Hillsborough board approves 2024–25 budget with $2.5M in cuts amid hope for state relief

The Hillsborough Township Board of Education on April 29 approved a final 2024–25 school budget that administrators say closes roughly $2.5 million in shortfalls driven by a $2.7 million reduction in state aid.

Superintendent (name not provided in the transcript) and district finance staff presented the plan at a public hearing and told the board the general fund will increase by about $2.9 million overall because of a 2% tax levy increase and one-time uses of reserves even as state aid was cut. The presentation said the district has absorbed more than $7 million in cumulative S2-related cuts since the policy took effect.

The administration outlined proposed reductions that would take effect if pending state legislation does not materialize: about $1.1 million from unfilled referendum positions, roughly $470,000 from attrition and four retirements not being replaced, about $887,000 from reduced extra services and staffing adjustments, and roughly $394,000 from reallocations and elimination of certain one-time items. The budget also included elimination of middle school sports as a potential cut if relief is not provided.

Business staff reviewed specific line‑item adjustments, including cuts to co‑curricular and athletics budgets, reductions to the child study team and media services extra hours, and transportation savings tied to cancelling middle‑school athletic trips. Administrators justified some changes — for example, replacing aging staff Chromebooks was presented as less expensive than refurbishing failing devices.

Board members debated the package and its tradeoffs. One member expressed discomfort with a legislative option that could authorize boards to exceed the 2% cap without direct voter approval; several members said they would reluctantly support the budget as presented while continuing to press legislators for relief.

Henry Goodu, speaking for the Hillsborough Education Association during the public hearing, urged the board to reconsider cuts to middle school sports, saying in part that "the reduction of middle school sports is an incredibly bitter pill" and cautioning that extracurriculars play a role in students' civic and social development.

The motion to approve the 2024–25 budget and related resolutions (item 6.3 on the agenda, including the health benefits waiver and reserve withdrawals) passed in a roll‑call vote. Two members registered no votes on item 6.3; the majority voted to adopt the package.

Next steps spelled out by administrators: the board-submitted budget will go to the Executive County Superintendent for approval, the district will post a user‑friendly budget by May 1, and the administration will continue to advocate with legislators for short‑ and long‑term changes that might restore one‑time or permanent aid.

Action item: Board approved the 2024–25 budget with contingencies tied to pending state action; the administration said it would recommend allocating any one‑time state aid toward staffing restorations if and when that funding becomes available.