A financial crisis in a New Jersey school district has deepened, with an independent audit revealing the district is now facing a staggering $17 million deficit — $2 million more than previously disclosed.
Parents, students and educators were stunned as both the public and members of the Hackensack school board learned the new total during a meeting Tuesday night. The revised figure includes the cost of higher health insurance premiums for the new year.
“Everything’s in: The budget’s gonna be $17 million short,” an auditor said during the meeting.
Monica Brinson, a substitute teacher, reacted to the news with disbelief…