HSD 152 still awaiting the remainder of property tax revenue from Cook County

Harvey School District 152 still has yet to receive all of its anticipated property tax revenue from Cook County. 

The delay is the result of the 2024 property tax bills that were sent out later than anticipated due to technology upgrades that Cook County made. As a result, the district’s January expenses exceeded its revenue by approximately $126,000, setting its fund balance at $40.2 million. In January, the district received $2,633,000 in revenue and expenses were $2,759,000. 

For the 2026 fiscal year, the district expected to receive $33.3 million and collected 53.3 percent, leaving a remaining balance of $15.5 million. The district expended 45 percent of the $33.2 million budget with approximately $18 million left to spend for the year. 

Despite the property tax payment delay, the district’s financial prudence remains stable: it cut this year’s expenses by $2.6 million. “​​Overall, we still are in a strong financial position,” said Dana Nichols, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations at the board’s meeting on Feb. 9.

DreamScape program

The board approved the facility use of Bryant Elementary School for local nonprofit DreamScape. 

DreamScape is a youth mentorship and skill-building organization created by Carlene Matthews, Bryant Elementary Assistant Principal, and her husband. The program teaches youth trades, social and emotional learning (SEL), and offers athletic programming to students as young as 9-years-old. 

Herron said the program targets students with disciplinary problems as “a lot of times, they are unseen and they have the opportunity.”

Educational Foundation gala

The district will hold its 10th Annual Educational Foundation Gala Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Idlewild Country Club. 
This year’s honorees include Cynthia Miller-Reynolds for educator of the year, Aline McDowell for support staff of the year, Restoration Ministries for faith-based partnership, and Polished Pebbles for community partnership.

Committee reports

The board passed three action items from the finance committee. Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School will receive services from Luma Audio Visual costing $42,588. The board also approved payments for the Thornton Township Trustees of Schools in the amount of $32,360 and the Suburban School Cooperative Insurance Pool (SSCIP) for $313,169.

The policy committee gained approval for the first reading of PRESS Plus Issue 120. Managed by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), PRESS Plus offers school boards tailored support in updating their policy information. The board receives policy revisions from Springfield periodically that mainly cover footnotes and changes in verbiage.

The curriculum committee expressed concern with attendance for students receiving special education services. The committee plans to collaborate with administrators to discuss and implement strategies to improve attendance. 

The district will be searching for a new occupational therapist as the former one resigned as of Jan. 23. They will likely seek short-term support outside of the district to provide those services to students. Parents have been notified of the change. 

The parent advisory council reported that some of the district’s pre-K programs are at capacity, but they will continue to work with families and organizations to increase enrollment across all available slots.