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Hillside superintendent cites $1.1 million state‑aid loss, proposes 2% tax increase to narrow shortfall
Summary
District leaders told the board a 3% reduction in state aid — roughly $1.1 million — and rising costs have created a multi‑million dollar gap; a proposed 2% property tax increase would generate about $620,000 and is intended to limit classroom staffing cuts.
The Hillside Public School District superintendent told the board that a 3% reduction in state aid has created a substantial budget gap and that district leaders are proposing a 2% property tax increase to help close the shortfall.
The superintendent said Hillside and one other district in the county experienced a 3% reduction in state funding this year, which the superintendent described as approximately $1,100,000 to $1,200,000. "That 3% decrease in state aid decrease was approximately $1,100,000 close to $1,200,000," the superintendent said, and added that the proposed 2% increase would equate to roughly $620,000. The superintendent warned the shortfall is compounded by typical annual cost increases in salaries, transportation and special education services and described the district's broader budget gap as close to $4,000,000.
"I'm doing, along with Dr. Eigenholtz, my best to never have to cut positions and impact our classrooms," the superintendent said. "Imagine them not being here, class sizes increasing, and all the other things." The superintendent said the district has negotiated teacher and administrator contracts that add to costs and that leaders have contacted the Department of Education to seek relief.
Board members and the superintendent noted the district has raised taxes "once in seven years." The superintendent urged residents to contact legislators about the funding formula, saying other districts were flat‑funded or received increases while Hillside experienced a loss.
Officials said the proposed 2% tax increase will not cover the entire loss from state aid but is intended to limit deeper cuts to staffing, extracurricular activities and programs. District leaders repeated that many new or updated positions, policy adjustments and technology upgrades are paid for through grants rather than general fund dollars in some cases. No formal board decision on the tax proposal was recorded in public session during this meeting.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to close public comment: passed (second noted; public comment closed at the chair's request). - Motion to enter executive session pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act to discuss personnel, pending litigation, labor negotiations and contract negotiations: passed. The board recessed to closed session; no public vote tally by name was given in the public record.
