HSD 152 boasts strong finances despite sluggish property tax collection and reduced federal funding

A decrease in federal funding and slow property tax collection has resulted in a sluggish financial start to the school year in Harvey School District 152. Despite these challenges, the district is in a strong financial position. 

Revenue is down compared to last year, “and this is mainly due to slow property tax receipts,” said Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations Dana Nichols at the board’s meeting on Oct. 14.  “We were informed that those bills will probably be released as of Dec. 1, and typically those property tax bills are due in August.” Read the full report here.

Hand in hand with reduced revenue is a reduction in capital spending with $2.3 million fewer dollars spent, thus far. According to Nichols, the spending reduction is primarily due to fewer construction and maintenance projects this year. 

Overall, however, the district is in a secure financial state with a year-to-date operating margin of $1.05 million compared to last year’s $804,000 margin. Nichols finished on an optimistic note: “If we were not to bring in any additional revenue, our fund balance is helping us enough to get us through the rest of the school year.”

Official business

Enrollment across the district has increased by 44 students since last school year, according to Superintendent Reginald Lawrence. Amid the increase in enrollment, the district is facing a teacher shortage. Although the board approved a new slate of substitutes at its meeting, President Janet Rogers said many of them will not be able to start until they have graduated their certification programs.

A new nurse will be starting at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School to temporarily fill a vacancy. The board approved a contract for $75 an hour until the school nurse returns from her leave. 

Nichols acknowledged problems with grant management in the 2025 fiscal year, resulting in overspending in some areas and underspending in others. The board must return $33,000 in unused grant funds to the Illinois State Board of Education while having overspent another grant allocation by $24,000. The board dipped into district funds to cover the overspend.

“The [finance committee] team did acknowledge that there are ongoing challenges with managing the grants, and emphasized the need for continued improvement to reduce these issues in the future,” Nichols said. 

The board approved a $3,025 payment to educational consultant Sabrina Williams to run workshops on Staff Institute Day next month. The board will also spend $1,800 to renew its contract with Eureka, an online math education program.

The curriculum committee is keeping a close eye on district resources as federal grants dry up, according to board member Sandra Contreras. At its meeting, the group created a 3 to 5-year review process of school inventory of laptops, books and other materials to ensure longevity and equitable distribution of them across the district.