Hillsborough Schools Passes $130M Budget, To Lay Off 37 Staffers

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough Board of Education has passed a roughly $130 million budget that includes laying off 50 positions and 37 staffers as a result. This is a direct result of voters rejecting the $8.09 million school referendum on March 12.

Hillsborough Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jorden Schiff had warned the failure of the referendum would lead to eliminating positions and staff members, as well as an increase in fees, (including technology, sports and extra-curricular, and building usage) and a decrease in courtesy busing.

"At the end of this school year, our district will say goodbye to good, quality staff members, the loss of these staff members will be felt throughout the entire district. Our district will host a job fair for those individuals who will be let go. They will have the opportunity to meet with administrators from 18 other districts, so that we can assist them in finding employment," Schiff said.

The $130,324,772 budget for the 2019-20 school year passed at a vote of 7 to 2 during the HBOE meeting on April 30 which included the elimination of 50 positions and 37 staffers.

This is an decrease of $425,389 or 0.33 percent from the 2018-19 budget of $129,899,383.

On a Hillsborough home assessed at $400,000, taxes will decrease approximately $37 per year, Kia Bergman, spokeswoman for Hillsborough School District said.

"Following the failed referendum everyone understood difficult decisions were inevitable. However, the ones made last night do not reflect the best interests of our community. The Hillsborough Education Association is deeply saddened at the loss of so many dedicated professionals who positively impact students' lives. Diminishing academic programs, increasing class sizes, and undermining the high quality of our schools are unacceptable. Our community values honesty, integrity and a total commitment to keeping Hillsborough's schools among the best in the state. Our children deserve nothing less.," the Hillsborough Education Association stated.

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