Facing significant budget challenges due to a $2.7 million cut in state aid, the Hillsborough Township School District has been forced to adopt a $141.52 million budget for the 2024-25 school year that makes deep cuts across the board. Superintendent Michael Volpe stressed that with all the financial difficulties the district faces, "there are no 'good cuts to make.'" The proposed cuts total approximately $2.5 million and impact various programs, personnel, and services.

Among the most significant cuts are $1.1 million in unfilled referendum positions, $470,000 through attrition by not replacing retiring staff, and $270,000 from three eliminated staff positions. Additionally, $87,000 will be cut from extra services like summer programs and before-school library hours, and $394,000 will be saved by reallocating funds, switching to Chromebooks, and eliminating some clubs, assemblies, and other small projects. The budget also includes eliminating middle school sports, saving $129,000.

A legislative effort to mitigate these cuts is underway, led by Assemblyman Roy Freiman. This initiative would return two-thirds of the lost state aid as a one-time payment and let districts exceed the 2% tax levy cap to recover previous aid losses. Although hopeful for legislative relief, Volpe emphasized that the district must still follow current laws until changes are made.

Hillsborough Education Association President Henry Goodhue urged the district to reconsider eliminating middle school sports, noting their significant role in students' development. He believes non-instructional areas could offer opportunities for savings instead.

Despite a grim financial outlook, the district remains hopeful that legislative changes could provide some aid, helping safeguard critical programs and maintain educational quality for the students. The school board has committed to revisiting the budget if relief legislation passes, prioritizing the return of essential services where possible.