School Closure Possible as 2013/14 Budget Discussions Begin

The Half Hollow Hills Board of Education will need to cut about $9.5 million in its 2013/14 school budget or put forth a budget before voters that includes an 8.5 percent tax levy increase to maintain existing programs, according to a Budget Survey Guide posted on the district's website. 

Current plans to eliminate summer school as well as elementary health teachers, in addition to tapping further into the district's reserves, still leaves a budget gap of $6.8 million to stay within the state's tax cap, the document states. 

With the district also faced with declining enrollment, officials have laid out the cost savings associated with closing various schools. 

Among the options: closing Chestnut Hill Elementary at a savings of $1 million, closing Candlewood Middle at a savings of $3 million (or closing Candlewood in the 2014/15 year at a savings of $1 million next year) or closing Hill School West at a savings of $5 million. 

The document makes clear that no decision has been made to close a school at this time and school officials said closing High School West is "highly unlikely," according to a Newsday article. 

The district's current $221.9 million budget, which included a 2.33 tax levy hike, passed easily last year. If the district pierces the tax cap, the 2013/14 budget will require a 60 percent super majority vote by residents to pass. 

The Board of Education will hold its first community meeting on the budget next Monday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. in the High School East auditorium.