Hammond Schools pass $133M Budget as deficits loom

Adrian Martinez-De La Cruz

The Hammond School Board approved a nearly $133 million budget for 2026 — a spending plan that holds steady from last year, but reflects the district's uphill financial battle.

The budget approved Tuesday night by the school board sets aside $80 million for the education fund, which covers teacher salaries and classroom materials, $30 million for operations and $14.8 million for debt service to pay off long-term obligations. The capital referendum fund was allocated $8.1 million, which will be used toward the $110.6 million bond voters approved in 2017 for the construction of Hammond Central High School.

While the total spending is $412,000 higher than this year's budget, it remains well below previous years. The district's budget this year was nearly $23 mill