|
|
Post by EagleDad on Feb 20, 2010 9:47:16 GMT -6
This email was sent to the parents (not children or teachers) in District 203 yesterday. Note the difference in style, encouraging the parents to work with local representatives. Also note that Mark gives the District 203 parents real numbers, including the average # of days in arrears over multiple years and the average amount in arrears, again over multiple years. The fact is the state is always in arrears, by varying amounts and varying days throughout history. This is an inconvenient truth however when one is selling panic and hyperbole to children and teachers. It is also difficult to explain to kindergartners and first graders the concept of arrears on a sign. That said, the state budget problems are very serious, I do not mean to downplay them. I don't think the solution lies in yelling at our legislators to send money that doesn't exist. I do believe it does involve encouraging them to seriously attempt to overhaul our state budget focusing on doing so without raising taxes, and taking a serious long look at the most underfunded pension system in the country.
With every passing day that the General Assembly delays addressing its budget woes, the woes of Illinois school districts becomes more pronounced. Our state has now achieved the dubious distinction of ranking 50th in terms of indebtedness, surpassing even California.
The situation is compounded by the creation of new programs by the General Assembly without adequate funding. We now have 105 unfunded or underfunded mandates that have been imposed on districts by the General Assembly. In addition, those in power have compounded the problem by borrowing money from one budget area, such as pension funds, and not repaying it later.
The net effect for District 203 is as follows:
Fiscal Year 2009
Average # of days delay in receiving funding - 90
Average amount in arrears - $3,610,111
Fiscal Year 2010
Average # of days delay in receiving funding - 103
Average amount in arrears - $4,333,648
In addition, potential State reductions are as follows:
Elimination of all non-mandated categoricals - $1,200,000
Elimination of Alternative & Flat General State Aid - $7,200,000
Roll back of GSA foundation increase - $250,000
The cumulative impact of past money owed and paid late, not paid at all, and/or of future reductions may accumulate to a budget reduction of approximately $8 – 11 million for District 203. This situation will not end soon. There is little indication from the General Assembly or the senior leadership in Springfield that they have any real idea of how to realistically solve this situation.
Our leadership team is currently working to review all areas of the District budget where further operational reductions in spending might be made. We are delaying expenditures in the areas of technology and special programs, and will be studying program efficiencies over the next 30 to 60 days. Additionally, it should be noted that the District made $3.5 million in reductions just last year.
The Board and District are committed to protecting the long term financial health of the District, and as such are also committed to protecting the budget reserves. These are the District’s savings accounts and must be preserved.
It is inevitable that despite the best efforts of all concerned, we will face the reality of some type of staff Reduction-in-Force. To date, no final decisions have been made and we will do everything in our power to mitigate a wholesale reduction in staff. Within the next few weeks, and prior to the March 15 Board meeting, a series of recommendations will be brought forward to address the issues we face.
Finally, we have made concerted efforts with local legislators to address our concerns and engage their support in helping us. They are acutely aware of our needs and those of other school districts, but they are also very clear that the issues that plague this state are a direct result of the actions or lack thereof of the most senior leadership in the House and by the Governor. If there is a place to focus your concerns, those offices would be a good place to start.
Mark A. Mitrovich
Superintendent of Schools
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact information for your local legislators and other General Assembly leaders may be found at: www.naperville203.org/assets/IllinoisStateLegislators.pdf
To find out in which legislative district you reside - as well as your elected Illinois State Representative and Senator - visit the Illinois Legislator Lookup website at www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx?NavLink=1
|
|
|
|
Post by doctorwho on Feb 20, 2010 10:03:01 GMT -6
The difference in professionalism is mind boggling.
Also we never get 'real' numbers here, only trickle out what has been scoured over first.
|
|
|
|
Post by blankcheck on Feb 20, 2010 10:20:22 GMT -6
I have a friend downstate who lives in a very rural school district. The state owes them around
200,000 (a small amount compared to us). To them, this money is their lifeline.
So what does the state do? You have state universities all the way down to the smallest school districts all begging for their piece of the pie. This is NOT something that happened overnight. Shame on our legislative leaders all the way down to our local school boards for not having the for site to see this coming.
If the state claims bankruptcy, then what? All the bills go unpaid. Then what do these institutions do? Come back for more taxes? Raise tuition rates so that families can't afford our schools? Raise school fees? .......
We are in a huge mess. One of our democratic leaders said they would love to pay out, but there is no money to use. I think that is a huge statement that all the leaders from the universities on down the pike better be really aware of.
|
|
|
|
Post by macrockett on Feb 20, 2010 11:19:24 GMT -6
This email was sent to the parents (not children or teachers) in District 203 yesterday. Note the difference in style, encouraging the parents to work with local representatives. Also note that Mark gives the District 203 parents real numbers, including the average # of days in arrears over multiple years and the average amount in arrears, again over multiple years. The fact is the state is always in arrears, by varying amounts and varying days throughout history. This is an inconvenient truth however when one is selling panic and hyperbole to children and teachers. It is also difficult to explain to kindergartners and first graders the concept of arrears on a sign. That said, the state budget problems are very serious, I do not mean to downplay them. I don't think the solution lies in yelling at our legislators to send money that doesn't exist. I do believe it does involve encouraging them to seriously attempt to overhaul our state budget focusing on doing so without raising taxes, and taking a serious long look at the most underfunded pension system in the country.
With every passing day that the General Assembly delays addressing its budget woes, the woes of Illinois school districts becomes more pronounced. Our state has now achieved the dubious distinction of ranking 50th in terms of indebtedness, surpassing even California.
The situation is compounded by the creation of new programs by the General Assembly without adequate funding. We now have 105 unfunded or underfunded mandates that have been imposed on districts by the General Assembly. In addition, those in power have compounded the problem by borrowing money from one budget area, such as pension funds, and not repaying it later.
The net effect for District 203 is as follows:
Fiscal Year 2009
Average # of days delay in receiving funding - 90
Average amount in arrears - $3,610,111
Fiscal Year 2010
Average # of days delay in receiving funding - 103
Average amount in arrears - $4,333,648
In addition, potential State reductions are as follows:
Elimination of all non-mandated categoricals - $1,200,000
Elimination of Alternative & Flat General State Aid - $7,200,000
Roll back of GSA foundation increase - $250,000
The cumulative impact of past money owed and paid late, not paid at all, and/or of future reductions may accumulate to a budget reduction of approximately $8 – 11 million for District 203. This situation will not end soon. There is little indication from the General Assembly or the senior leadership in Springfield that they have any real idea of how to realistically solve this situation.
Our leadership team is currently working to review all areas of the District budget where further operational reductions in spending might be made. We are delaying expenditures in the areas of technology and special programs, and will be studying program efficiencies over the next 30 to 60 days. Additionally, it should be noted that the District made $3.5 million in reductions just last year.
The Board and District are committed to protecting the long term financial health of the District, and as such are also committed to protecting the budget reserves. These are the District’s savings accounts and must be preserved.
It is inevitable that despite the best efforts of all concerned, we will face the reality of some type of staff Reduction-in-Force. To date, no final decisions have been made and we will do everything in our power to mitigate a wholesale reduction in staff. Within the next few weeks, and prior to the March 15 Board meeting, a series of recommendations will be brought forward to address the issues we face.
Finally, we have made concerted efforts with local legislators to address our concerns and engage their support in helping us. They are acutely aware of our needs and those of other school districts, but they are also very clear that the issues that plague this state are a direct result of the actions or lack thereof of the most senior leadership in the House and by the Governor. If there is a place to focus your concerns, those offices would be a good place to start.
Mark A. Mitrovich
Superintendent of Schools
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact information for your local legislators and other General Assembly leaders may be found at: www.naperville203.org/assets/IllinoisStateLegislators.pdf
To find out in which legislative district you reside - as well as your elected Illinois State Representative and Senator - visit the Illinois Legislator Lookup website at www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx?NavLink=1
I agree Eagledad, but as I have alluded to with the two threads I continue to add to, the problem is much more serious that most can imagine. Illinois government is dysfunctional, incompetent and/or self serving. Are there good people in Springfield? Of course. But they are a small minority in my opinion, without a voice and the problems span both parties. As I have stated numerous times, it's the public pensions and health care benefits that will suck the State dry. The series by the Sun Times last fall was excellent. I posted it all in the Pension thread. The double dipping pension benefits by various muni and state pols also adds to the huge hole. Here is a Tribune Editorial on offices and positions that can be cut (precluding a pension issue in those cases): winsome.cnchost.com/MAC/DownsizeIllinois.pdfAlso, Dan Profit had a couple of good articles on the pensions as well: www.proft2010.com/news-room/contentview.asp?c=190906www.proft2010.com/news-room/contentview.asp?c=190703Bottom line, Illinois will be on the critical list unless and until this issue is addressed and the law changed, period. Is Darlene Senger a beneficiary of this system? Are the Wheatland Township Trustees? What do you think? |
|
|
|
Post by doctorwho on Feb 20, 2010 12:30:49 GMT -6
I have a friend downstate who lives in a very rural school district. The state owes them around 200,000 (a small amount compared to us). To them, this money is their lifeline. So what does the state do? You have state universities all the way down to the smallest school districts all begging for their piece of the pie. This is NOT something that happened overnight. Shame on our legislative leaders all the way down to our local school boards for not having the for site to see this coming. If the state claims bankruptcy, then what? All the bills go unpaid. Then what do these institutions do? Come back for more taxes? Raise tuition rates so that families can't afford our schools? Raise school fees? ....... We are in a huge mess. One of our democratic leaders said they would love to pay out, but there is no money to use. I think that is a huge statement that all the leaders from the universities on down the pike better be really aware of. Illinois has been run corruptly by the Madigan Gang for 30+ years- and we are paying the price now. We have watched as industry has left the state due to the costs of unions- McCormick Place is serious trouble when you have to charge someone $800 to turn on the lights in the AM because the unions have a stranglehold on that place also.. old time poster here 'cantretirehere' had the right idea long ago... I look at what I pay for property taxes - mostly schools- then because of many reasons well documented here I am paying $9000 a year for a private education anyway. As soon as my daughter signs with a school, I am gone from 204. Will consider moving to wherever she goes to school for a few years as my job is done from home so where I live matters not. Looking seriously this summer in Florida ( Tennessee also on future look see list)- as one can't retire here. Between our leaders in Springfield and the sad leadership in 204 - they have spent us into bankruptcy in the future. I see on another site where some people still projecting population increase in 204 -- denial in full swing. Can't sell homes here now- even with 30% loss in value due to high taxes, just wait until the rest of these bond issues kick in. And people will pay similar or potentially more $ to live in 204 vs 203 with the history of results ? Really ? Has anyone looked at one of those foreclosure maps lately ? Increase the personal income tax and federal income tax and you can add to those. I think both are in for declines..it's just the people and leaders in one are realistic about it, the others are still making stuff up. |
|
|
|
Post by twhl on Feb 20, 2010 12:52:01 GMT -6
The difference in professionalism is mind boggling. Also we never get 'real' numbers here, only trickle out what has been scoured over first. A friend of mine use to refer to this as "selective transparency" |
|
|
|
Post by Arch on Feb 20, 2010 13:01:30 GMT -6
The difference in professionalism is mind boggling. Also we never get 'real' numbers here, only trickle out what has been scoured over first. A friend of mine use to refer to this as "selective transparency"The mantra known by those that only know spin and misplaced loyalty instead of actuals. |
|
|
|
Post by brant on Feb 20, 2010 16:03:39 GMT -6
I have a friend downstate who lives in a very rural school district. The state owes them around 200,000 (a small amount compared to us). To them, this money is their lifeline. So what does the state do? You have state universities all the way down to the smallest school districts all begging for their piece of the pie. This is NOT something that happened overnight. Shame on our legislative leaders all the way down to our local school boards for not having the for site to see this coming. If the state claims bankruptcy, then what? All the bills go unpaid. Then what do these institutions do? Come back for more taxes? Raise tuition rates so that families can't afford our schools? Raise school fees? ....... We are in a huge mess. One of our democratic leaders said they would love to pay out, but there is no money to use. I think that is a huge statement that all the leaders from the universities on down the pike better be really aware of. Illinois has been run corruptly by the Madigan Gang for 30+ years- and we are paying the price now. We have watched as industry has left the state due to the costs of unions- McCormick Place is serious trouble when you have to charge someone $800 to turn on the lights in the AM because the unions have a stranglehold on that place also.. old time poster here 'cantretirehere' had the right idea long ago... I look at what I pay for property taxes - mostly schools- then because of many reasons well documented here I am paying $9000 a year for a private education anyway. As soon as my daughter signs with a school, I am gone from 204. Will consider moving to wherever she goes to school for a few years as my job is done from home so where I live matters not. Looking seriously this summer in Florida ( Tennessee also on future look see list)- as one can't retire here. Between our leaders in Springfield and the sad leadership in 204 - they have spent us into bankruptcy in the future. I see on another site where some people still projecting population increase in 204 -- denial in full swing. Can't sell homes here now- even with 30% loss in value due to high taxes, just wait until the rest of these bond issues kick in. And people will pay similar or potentially more $ to live in 204 vs 203 with the history of results ? Really ? Has anyone looked at one of those foreclosure maps lately ? Increase the personal income tax and federal income tax and you can add to those. I think both are in for declines..it's just the people and leaders in one are realistic about it, the others are still making stuff up. I will be out of here when my WV freshman graduates. I have put a lot of money into my home but now I know I will never get what I put into it and will sell at a loss. Ashwood will never develop. Housing values plummeting and will never be what they were. The state of Illinois has been as bad as our SB. |
|
