary budget amid rising costs and funding challenges

The Hawthorne School District is set to approve its preliminary budget during the Board of Education meeting tonight, marking a crucial step in the district's financial planning for the upcoming year. This preliminary budget will be submitted to the county office of education for further approval, with a formal public hearing scheduled for April 29 to discuss the specifics in detail.

Despite receiving an additional $223,628 in state aid this year, the district faces significant financial challenges. Last year, Hawthorne lost $884,000 in state aid, leaving it $651,000 behind its funding levels from two years ago. Rising costs in health benefits, out-of-district tuition, utilities, and salaries have compounded these financial pressures, necessitating cuts of approximately $500,000 to balance the budget.

To address these challenges, the district plans to utilize available healthcare adjustment funds and bank cap funds, along with reallocating some maintenance reserve funds. The interim business administrator, Miss Trapp, has been acknowledged for her efforts in developing this budget within a condensed timeline, typically a months-long process that was completed in just one month.

Community members are encouraged to participate in the upcoming public hearing on April 29, which will be live-streamed on the district's YouTube channel, to gain a deeper understanding of the budget's specifics and its implications for local education.