Highland Park board adopts tentative 2026–27 budget as health‑care costs surge

The Highland Park Board of Education on March 24 approved a tentative 2026–27 budget and related agenda items after a lengthy presentation and questions about rising health‑benefit costs and possible staff reductions.

Superintendent Dr. Susca and the district business official presented a preliminary budget that administrators said must be submitted as a balanced tentative budget to county and state reviewers. The district disclosed a preliminary projection that health‑benefit costs could rise 32% for the coming year — a move the administration estimated would add about $1.5 million to the operating budget. Those figures, officials said, are a moving target while the district seeks renewal quotes and prescription‑drug options from brokers.

The business administrator said the tentative budget totals $44,717,851 in operating revenue and reflects a proposed 4.14% increase in the school tax levy, which combines the 2% statutory increase with roughly $719,000 of a proposed health‑care adjustment. The administration also reported a projected 6% rise in state aid (about $357,000) and an estimated decrease in extraordinary…