Parents, students and teachers in Hackensack say they are outraged after the district announced its budget deficit ballooned from $15 million up to $17 million during a packed Board of Ed meeting last night.

The public testimony lasted for hours after the school board presented its new findings and said the district could cut 90 full-time staff positions to help fill that gap.

An auditor brought on by the board testified that a recent look into the books showed financial mismanagement over the past several years, including repeatedly using cash reserves to balance the budget instead of raising taxes.

The new increase in the budget hole is being blamed on rising health insurance costs.

The meeting comes a week after the Board of Ed filed a lawsuit against its former superintendent, business administrator, and several district vendors alleging their actions contributed to the current financial crisis, including hiring dozens of employees the district couldn't afford.

Former Superintendent McBride was placed on administrative leave this past June, according to the suit.

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