Local News

Without Budget, Hillsboro Schools Can Stay Open Through February

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 10:00:07 CDT
As the deadline for the next fiscal year nears, school districts in the state continue to grow worried about the possiblity of not being able to open their doors in the fall. Hillsboro Superintendent David Powell says that while some districts may be forced to close by the election in November, Hillsboro has enough money to last beyond the first of the year.

"The revenue that would be frozen due to the lack of a state budget would impact us greatly, but without that revenue, we could go through at least February of next year."

Even though the district has some time, Powell is still pushing for legislators in the state to get a budget that satisfies the needs of education completed.

"It's very frustrating to see what's going on in Springfield. I'm working with other superintendents and Senator (Andy) Manar to push for, not only a budget, but a good budget with better funding for education. We need adequacy and we need equity with regard to the K-12 public education budget. Getting a budget is obviously important. We can't function without one; but as important is the content of that budget."

According to Powell, the amount of state aid the Hillsboro school district has received over the years has decreased dramatically.

"In 2008, Hillsboro received nearly $7 million in general state aid, and in eight short years later we're receiving $3.9 million; so you're looking at a $3 million drop in state aid over eight years on a $19 million budget. That's just crushing us. We're starving for revenue. Our local property tax payers are certainly doing their part, and we're receiving our money from the federal government that's about ten percent of our budget. But our state revenue is just dried up and it's really hurting our students."

Hillsboro plans on opening their doors to students for the school year on August 15, 2016.

-David Jenkins
June 27, 2016