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Post by EagleDad on Feb 10, 2010 20:38:45 GMT -6
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/2041333,D204-funding-staff-cuts-NA021010.article February 10, 2010 By KATHY CICHON kcichon@stmedianetwork.com If the state of Illinois doesn't come through with the funding it owes Indian Prairie School District 204, several teachers will likely lose their jobs. "We have not landed on what that number will look like," said Superintendent Kathy Birkett, who confirmed Wednesday non-tenured staff would feel the hit. In a message to District 204 community members, Birkett explained the effects of the state's financial woes on education. "The state's $13 billion debt is so substantial that it may be forced to reduce financial support for school districts," Birkett wrote. "That means our district is facing possibly $14 million to $20 million in additional budget cuts, and some of those cuts will be very difficult. Until now, we have prioritized cuts that stay away from the classroom, but as deeper cuts are needed, that will be impossible." Compounding the problem, she wrote, is the fact the state currently owes the school district more than $7.8 million for this year's funding. That figure is prominently displayed on the school district's Web site, and district schools will be adding the information to their signs for passersby to see. The state is estimated to provide 9 percent of the district's 2010 budget, whereas a decade ago more than a quarter of District 204's budget came from state funding. In her message, Birkett urged residents to contact lawmakers in Springfield "to let them know they need to meet their commitment to our students' education. "They also need to know the devastating impact that decreased state funding will have on education," she wrote. Birkett said she is alerting the community in the first of many communications to come about the situation, because of what it could mean in the future. "I'm trying to heighten the awareness in the community of what's going on right now in the state of Illinois," she said. "It's not new news, but I think every single community is really struggling with it." By Illinois state school code, any certified teacher must be notified by the end of March if they will be released from employment for the following year. "We are still working to determine the number of teachers that that release could include, but we feel we have to be forward with the non-tenure staff so they know that's a possibility and what that could look like," she said. The district has approximately 680 non-tenure staff members, which represents 31 percent of the more than 2,000 certified staff members, Birkett said. Non-tenured teachers include teachers in their first through fourth year. As soon as they begin their fifth year, those teachers are tenured. "It will be nowhere near that number," she said. "We're getting firmer and firmer on what that will look like." There has been no talk of a possible referendum to make up the budget shortfall, she said when asked. "We have not talked about referendums at all," Birkett said. "We believe in these fiscal times and what our community is dealing with ... that's not even come up in board discussion."District 204 has already been forced to trim dollars from its budget in recent years. "We call this Austerity Phase 3 now," Birkett said. Phase 1 involved cutting $6.5 million from the 2010 budget, and this year the district cut $9.2 million to close a deficit in the 2011 budget. Those cuts included elimination of some positions, consolidation of classes and delaying some expenditures. "Austerity Phase 3, which we believe we need to look at, unless the state makes some drastic changes, we'll be looking at anywhere between $14 (million) and $20 million need for additional budget cuts, on top of the $9.2 (million)," Birkett said. "So we are not untouched, much like our neighboring districts." Birkett stressed the potential cuts are not the result of district spending, citing 204's high financial ranking by the state. "This is not District 204 has been spending," Birkett said. "This is we can no longer count on the state of Illinois." Teaching jobs are not the only thing that could land on the chopping block, she said. "We can't make up that whole deficit on the backs of the staff," Birkett said. "You also have to be talking about programs." At this point, there is no specific program on the chopping block. The district is in the process of prioritizing, and will be looking at the matter at the board's Feb. 22 work session, she said. Everything is a possibility, she said, when it comes to making cuts. "Given the state of Illinois, we're trying to put ourselves in a good position so whatever they throw at us, we'll be ready," Birkett said. Val Dranias, president of Indian Prairie Education Association, the District 204 teachers union, said layoffs "would be a huge impact on our students in District 204." But between the uncertainty about state funding and the state code's notification requirement for non-tenured teachers, "the district is in this Catch-22," Dranias said. Even if the state funding cut is $14 million instead of the up to $20 million, "the impact for our students and our teachers is bigger than it's ever been," Dranias said. Teachers released in the spring will be left in limbo wondering if they will be rehired by the district in the fall, she said. And students will feel the effects as well. Fewer teachers could translate into more students per classroom, Birkett and Dranias both said. Both also said the funding is out of the district's hands. "It is in the lap of Springfield and our community to show their voice to Springfield," Dranias said. While District 204 is entering new territory, Birkett said it will make do with the funding it receives. "We will make it work and I fully believe our staff, our parents, our community at large, our board and our administration will all pull together and we'll make this work," Birkett said. "But it does not mean things will look like they always looked, and people need to recognize that."
I highlighted the lie part for those following along at home. Welcome to the real world D204 - don't ask for my help now that you need it.
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 10, 2010 20:55:27 GMT -6
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/2041333,D204-funding-staff-cuts-NA021010.article February 10, 2010 By KATHY CICHON kcichon@stmedianetwork.com If the state of Illinois doesn't come through with the funding it owes Indian Prairie School District 204, several teachers will likely lose their jobs. "We have not landed on what that number will look like," said Superintendent Kathy Birkett, who confirmed Wednesday non-tenured staff would feel the hit. In a message to District 204 community members, Birkett explained the effects of the state's financial woes on education. "The state's $13 billion debt is so substantial that it may be forced to reduce financial support for school districts," Birkett wrote. "That means our district is facing possibly $14 million to $20 million in additional budget cuts, and some of those cuts will be very difficult. Until now, we have prioritized cuts that stay away from the classroom, but as deeper cuts are needed, that will be impossible." Compounding the problem, she wrote, is the fact the state currently owes the school district more than $7.8 million for this year's funding. That figure is prominently displayed on the school district's Web site, and district schools will be adding the information to their signs for passersby to see. The state is estimated to provide 9 percent of the district's 2010 budget, whereas a decade ago more than a quarter of District 204's budget came from state funding. In her message, Birkett urged residents to contact lawmakers in Springfield "to let them know they need to meet their commitment to our students' education. "They also need to know the devastating impact that decreased state funding will have on education," she wrote. Birkett said she is alerting the community in the first of many communications to come about the situation, because of what it could mean in the future. "I'm trying to heighten the awareness in the community of what's going on right now in the state of Illinois," she said. "It's not new news, but I think every single community is really struggling with it." By Illinois state school code, any certified teacher must be notified by the end of March if they will be released from employment for the following year. "We are still working to determine the number of teachers that that release could include, but we feel we have to be forward with the non-tenure staff so they know that's a possibility and what that could look like," she said. The district has approximately 680 non-tenure staff members, which represents 31 percent of the more than 2,000 certified staff members, Birkett said. Non-tenured teachers include teachers in their first through fourth year. As soon as they begin their fifth year, those teachers are tenured. "It will be nowhere near that number," she said. "We're getting firmer and firmer on what that will look like." There has been no talk of a possible referendum to make up the budget shortfall, she said when asked. "We have not talked about referendums at all," Birkett said. "We believe in these fiscal times and what our community is dealing with ... that's not even come up in board discussion."District 204 has already been forced to trim dollars from its budget in recent years. "We call this Austerity Phase 3 now," Birkett said. Phase 1 involved cutting $6.5 million from the 2010 budget, and this year the district cut $9.2 million to close a deficit in the 2011 budget. Those cuts included elimination of some positions, consolidation of classes and delaying some expenditures. "Austerity Phase 3, which we believe we need to look at, unless the state makes some drastic changes, we'll be looking at anywhere between $14 (million) and $20 million need for additional budget cuts, on top of the $9.2 (million)," Birkett said. "So we are not untouched, much like our neighboring districts." Birkett stressed the potential cuts are not the result of district spending, citing 204's high financial ranking by the state. "This is not District 204 has been spending," Birkett said. "This is we can no longer count on the state of Illinois." Teaching jobs are not the only thing that could land on the chopping block, she said. "We can't make up that whole deficit on the backs of the staff," Birkett said. "You also have to be talking about programs." At this point, there is no specific program on the chopping block. The district is in the process of prioritizing, and will be looking at the matter at the board's Feb. 22 work session, she said. Everything is a possibility, she said, when it comes to making cuts. "Given the state of Illinois, we're trying to put ourselves in a good position so whatever they throw at us, we'll be ready," Birkett said. Val Dranias, president of Indian Prairie Education Association, the District 204 teachers union, said layoffs "would be a huge impact on our students in District 204." But between the uncertainty about state funding and the state code's notification requirement for non-tenured teachers, "the district is in this Catch-22," Dranias said. Even if the state funding cut is $14 million instead of the up to $20 million, "the impact for our students and our teachers is bigger than it's ever been," Dranias said. Teachers released in the spring will be left in limbo wondering if they will be rehired by the district in the fall, she said. And students will feel the effects as well. Fewer teachers could translate into more students per classroom, Birkett and Dranias both said. Both also said the funding is out of the district's hands. "It is in the lap of Springfield and our community to show their voice to Springfield," Dranias said. While District 204 is entering new territory, Birkett said it will make do with the funding it receives. "We will make it work and I fully believe our staff, our parents, our community at large, our board and our administration will all pull together and we'll make this work," Birkett said. "But it does not mean things will look like they always looked, and people need to recognize that."
I highlighted the lie part for those following along at home. Welcome to the real world D204 - don't ask for my help now that you need it. are you f'n kidding me  ? You're not spending -- what the HELL is that $150M waste of money on Eola !!! 20 years of bond issues to keep us in debt forever for a few hundred seats that may have been needed ( although capacity for the freshman center set up was 8800-9000 which is more than we will ever have. My God this is unreal ! Do they really believe this ? At least we never have to worry about our Super if she leaves this job, she can always do standup ar Zany's |
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Post by Arch on Feb 10, 2010 20:56:56 GMT -6
Then why spend 17K on a 'survey' from the same company that helped coach them on how to pass the MV building referendum after it was defeated the first time?
Kathy (or even M2), please answer that question.
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 10, 2010 21:07:07 GMT -6
Then why spend 17K on a 'survey' from the same company that helped coach them on how to pass the MV building referendum after it was defeated the first time? Kathy (or even M2), please answer that question. they must have told them the party is over this time.... haven't even discussed a referendum -- bull- the referendum was discussed before the HS was even built. Do they think everyone in 204 is stupid ? |
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Post by EagleDad on Feb 10, 2010 21:12:34 GMT -6
They built this 3rd high school knowing full well they would need a referendum to operate it after the first two (or possibly three) years. Hell, I know 'cause I worked on it. Now, when the timing is bad they wanna play stupid and put their head in the sand?
Total and complete bullshit.
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Post by brant on Feb 11, 2010 7:51:58 GMT -6
From the Beacon
State set to cut funding for schools
February 11, 2010
By PAUL DAILING pdailing@stmedianetwork.com
Current negotiations in Springfield could result in 10 percent cuts to the state's school funding foundation level, meaning millions less in state aid to local schools.
State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, an Aurora Democrat who chairs the Elementary and Secondary Education Appropriations Committee, said this week the state budget crisis will likely affect general state aid, lately the only consistent funding source from Springfield to local schools.
RELATED STORIES
• Oswego proposes trimming school personnel by 80
Estimated funding loss
The approximate amounts local schools would lose if the state cuts its foundation school funding level by 10 percent:
East Aurora: $7.1 million West Aurora: $6.8 million
Batavia: $339,000
Geneva: $319,000
Hinckley-Big Rock: $51,000
Indian Prairie: $16.6 million
Kaneland: $1.4 million
Newark: $19,000
Newark High School: $11,000
Oswego: $8.6 million
Plano: $1.3 million
Sandwich: $1.5 million
Somonauk: $592,000
St. Charles: $732,000
Yorkville: $265,000
Based on 2009-2010 ISBE General State Aid Entitlements
"This has turned from the Mississippi to the Grand Canyon sort of thing," Chapa LaVia said of the funding gulch.
While the state has stopped and started other payments to the schools during its current budget crisis, general state aid was the only part that continued uninterrupted.
If Chapa LaVia is correct, that could change next year.
"It looks like we're coming to some huge drops in general state aid," Chapa LaVia said. "It's looking like anywhere from $600 to $700 per-pupil drop."
By law, districts must announce possible layoffs for the next school year by next month. Budget predictions so far have been based on the Illinois State Board of Education's proposed budget, which kept the foundation level the same. Chapa LaVia, however, is predicting a 10 percent cut for schools.
"That just pulled the rug out from us and every other district," West Aurora School District spokesman Mike Chapin said. "We were marching forward under the assumption that the foundation level was the same."
And the poorer the school district, the more this will hurt.
Cut hurts poor most
One use of the school funding foundation level is to break districts into three groups based on an area's wealth.
In the bottom two groups -- where all the Fox Valley's schools fall -- the number is popped into complicated formulas that come up with the dollar amount a district gets for each student. Poorer districts get more per student.
The wealthiest group, which includes the Barrington and New Trier schools, gets a flat per-student fee.
So if all other factors remain the same as last year, a 10 percent reduction in the foundation level could cut more than $7.1 million from the low-income East Aurora School District's state aid, but only $732,000 from St. Charles schools.
Locally, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and Yorkville fall in this middle group. The rest are "foundation level" districts, a group that includes the lion's share of Illinois' 871 school districts, State Board spokesman Mary Fergus said.
"It's not going to be fun, but it's not going to be the crisis it is for some of the 'foundation level' schools," Batavia Assistant Superintendent for Finance Kris Monn said.
A 10 percent cut would push four local districts -- Kaneland, Indian Prairie, Hinckley-Big Rock and Newark -- from that "foundation level" group into the middle group, where they'll get even less money.
Waiting to see
A cut to general state aid isn't the only part of school funding bracing for a hit.
By and large, schools get their money from two sources -- the state and local property taxes. The economy already has smacked down local property taxes.
School Superintendent Laurel Walker said the Plano School District was already looking at cuts in everything from staff to textbooks. The current estimate is they could save $400,000 from next year's budget by not updating technology, buildings, maintenance and textbooks. Another $300,000 could be saved by not replacing retiring employees.
But the cut Chapa LaVia fears would take another $1.3 million away from Plano's state funds.
"We would have to look at more cuts if that comes true," Walker said.
East Aurora, which got 45 percent of its budget from general state aid last year, is waiting for an official decision by the Legislature before it announces additional cuts.
"Once there's a decision made by the state, we'll make decisions accordingly," district spokesman Clayton Muhammad said.
____________________________________________________
Hey this is great!! This way we will all be a bunch of uneducated idiots and our politicians such as Ryan,Blago and Daley can keep stealing from us and we won't know any better!! The future looks great for us Americans!!! Don't try and raise our level of education allowing us to compete with the rest of the world instead take some away!!
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Post by brant on Feb 11, 2010 7:56:00 GMT -6
The referendum is coming but I still think that they'll be looking at consolidating and closing schools first. There's elementary schools that are underutilized (Owen and Peterson come to mind). IMO, Waubonsie has 3-5 years tops and that is sad. I'd expect to see Frontier gone too. We'll end up with 2 severely overcrowded high schools (MV and NV) and one in a ridiculous location preventing any logical boundaries. It sounds all doom and gloom but I do believe it to be true. Help![/quote]
________________________________________________________
It makes me sick but I fear it is all coming. Many people in the district including myself never saw this coming.
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 11, 2010 8:26:48 GMT -6
The referendum is coming but I still think that they'll be looking at consolidating and closing schools first. There's elementary schools that are underutilized (Owen and Peterson come to mind). IMO, Waubonsie has 3-5 years tops and that is sad. I'd expect to see Frontier gone too. We'll end up with 2 severely overcrowded high schools (MV and NV) and one in a ridiculous location preventing any logical boundaries. It sounds all doom and gloom but I do believe it to be true. Help! ________________________________________________________ It makes me sick but I fear it is all coming. Many people in the district including myself never saw this coming. [/quote] Many people are going to be stunned....have been trying to warn people for almost 2 years now...they have all been fed such lines of bull, this will be a shocker. I want to see if some of the ardent followers will still be there when it's their kid sent on a bus for 2 hours a day to go to a school that may not have the programs they want any more - or 35 student classrooms... The sad thing is that the SD now blames the state for everything- even pandering in the papers for people to call the state and complain. They need to look in the mirrors -- there are a group of people who caused this mess to be as bad as it is...this district was in better shape than almost all-- but chose to whiz away the monies they were given...and even borrowing against the generosity of the taxpayers here- building the money we gave into a bigger pile ( and significantly more debt) - only to spend it all where it was not needed. I hope before this is all over those responsible get called out for what they have done.. |
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 11, 2010 8:31:39 GMT -6
From the Beacon State set to cut funding for schools February 11, 2010 By PAUL DAILING pdailing@stmedianetwork.com Current negotiations in Springfield could result in 10 percent cuts to the state's school funding foundation level, meaning millions less in state aid to local schools. State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, an Aurora Democrat who chairs the Elementary and Secondary Education Appropriations Committee, said this week the state budget crisis will likely affect general state aid, lately the only consistent funding source from Springfield to local schools. RELATED STORIES • Oswego proposes trimming school personnel by 80 Estimated funding loss The approximate amounts local schools would lose if the state cuts its foundation school funding level by 10 percent: East Aurora: $7.1 million West Aurora: $6.8 million Batavia: $339,000 Geneva: $319,000 Hinckley-Big Rock: $51,000 Indian Prairie: $16.6 million Kaneland: $1.4 million Newark: $19,000 Newark High School: $11,000 Oswego: $8.6 million Plano: $1.3 million Sandwich: $1.5 million Somonauk: $592,000 St. Charles: $732,000 Yorkville: $265,000 Based on 2009-2010 ISBE General State Aid Entitlements "This has turned from the Mississippi to the Grand Canyon sort of thing," Chapa LaVia said of the funding gulch. While the state has stopped and started other payments to the schools during its current budget crisis, general state aid was the only part that continued uninterrupted. If Chapa LaVia is correct, that could change next year. "It looks like we're coming to some huge drops in general state aid," Chapa LaVia said. "It's looking like anywhere from $600 to $700 per-pupil drop." By law, districts must announce possible layoffs for the next school year by next month. Budget predictions so far have been based on the Illinois State Board of Education's proposed budget, which kept the foundation level the same. Chapa LaVia, however, is predicting a 10 percent cut for schools. "That just pulled the rug out from us and every other district," West Aurora School District spokesman Mike Chapin said. "We were marching forward under the assumption that the foundation level was the same." And the poorer the school district, the more this will hurt. Cut hurts poor most One use of the school funding foundation level is to break districts into three groups based on an area's wealth. In the bottom two groups -- where all the Fox Valley's schools fall -- the number is popped into complicated formulas that come up with the dollar amount a district gets for each student. Poorer districts get more per student. The wealthiest group, which includes the Barrington and New Trier schools, gets a flat per-student fee. So if all other factors remain the same as last year, a 10 percent reduction in the foundation level could cut more than $7.1 million from the low-income East Aurora School District's state aid, but only $732,000 from St. Charles schools. Locally, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and Yorkville fall in this middle group. The rest are "foundation level" districts, a group that includes the lion's share of Illinois' 871 school districts, State Board spokesman Mary Fergus said. "It's not going to be fun, but it's not going to be the crisis it is for some of the 'foundation level' schools," Batavia Assistant Superintendent for Finance Kris Monn said. A 10 percent cut would push four local districts -- Kaneland, Indian Prairie, Hinckley-Big Rock and Newark -- from that "foundation level" group into the middle group, where they'll get even less money. Waiting to see A cut to general state aid isn't the only part of school funding bracing for a hit. By and large, schools get their money from two sources -- the state and local property taxes. The economy already has smacked down local property taxes. School Superintendent Laurel Walker said the Plano School District was already looking at cuts in everything from staff to textbooks. The current estimate is they could save $400,000 from next year's budget by not updating technology, buildings, maintenance and textbooks. Another $300,000 could be saved by not replacing retiring employees. But the cut Chapa LaVia fears would take another $1.3 million away from Plano's state funds. "We would have to look at more cuts if that comes true," Walker said. East Aurora, which got 45 percent of its budget from general state aid last year, is waiting for an official decision by the Legislature before it announces additional cuts. "Once there's a decision made by the state, we'll make decisions accordingly," district spokesman Clayton Muhammad said. ____________________________________________________ Hey this is great!! This way we will all be a bunch of uneducated idiots and our politicians such as Ryan,Blago and Daley can keep stealing from us and we won't know any better!! The future looks great for us Americans!!! Don't try and raise our level of education allowing us to compete with the rest of the world instead take some away!! I see the admission to private schools getting to be even harder than it is now --today more than twice the number of students apply @ Benet / St Francis than thy can accept... So forget putting money away for college- you may need to spend it on HS and MS etc... all the while continuing to pay taxes for local schools as well. I cannot speak for other districts as I do not know the intricacies of their finances and how they have spent their monies over the last 5 years or so...but for 204... we wasted money to the tune of $150M that without wasting could have asked for some referendums to get us thru this..we chose to spend like the fat cats in Washington - so whatever we end up with we deserve -- especially those who voted these people in. |
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Post by casey on Feb 11, 2010 8:32:07 GMT -6
The referendum is coming but I still think that they'll be looking at consolidating and closing schools first. There's elementary schools that are underutilized (Owen and Peterson come to mind). IMO, Waubonsie has 3-5 years tops and that is sad. I'd expect to see Frontier gone too. We'll end up with 2 severely overcrowded high schools (MV and NV) and one in a ridiculous location preventing any logical boundaries. It sounds all doom and gloom but I do believe it to be true. Help! ________________________________________________________ It makes me sick but I fear it is all coming. Many people in the district including myself never saw this coming. [/quote] Come on, Brant, I don't want to pick on you but you're going tell me that you never saw this coming? I find it hard to believe that there's anyone who is as educated and involved in school district affairs as you have been to not see this coming. If that's truly the case then I'm glad you've finally seen the light  I only hope others are waking up to the message. I can't stand to sit and watch our SD blame this whole mess on the state of IL being behind on their funding. What an absolute joke! That's like sitting around and waiting to retire and then complaining that you have no money because the state's behind on paying social security. Don't count on social security and don't count on the state paying their money to school districts. The check's in the mail  , yeah, right. |
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Post by asmodeus on Feb 11, 2010 9:18:40 GMT -6
How so? Property values may be "smacked down," but the actual taxes are as big as ever.
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Post by macrockett on Feb 11, 2010 9:46:02 GMT -6
From the Beacon State set to cut funding for schools February 11, 2010 By PAUL DAILING pdailing@stmedianetwork.com Current negotiations in Springfield could result in 10 percent cuts to the state's school funding foundation level, meaning millions less in state aid to local schools. State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, an Aurora Democrat who chairs the Elementary and Secondary Education Appropriations Committee, said this week the state budget crisis will likely affect general state aid, lately the only consistent funding source from Springfield to local schools. RELATED STORIES • Oswego proposes trimming school personnel by 80 Estimated funding loss The approximate amounts local schools would lose if the state cuts its foundation school funding level by 10 percent: East Aurora: $7.1 million West Aurora: $6.8 million Batavia: $339,000 Geneva: $319,000 Hinckley-Big Rock: $51,000 Indian Prairie: $16.6 million Kaneland: $1.4 million Newark: $19,000 Newark High School: $11,000 Oswego: $8.6 million Plano: $1.3 million Sandwich: $1.5 million Somonauk: $592,000 St. Charles: $732,000 Yorkville: $265,000 Based on 2009-2010 ISBE General State Aid Entitlements "This has turned from the Mississippi to the Grand Canyon sort of thing," Chapa LaVia said of the funding gulch. While the state has stopped and started other payments to the schools during its current budget crisis, general state aid was the only part that continued uninterrupted. If Chapa LaVia is correct, that could change next year. "It looks like we're coming to some huge drops in general state aid," Chapa LaVia said. "It's looking like anywhere from $600 to $700 per-pupil drop." By law, districts must announce possible layoffs for the next school year by next month. Budget predictions so far have been based on the Illinois State Board of Education's proposed budget, which kept the foundation level the same. Chapa LaVia, however, is predicting a 10 percent cut for schools. "That just pulled the rug out from us and every other district," West Aurora School District spokesman Mike Chapin said. "We were marching forward under the assumption that the foundation level was the same." And the poorer the school district, the more this will hurt. Cut hurts poor most One use of the school funding foundation level is to break districts into three groups based on an area's wealth. In the bottom two groups -- where all the Fox Valley's schools fall -- the number is popped into complicated formulas that come up with the dollar amount a district gets for each student. Poorer districts get more per student. The wealthiest group, which includes the Barrington and New Trier schools, gets a flat per-student fee. So if all other factors remain the same as last year, a 10 percent reduction in the foundation level could cut more than $7.1 million from the low-income East Aurora School District's state aid, but only $732,000 from St. Charles schools. Locally, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and Yorkville fall in this middle group. The rest are "foundation level" districts, a group that includes the lion's share of Illinois' 871 school districts, State Board spokesman Mary Fergus said. "It's not going to be fun, but it's not going to be the crisis it is for some of the 'foundation level' schools," Batavia Assistant Superintendent for Finance Kris Monn said. A 10 percent cut would push four local districts -- Kaneland, Indian Prairie, Hinckley-Big Rock and Newark -- from that "foundation level" group into the middle group, where they'll get even less money. Waiting to see A cut to general state aid isn't the only part of school funding bracing for a hit. By and large, schools get their money from two sources -- the state and local property taxes. The economy already has smacked down local property taxes. School Superintendent Laurel Walker said the Plano School District was already looking at cuts in everything from staff to textbooks. The current estimate is they could save $400,000 from next year's budget by not updating technology, buildings, maintenance and textbooks. Another $300,000 could be saved by not replacing retiring employees. But the cut Chapa LaVia fears would take another $1.3 million away from Plano's state funds. "We would have to look at more cuts if that comes true," Walker said. East Aurora, which got 45 percent of its budget from general state aid last year, is waiting for an official decision by the Legislature before it announces additional cuts. "Once there's a decision made by the state, we'll make decisions accordingly," district spokesman Clayton Muhammad said. ____________________________________________________ Hey this is great!! This way we will all be a bunch of uneducated idiots and our politicians such as Ryan,Blago and Daley can keep stealing from us and we won't know any better!! The future looks great for us Americans!!! Don't try and raise our level of education allowing us to compete with the rest of the world instead take some away!! I had no idea this was going to happen. I mean there is only, at least, a 20 year trend pointing in this direction. Couldn't the State have given us more time to prepare for this unexpected surprise? Please.... One financial mistake after another. As for a referendum, I suggest everyone start telling the District that a yes vote will only come with the resignation of the Board and the Superintendent, as well as concessions by the union. The status quo should be unacceptable to everyone in this and every other district in the State. I must say, this would be a whole lot easier to stomach if we had not wasted close to $100 million to build more capacity than we will ever need. |
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Post by blankcheck on Feb 11, 2010 9:57:38 GMT -6
Hate to pick on the new person, but anyone in this district that did not see this coming better
stay away from the voting booth as fas as I'm concerned.
When I read the Sun article this morning, all I said to myself was this is a bunch of lies. Have not talked about a referendum????Yea right. Have not over spent???Yea right.
I am reminded of the lovely flyer that went out prior to the last referendum with the picture of the over crowded high school. Not even a high school in our district!!!
I have been talking about this for years. Be prepared people. Hense my name, "blankcheck".
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Post by brant on Feb 11, 2010 11:17:13 GMT -6
All right I guess I get what I deserve. Not stupid but overly optimistic. I was well aware we would have a major downfall in the economy but I forgot what we have had in Ryan, Blago etc. Illinois has always been one of the worst states in the Union for education (among other things) but North and West suburban Chicago has always been an oasis for education. And this district has always forked over money for schools. The next referendum will really be interesting. And yes Casey I have seen the light.
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Post by blankcheck on Feb 11, 2010 11:22:05 GMT -6
Excellent! Now you need (like the rest of us) to educate the other voters of this district. Talk to your friends, give them this web site to read and become informed. That is what we really need is informed voters getting out there and voicing their opinion at the voting booth!
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? You're not spending -- what the HELL is that $150M waste of money on Eola !!! 20 years of bond issues to keep us in debt forever for a few hundred seats that may have been needed ( although capacity for the freshman center set up was 8800-9000 which is more than we will ever have.
