Overview: The Hazel Park School Board meeting was dominated by urgent discussions surrounding the district’s financial challenges and proposed budget cuts for the 2018-2019 school year. With a projected deficit of $1.4 million and the potential growth of this figure to $7 million, board members stressed the necessity of presenting a balanced budget by May 1, 2018, to avoid state intervention and the imposition of an emergency manager. A significant decline in student enrollment compounded these financial concerns, prompting staffing adjustments across grade levels and an exploration of various cost-saving measures.