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Post by doctorwho on Feb 23, 2010 9:51:28 GMT -6
Official: Dist. 204 cuts may be 'unprecedented'dailyherald.com/story/?id=361214By Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald StaffContact writerPublished: 2/23/2010 Indian Prairie school officials have circled Monday, March 22, on their calendars, but not for a celebratory reason. They have a date with fiscal reality. By the end of that school day, the district will have notified nontenured teachers who won't be returning next year. And Monday night, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dave Holm said the cuts could be unprecedented. "It's fairly common that a percentage of the nontenured faculty are not retained each year, but this will be unlike anything we have ever seen," Holm said. "No one is looking forward to (March 22)." Later that evening, board members will discuss the administration's plan to reduce next year's spending by another $12 million. District officials said the state's nearly $14 billion debt is forcing the legislature to reduce payments to individual school districts. Compounding the district's problem is the $7.8 million the state already is months late in paying. That money largely is earmarked for special education and transportation. Program cuts, larger class sizes, potential building closings and an untold number of other suggestions from the district staff and the community finance committee are likely to be presented to the board March 22. But after cutting a combined $15.7 million from the 2009 and 2010 budgets, Holm admitted cost-cutting options are becoming fewer and farther between. "We're turning over every rock we can to bring you the next phase of the austerity plan," Holm said. "But as you can imagine, it's not easy. It's getting more difficult." Earlier this month, Superintendent Kathryn Birkett said it is very likely that several of its roughly 680 nontenured teachers may be released. Paying staff salaries for this budget year, however, is about to get a little easier. The state board of education has announced a plan to release a total of $3.5 million to $4 million in federal stimulus money to the district between now and March 19. "Paying us our general state aid with federal dollars frees up the state to hopefully start paying down that $7.8 million," Holm said. "But ultimately, it just pushes the entire problem into next year. But getting some money is better than getting none, so it's a constant battle." say good nite Waubonsie...some others need to get ready for a loverly commute to Jeantte Clarke er. I mean Metea Valley HS. |
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Post by casey on Feb 23, 2010 11:57:10 GMT -6
So help me if Waubonsie doesn't stay open for at least 2 more years....I will be livid. Remember, they felt the need to move some of these kids over to a VERY crowded Waubonsie to make Neuqua and Metea work. My daughter is very happy at Waubonsie (after a difficult initial transition). I only hope like heck they don't F with the class of 2012 anymore. This particular group has been through enough. Remember my kid as well as others in the district were sold on the whole new Metea HS experience. They chose mascots, team colors, etc. They met in small groups and were pulled out of classes to help plan Metea. Heck, I even remember a particular woman running around promoting Metea wearing her own hand-made Metea sweatshirt. Hope she was able to sell that one to a real Metea family (since the rug was pulled out on so many of these kids).
In addition, many of these kids dealt with extremely crowded middle schools, very crowded freshman center (over 1200 kids), being placed in a "special" freshman advisory situation, forced to move from friends, teammates and some were even forced to split from siblings. That's a lot for any one group of kids. I can't help but believe things would be a lot different if King Metzger had a kid from 2012 who was forced to deal with these issues.
I knew I'd turn into a Waubonsie cheerleader and I have. I'm scared of the next choices for my neighborhood - a really overcrowded Neuqua or a disgustingly long 45+ minute commute. Neither choice sound too good and I can't forgive our School Board for putting us in this position. Without having to spend $150M on a new high school we'd be in a much better financial position.
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Post by Arch on Feb 23, 2010 12:03:48 GMT -6
Without refinancing the old bonds with the new crap and stretching it out another 20 years, A LOT of the old bonds would have been paid off... something to think about...
Oh, but it was all about the short term "cash flow" at the time... How'd that work out for everyone? Your answer comes no later than 2014.
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 23, 2010 13:06:06 GMT -6
So help me if Waubonsie doesn't stay open for at least 2 more years....I will be livid. Remember, they felt the need to move some of these kids over to a VERY crowded Waubonsie to make Neuqua and Metea work. My daughter is very happy at Waubonsie (after a difficult initial transition). I only hope like heck they don't F with the class of 2012 anymore. This particular group has been through enough. Remember my kid as well as others in the district were sold on the whole new Metea HS experience. They chose mascots, team colors, etc. They met in small groups and were pulled out of classes to help plan Metea. Heck, I even remember a particular woman running around promoting Metea wearing her own hand-made Metea sweatshirt. Hope she was able to sell that one to a real Metea family (since the rug was pulled out on so many of these kids). In addition, many of these kids dealt with extremely crowded middle schools, very crowded freshman center (over 1200 kids), being placed in a "special" freshman advisory situation, forced to move from friends, teammates and some were even forced to split from siblings. That's a lot for any one group of kids. I can't help but believe things would be a lot different if King Metzger had a kid from 2012 who was forced to deal with these issues. I knew I'd turn into a Waubonsie cheerleader and I have. I'm scared of the next choices for my neighborhood - a really overcrowded Neuqua or a disgustingly long 45+ minute commute. Neither choice sound too good and I can't forgive our School Board for putting us in this position. Without having to spend $150M on a new high school we'd be in a much better financial position. I think an ES goes first - either Watts/Owen and I am betting on it being Watts since Owen has A/C. Waubonsie however would produce the most savings |
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Post by Arch on Feb 23, 2010 13:46:53 GMT -6
When everyone sees their most recent CC statements and their jacked up interest rates (you know, before that 'awesome' set of 'protections' kicked in on Monday)... the idea of a referendum is going to go over like a lead balloon.
CUT, CUT and for cryin out loud... CUT the spending. Quit pretending like you had no idea and quit trying to blame the state for the district's own short sighted "the grass is always greener tomorrow" fiscal ways and spending habits.
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 23, 2010 13:51:11 GMT -6
When everyone sees their most recent CC statements and their jacked up interest rates (you know, before that 'awesome' set of 'protections' kicked in on Monday)... the idea of a referendum is going to go over like a lead balloon. CUT, CUT and for cryin out loud... CUT the spending. Quit pretending like you had no idea and quit trying to blame the state for the district's own short sighted "the grass is always greener tomorrow" fiscal ways and spending habits. I really hope the goofs who are claiming they have not discussed a referendum are reading the comments in the Herald-- this is just not people pissed at this spend spend spend SB and Admin-- these are people saying no more $$ , I don't give a rat's behind why you want it. so start cutting SB and SD-- one of these days the rest of the people are going to figure out how you screwed this district over financially-- then that will be your legacies. |
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Post by southsidesignmaker on Feb 23, 2010 14:19:33 GMT -6
Arch, for the financially prudent the increase in interest rates are are of no concern. No one should have a credit card balance... EVER....
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Post by Arch on Feb 23, 2010 14:45:37 GMT -6
Arch, for the financially prudent the increase in interest rates are are of no concern. No one should have a credit card balance... EVER.... Tell that to the struggling families in 204 who also have been suffering from lack of employment or pay cuts. . . Then again, I'm not sure if you meant that sarcastically or not since our own district is how many million short and that's projected to keep on growing...? Ironic, eh? And each taxing body is thinking: taxes, taxes and more taxes to fix the problem... |
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Post by brant on Feb 23, 2010 14:58:55 GMT -6
When everyone sees their most recent CC statements and their jacked up interest rates (you know, before that 'awesome' set of 'protections' kicked in on Monday)... the idea of a referendum is going to go over like a lead balloon. CUT, CUT and for cryin out loud... CUT the spending. Quit pretending like you had no idea and quit trying to blame the state for the district's own short sighted "the grass is always greener tomorrow" fiscal ways and spending habits. I really hope the goofs who are claiming they have not discussed a referendum are reading the comments in the Herald-- this is just not people pissed at this spend spend spend SB and Admin-- these are people saying no more $$ , I don't give a rat's behind why you want it. so start cutting SB and SD-- one of these days the rest of the people are going to figure out how you screwed this district over financially-- then that will be your legacies. What saddens me is remembering what this district was like before this third high school disaster began. We moved here in the late 90s where there was only one school. It was wonderful and everyone was so proud of WV. When NV was built I was excited because we now had a second WV and the makings of a positive and friendly rivalry. It was this way until someone decided we needed this third HS. It was like a dark cloud came over us. It brought out the worst in a lot of people who wrote and said things they now regret. (me in particular) Now our district is fragmented, broke and in danger of losing a school this area was built around. Like Steve McQueen in The Sand Pebbles said at the end. "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?" |
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 23, 2010 15:23:05 GMT -6
I really hope the goofs who are claiming they have not discussed a referendum are reading the comments in the Herald-- this is just not people pissed at this spend spend spend SB and Admin-- these are people saying no more $$ , I don't give a rat's behind why you want it. so start cutting SB and SD-- one of these days the rest of the people are going to figure out how you screwed this district over financially-- then that will be your legacies. What saddens me is remembering what this district was like before this third high school disaster began. We moved here in the late 90s where there was only one school. It was wonderful and everyone was so proud of WV. When NV was built I was excited because we now had a second WV and the makings of a positive and friendly rivalry. It was this way until someone decided we needed this third HS. It was like a dark cloud came over us. It brought out the worst in a lot of people who wrote and said things they now regret. (me in particular) Now our district is fragmented, broke and in danger of losing a school this area was built around. Like Steve McQueen in The Sand Pebbles said at the end. "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?" I agree- I moved here in 90 and WVHS was it. as far as wth heappened - there are some common threads that tie this disaster together -- M2 - JC |
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Post by casey on Feb 23, 2010 15:27:55 GMT -6
I hate to say it brant, but it was never as easy as you've made it sound. You say it (Waubonsie) was wonderful and everyone was proud of it. I agree and that was definitely true before Neuqua. Unfortunately after Neuqua was built it was never the same. Our SB/SD allowed inequity to continue building and it exists in multitude today.
I always go back to Naperville Central and Naperville North as well as Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South. Sure there are differences between the schools but not sure the general public would think one is supposed to be the "better one". Ask someone outside of the 204 area what they know about Neuqua and Waubonsie. I think you'd get a different response. Our SB/SD allowed a cavernous wedge between the two schools. IMO the way they'll fix that will be to close WV and that makes me sick.
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 23, 2010 15:30:36 GMT -6
Arch, for the financially prudent the increase in interest rates are are of no concern. No one should have a credit card balance... EVER.... while in theory I would get this- remember even before credit cards there were 'lines of credit @ stores, car payments etc... however there also was one other thing, people went to work every day, and as long as you did a good job, you had a job. ( and a pension) Obama is finally starting to get it -- my nessage to him all along while he pushed healthcare because he could be history making was'' " it's about jobs stupid" back in the day people's job weren't shipped off to Brazil/ SE Asia/ India so that people making pennies on the dollar could do them- corporations make even more money for their executives, and the government either turns their back on it, or in some cases actually makies it worth while for the corp's to do so. I can't tell you how many 50 something people I know who are unemployed ( or at best underemployed) because of their age...insurance expensive for them so they are unhirable- regardless of their education or skill set. So for many people life has gone on, and kids still need clothes, and the house still needs to be heated and credit cards are the answer. Not everyone with a credit card balance lives in a McMansion and has 3 BMW's they can't afford in the garage. It has become fashionable to portray the lot as such, it is simply not true. |
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 23, 2010 15:44:26 GMT -6
I hate to say it brant, but it was never as easy as you've made it sound. You say it (Waubonsie) was wonderful and everyone was proud of it. I agree and that was definitely true before Neuqua. Unfortunately after Neuqua was built it was never the same. Our SB/SD allowed inequity to continue building and it exists in multitude today. I always go back to Naperville Central and Naperville North as well as Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South. Sure there are differences between the schools but not sure the general public would think one is supposed to be the "better one". Ask someone outside of the 204 area what they know about Neuqua and Waubonsie. I think you'd get a different response. Our SB/SD allowed a cavernous wedge between the two schools. IMO the way they'll fix that will be to close WV and that makes me sick. that wedge has been driven by jealousy, plain and simple and I was here the whole time to watch it play out. certain SB members never got over the boundary change that took NV from being boundaried e and w of rt 59 to n and s of 87th street. The one in the far north vowed at that time they deserved THEIR Neuqua. Well here were are 12 years or so later and by hook and crook THEY have their Neuqua. On a piss poor piece of land, as far from the population center as one can get and still be in the district - but hey, who cares. They paid for the schools you know. -- when Neuqua opened the kids were fine with it- those in sports looking forward to an in dstrict rivalry. My daughter was @ WVHS at the time and aside from a few comments about the lavishness ( which they undoubtedly got at home and from the papers which played it up real big- even drawing the attention of Jesse Jackson in Chicago) - no one @ WVHS wanted to be @ NV . HOWEVER a few leders and a couple of loud mouth followers never let people forget how they were supposed to go to the new school. Most people in that area were fine with Waubonsie and the schools they had..I knew many of them from attending Hill. ----SO are there people to blame for this divide and mess- you bet. I hope their legacies provide the disaster they have caused. |
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Post by Arch on Feb 23, 2010 15:53:55 GMT -6
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Post by researching on Feb 23, 2010 16:09:34 GMT -6
Official: Dist. 204 cuts may be 'unprecedented'dailyherald.com/story/?id=361214By Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald StaffContact writerPublished: 2/23/2010 Indian Prairie school officials have circled Monday, March 22, on their calendars, but not for a celebratory reason. They have a date with fiscal reality. By the end of that school day, the district will have notified nontenured teachers who won't be returning next year. And Monday night, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dave Holm said the cuts could be unprecedented. "It's fairly common that a percentage of the nontenured faculty are not retained each year, but this will be unlike anything we have ever seen," Holm said. "No one is looking forward to (March 22)." Later that evening, board members will discuss the administration's plan to reduce next year's spending by another $12 million. District officials said the state's nearly $14 billion debt is forcing the legislature to reduce payments to individual school districts. Compounding the district's problem is the $7.8 million the state already is months late in paying. That money largely is earmarked for special education and transportation. Program cuts, larger class sizes, potential building closings and an untold number of other suggestions from the district staff and the community finance committee are likely to be presented to the board March 22. But after cutting a combined $15.7 million from the 2009 and 2010 budgets, Holm admitted cost-cutting options are becoming fewer and farther between. "We're turning over every rock we can to bring you the next phase of the austerity plan," Holm said. "But as you can imagine, it's not easy. It's getting more difficult." Earlier this month, Superintendent Kathryn Birkett said it is very likely that several of its roughly 680 nontenured teachers may be released. Paying staff salaries for this budget year, however, is about to get a little easier. The state board of education has announced a plan to release a total of $3.5 million to $4 million in federal stimulus money to the district between now and March 19. "Paying us our general state aid with federal dollars frees up the state to hopefully start paying down that $7.8 million," Holm said. "But ultimately, it just pushes the entire problem into next year. But getting some money is better than getting none, so it's a constant battle." say good nite Waubonsie...some others need to get ready for a loverly commute to Jeantte Clarke er. I mean Metea Valley HS. I have been thinking about this a lot. Why goodnight Waubonsie? I realize it is an older school for sure and they wasted $150 Million on Metea but that shouldn't automatically mean the new school stays. Metea is in a horrible location in relation to the district population. The location has possible environmental problems (huge can of worms I won't go into right now). Metea has less staff and less students who would be uprooted. It has had ZERO graduating classes. It already looks like a warehouse with offices and the proximity to I 88 makes it perfect for industrial buyers. It would also make an interesting private school. Waubonsie is steeped in tradition. Has had the most graduating classes in the district and is already fully loaded with staff and students. Waubonsie is also better equipped to handle the number of students returning should one of the HS's be closed. Wasn't Metea built to house 2500 students or something? Waubonsie is also in a MUCH better location in respect to the district population. |
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