Post by casey on Nov 29, 2011 19:58:44 GMT -6
Mandates might add $4.7 million to Indian Prairie deficit
By Erika Wurst ewurst@stmedianetwork.com November 29, 2011 12:30PM
Reprints1Updated: November 29, 2011 5:07PM
napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/9135928-418/mandates-might-add-47-million-to-indian-prairie-deficit.html#.TtV6ZL2gu_o.gmail
AURORA — Indian Prairie School Board members will have some tough decisions to make in the next few months on additional cuts to the district’s already tight budget.
This week, board members were told that in addition to the $3.5 million projected deficit for the 2012-2013 school year, state mandates are expected to add an unexpected $4.7 million to that already negative number.
State mandated changes to teacher and student evaluations and assessments, technology updates, curriculum and instruction updates and facilities maintenance projects are all slated to take place during the upcoming school year.
“Our budget has to be balanced against cuts that need to happen to adequately add these new (mandated) initiatives,” said Dave Holm, assistant superintendent for business.
Although official figures won’t be out for several months, board member Mark Rising said the district’s financial forecast is bleak.
“I’m almost physically ill looking at these numbers,” Rising said. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t sacrifice for this district, short of my family, but I feel like we’ve been sitting on our hands for the last year.”
Rising said administrators should have anticipated the implementation of state mandates a long time ago.
“The seven of us around this table have some big decisions to make over the next few months,” Rising said.
Board member Dawn DeSart said she also was shocked to hear the projected deficit number, especially after the recent approval of administrator raises.
“We just gave raises because we were told we had money to do so,” she said. “Now, just a few months later, we don’t?”
President Curt Bradshaw encouraged the angry board members to keep in mind that the district spends about 25 percent less per student than comparable districts in DuPage County. In the last three years alone, Bradshaw said Holm and his crew have found $30 million to cut from the budget in the form of energy management, residency verification and other cost-saving initiatives.
The board plans on soliciting teachers and residents for money-saving ideas. Staff members have already submitted more than 300 potential cost-cutting solutions. Board members will reach out to the public for input soon.
“Things are becoming more and more difficult at an exponential rate as we go forward,” Holm said.
A lack of timely state payments, required unfunded mandates and a reduction in grants have caused the situation to snowball.
Potential cuts will be presented to the board at a Dec. 19 special board meeting, Holm said.
By Erika Wurst ewurst@stmedianetwork.com November 29, 2011 12:30PM
Reprints1Updated: November 29, 2011 5:07PM
napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/9135928-418/mandates-might-add-47-million-to-indian-prairie-deficit.html#.TtV6ZL2gu_o.gmail
AURORA — Indian Prairie School Board members will have some tough decisions to make in the next few months on additional cuts to the district’s already tight budget.
This week, board members were told that in addition to the $3.5 million projected deficit for the 2012-2013 school year, state mandates are expected to add an unexpected $4.7 million to that already negative number.
State mandated changes to teacher and student evaluations and assessments, technology updates, curriculum and instruction updates and facilities maintenance projects are all slated to take place during the upcoming school year.
“Our budget has to be balanced against cuts that need to happen to adequately add these new (mandated) initiatives,” said Dave Holm, assistant superintendent for business.
Although official figures won’t be out for several months, board member Mark Rising said the district’s financial forecast is bleak.
“I’m almost physically ill looking at these numbers,” Rising said. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t sacrifice for this district, short of my family, but I feel like we’ve been sitting on our hands for the last year.”
Rising said administrators should have anticipated the implementation of state mandates a long time ago.
“The seven of us around this table have some big decisions to make over the next few months,” Rising said.
Board member Dawn DeSart said she also was shocked to hear the projected deficit number, especially after the recent approval of administrator raises.
“We just gave raises because we were told we had money to do so,” she said. “Now, just a few months later, we don’t?”
President Curt Bradshaw encouraged the angry board members to keep in mind that the district spends about 25 percent less per student than comparable districts in DuPage County. In the last three years alone, Bradshaw said Holm and his crew have found $30 million to cut from the budget in the form of energy management, residency verification and other cost-saving initiatives.
The board plans on soliciting teachers and residents for money-saving ideas. Staff members have already submitted more than 300 potential cost-cutting solutions. Board members will reach out to the public for input soon.
“Things are becoming more and more difficult at an exponential rate as we go forward,” Holm said.
A lack of timely state payments, required unfunded mandates and a reduction in grants have caused the situation to snowball.
Potential cuts will be presented to the board at a Dec. 19 special board meeting, Holm said.
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