HSD 152 kicks off school year in a ‘very healthy’ financial state, official says
Harvey School District 152 saw decreases in year-to-date revenues and increased expenditures in July. However, school officials say the district is starting the new year with a robust fund balance.
The Harvey School District 152 board reviewed their monthly financial report during its regular meeting on Aug. 10.
Dana Nichols, the district’s newly appointed superintendent after Reginald Lawrence exited to become principal in north suburban Zion, presented the monthly business office report for July. The district’s year-to-date revenues for the month totaled $912,000 with expenditures up to $1,049,000. Nichols noted that the listed revenues and expenditures reflect the amounts listed in the 2026 fiscal year budget as the 2027 budget is still in its 30-day review period.
“The majority of those revenues were from our rollover expenditures from our grants that run through Aug. 31,” Nichols said. Most year-to-date expenditures reflected salaries and benefits, according to the superintendent.
Compared to July 2025, Nichols said, the district’s revenues were lower by approximately $200,000 while expenditures were higher by $384,000. She said that capital projects throughout the district explain the increased spending this summer. The district ended the month with an estimated fund balance of approximately $41 million, an amount that Nichols described as “very healthy.”
According to HSD 152’s summer newsletter, the district is maintaining a 4.00 recognition score from the Illinois State Board of Education’s school district financial profile. ISBE records show that the district has maintained its 4.00 score since 2018.
Back-to-school bash cancelled
The district planned to have its 40th annual back-to-school fest on Saturday, Aug. 15 at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School Field. A flyer for the event advertised food, games, music, and performances by the Harvey Blue Angels, Harvey Park District Dancers, and the Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School cheer team. It also advertised vendors for “community resources, school supplies, haircuts and more.”
However, a post on the district website on Aug. 13 said the event was cancelled due to heavy rain and power outages from recent storms. A rescheduled date has not been announced, but the district shared a flyer on their Facebook page for a similar back-to-school event occurring on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Transformation United Methodist Church.
Assistant principal thanks superintendent
Carlene Matthews, assistant principal at Bryant Elementary School, thanked Nichols for a great start to the year with an administrative retreat. She said it was her first retreat and, “it was exciting to be able to work together, collaborate, and really get to know our peers.”
“Our desire is to be united and put students first, and as an alum, I’m really excited about what you’re going to do as a team,” Matthews said during audience participation.
Enrollment updates
Nichols reported that 900 students had registered for the 2026-27 school year as of Aug. 8. “We would like to start the school year with at least 1,000 enrolled.” The district offered two additional registration days on Aug. 11 and 12, but it is unknown if the district reached 1,000 students for enrollment.
Personnel updates
The board voted to approve Patrick Gronbech as interim principal of Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, effective Aug. 11. Abeni Hester was reassigned to assistant principal at Whittier and Holmes Elementary Schools. Hester previously served as principal of Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School.
We’re filling the void after the collapse of local newspapers decades ago. But we can’t do it without reader support.
Help us continue to publish stories like these
Author
Related Articles
WHD SD147 unveils 2027 tentative budget
West Harvey-Dixmoor School District 147 presented a $24 million tentative budget with a public hearing scheduled for early September. Despite reductions in revenues, the district has secured grant funding to support capital projects.
SH SD151 pre-K nearly full as South Holland Community Center ends program
Enrollment for South Holland School District 151’s preschool program surged after a local community center ended its pre-K program. Meanwhile, the district will implement a state-required wireless device policy by the 2027-28 school year.
SSC board passes tentative 2027 budget
South Suburban College delivers another balanced budget for the seventh consecutive year and tensions arose over the subject of an honorary, non-voting board member who would offer advice and insights.
