HSD 152 trying to buffer blow of delayed property tax payments through reduced spending

Even though delayed property tax payments countywide are creating financial stresses for some suburban school districts, Harvey School District 152 has enough in its fund balance to cover critical academic expenditures in the 2026 fiscal year.

The district’s revenue is roughly $1 million lower than the last fiscal year due to decreased federal grant funding and problems with county disbursements, a district finance official revealed at the board’s meeting on Jan. 12. 

But HSD 152’s spending is also down just as much as compared to the 2025 fiscal year, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Dana Nichols said during her business report to the board.

The district has roughly $40.7 million across all fund balances, which “places the district in a strong financial position as we begin a second semester of school,” Nichols said. Because of the district’s decision to reduce spending, district year-to-date revenues exceed expenditures by $3.1 million.

Cook County is sorely behind on disbursing property tax revenue to taxing districts because of complications updating its computer system. The county began disbursing payments in December, but there’s still payments outstanding.

With changes in education funding at the national level and persistent delays from the county, the district anticipated lower revenue. In response, HSD 152 made cuts across all funds except for salary. Some districts have taken out bonds to cover costs while others applied for a short-term, no interest loan from Cook County.

The district budget to receive $33.3 million in revenue for fiscal year 2026, currently having collected 45.6 percent. That translates to $15,159,000 million received, with $18.1 million to collect, Nichols said. The district budgeted $33.2 million in expenditures, only having spent 36.48 percent of that, or $12.1 million, Nichols said. That means there’s $21.1 million to spend, she said.

That same evening, the board approved the December 2025 payroll which totaled $1.3 million dollars. They also approved the appointment of three new positions at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School: two teachers and a one safety assistant. They are scheduled to begin this month.

Community engagement

Several community organizations expressed interest in partnering with the district to support student academic achievement, teacher professional development, and provide resources. 

Top Ladies of Distinction, a national service organization with local chapters, wants to provide in-person and virtual literacy and writing tutoring to students for one hour a month. 

Community member, Sylvester Hall, approached the board to partner with the district beginning at the end of 2026 academic year, following into the 2027 academic year. His organization’s program, Prime Five, would “build a pantry filled with food supplies for the year, provide teachers with institute services, tutoring services, mentoring and coaching services, and a field day of fun at the end of the year.”

The district also came together to raise $13,000 to fund the funeral services of a student who passed due to an asthma attack.