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Hawthorne board approves $734,557 increase to final budget to cover health benefits and special-education needs
Summary
The Hawthorne Public School District Board of Education approved modifications to its final budget that increase expenditures by $734,557 to address higher-than-expected employee health insurance costs and to maintain paraprofessional staffing tied to students’ IEPs; the board expects state approval for the changes.
The Hawthorne Public School District Board of Education on July 29 approved modifications to its final budget that increase expenditures by $734,557 to address rising employee health insurance costs and to maintain staffing tied to students’ individualized education programs (IEPs).
Finance staff presented the recommended changes, saying the district was eligible to increase expenditures by $226,557 in an earlier round and is now seeking an additional $408,000 for a total increase of $734,557. The presentation said the additional spending would qualify for tax-levy incentive aid; the transcript lists two incentive aid amounts of $15,550 and $19,429 tied to prior and additional allocations, though a larger single figure in the transcript appears garbled and is not reported here.
The district reported that earlier projections had assumed a 16% blended increase in health-insurance premiums; officials said they were now advised the increase could reach as high as 32%, creating an estimated $645,000 shortfall the district must close. The board said the requested levy increase would be used specifically for employee health benefits and for paraprofessional salaries tied to student IEPs, areas the board said are required by law.
Board members and staff discussed the fiscal trade-offs and alternatives. Speakers noted the district could consider using reserves, applying for extraordinary aid, or as a last resort reducing programs or staff if additional revenue sources are not available. A county business official encouraged the district to revise its application when the state opened additional allowance for expenditure increases.
The board took a roll-call vote after discussion. Recorded yes votes included Joseph Carr, Alex Clavigo, Michael Doyle, Jennifer Ehrentraff, Abigail Goff, Erica Malkyfolksan, Anthony Palouse, Gazelle Vega and Marco Chatero; the motion passed.
Officials said the state’s executive county superintendent previously approved a tentative budget on April 16, 2025, and that any increase in the district’s levy and expenditures is subject to state review and approval. The board’s presentation referenced prior public hearings on the budget held earlier in the year.
The board did not specify a mover or seconder for the motion in the recorded transcript. The action was recorded as approved by roll call; staff indicated follow-up work will include finalizing allocations and exploring offset options if state aid or other revenues do not fully cover the shortfall.
The board then moved to its scheduled work session.
