Hazel Crest SD 152-5 confronted with $1.8 million purchase-services shortfall, board urged to balance budget

The Hazel Crest School District 152-5 board heard a warning about a significant budget gap during its June 15 meeting. Dr. Robert Grossi Sr., the district's business services director, told trustees the district is “currently $1.8 million over budget on purchase services,” attributing much of the unexpected shortfall to increased costs tied to the COVID-19 period while noting other line items—supplies and out-of-district tuition—remain under budget.

Grossi told the board the district must ensure a balanced budget for the coming fiscal year, suggesting steps including optimizing bus usage and carefully weighing whether to proceed with a proposed capital project. The report did not include a definitive decision on the capital project; trustees did not vote on any specific budget reductions at the meeting.

The presentation supplied concrete figures used in the board's consent agenda: accounts-payable and payroll totals recorded in the meeting packet included a grand total of $3,038,119.84 and payroll items totaling $1,575,823.26. The board approved the consent agenda, which captured those totals on the record.