IPSD Layoffs- No accountability from our 'leaders'

[doctorwho]

Someone please ask Birkett/ Holm and Curt how they feel about their $155M school now - sitting at 2/3 capacity- all it will ever be..and their plans to close other buildings. These 'leader' refuse to take any owenrship for the mess we are in. Two of the main architects of disaster are no longer in public eye - all taxpayers should remember to thank them for the upcoming huge referendum.


www.wgntv.com/news/local/breaking/chi-west-suburban-school-considers-layoff-20120213,0,7005310.story

West suburban school district considers 110 layoffs


West Suburban school considers layoffs (February 13, 2012)

780 Shoreline Dr, Aurora, IL 60504, USA
By Jack McCarthy

Special to the Tribune
8:29 p.m. CST, February 13, 2012
West suburban Indian Prairie District 204 could lay off more than 100 staff members as part of a plan to close a projected $8.6 million deficit for next year.

In a presentation to the Indian Prairie board on Monday, district officials said they hope to realize up to $9.4 million through cuts of up to 110 staffers, plus new student fees, operational efficiencies and selected program reductions for the 2012-13 school year.

No board action was taken on Monday.

"It's not an easy process," said District 204 Superintendent Kathy Birkett. "All the low-hanging fruit is gone, we're into the tree and now we're cutting into the trunk."

Indian Prairie, which includes large portions of Aurora and Naperville, has an enrollment of 29,900 students plus 3,127 staff, including 2,136 teachers and certified staff.

Before cuts, the district projects 2012-13 spending of $297 million on revenues of $289 million.

The district had previously cut a cumulative $30.4 million from budgets over the last three fiscal years.

"We have in the past increased class size, increased fees, we eliminated 145 certified position, we've had a salary freeze and it goes on and on and on," Birkett said.

The proposed blueprint seeks $6.2 million in personnel cuts, including eliminating 55 non-certified staff, 54 certified staff and four administrators. The plan also calls for cutting substitute teacher use, reducing stipends and encouraging unspecified retirement options.

It also calls for a $1.4 million reduction in lower level high school and extracurricular offerings.

A total of $1.1 million in new revenue would come partly through hiking middle school and high school athletic fees and raising technology and pre-school fees.

Other cost saving measures would include closing 15 school buildings in July to save energy costs and reduce supervisory personnel in among contractual custodial staff.

It will also close the district's Frontier campus, which offered high achieving high school seniors dual credit programs with College of DuPage.

Budget concerns already forced College of DuPage to withdraw from Frontier and District 204 officials determined it could not cover all costs alone. Instead, DuPage will continue to collaborate with the district with dual credit opportunities at its three campuses.

[e-mail]

[casey]

Here's some more spin:

Dear District 204 Community,

I shared with you in December that planning for our 2012-13 budget was challenging as we need to cut $8.6 million to achieve a balanced budget for next year. This is in addition to the $30.4 million we had to cut over the past several years in order to maintain a balanced budget.

What is frustrating for us is that the continued budget challenges we face are from state funding issues beyond our control. District 204 operates with the lowest operating expense per pupil and with significantly fewer administrators than any district in DuPage County. As a district that already operates "lean," we reached out to our staff and our community for suggestions on ways to save money. More than 550 suggestions were received and reviewed by administrators and the Citizens Financial Advisory Committee.

At Monday night's Board of Education meeting, administrators presented proposed budget cuts to reach a balanced budget. In reviewing all the suggestions, the goal was to control the impact to the classroom. Some of our suggestions are operational efficiencies, such as reducing custodial staffing and closing some buildings in July to save energy costs.

We are also looking at reducing our clerical and support staff by 6.3 percent, reducing our administrators by 4.6 percent, and a 2.6 percent reduction in our teaching staff. Reducing some lower-level athletic programs and extra-curricular offerings are also planned.

College of DuPage officials notified us that due to their own budget concerns, they will no longer be able to participate in our Frontier Campus program, which offers dual credit opportunities to seniors in an off-campus college setting. We have always shared all costs related to the program, and we will not be able to pay facility expenses ourselves. Instead, the program will be modified to offer students dual credit opportunities in their own high schools.

While these are our first recommendations, we have more work to do. Over the coming months we will need to work on implementation plans for the items the board approves. We will continue to communicate with you as we move forward.

More information on the district's budget, including the presentation materials from Monday night, is available at 2012-13 Budget. The video of the budget presentation will be posted on 204tv.org on Tuesday, February 14.

Sincerely,

Kathy Birkett
Superintendent

[casey]

Budget Information for 2012-13
Dear District 204 Community,



We've created this portion of our site so our community can stay informed and easily find information related to the district's budget as we plan for 2012-13.



Although we are a district that operates below the state average for expense per pupil, we are facing financial challenges as we plan next year's budget. The state's funding formula is designed so the more a district receives in property taxes, the less it receives in state funding. District 204 receives less revenue from property taxes per pupil than some surrounding districts. Therefore, we rely on the state for 13.25 percent of our budget. Over the past several years, the budget turmoil in Springfield has negatively impacted our district. During that time, we've had to cut $30.4 million from our operating budget in order to maintain a balanced budget. We have tried to do so with minimal impact to our students.



When we look at next year's budget, we are forecasted to have an $8.6 million deficit. This includes deferred projects that have been placed on hold for budget reasons over the past several years, including curriculum and technology needs. It also includes new unfunded mandates from Springfield that require changes to how school districts evaluate teachers and assess students.



In order to achieve a balanced budget next year we need to cut our budget once again. With each round of budget cuts over the past several years, we have tried to stay as far away from the classroom as possible. We are at the point where that is no longer possible. Administrators have prepared a list of possible reductions to the Board of Education. Our board has the very difficult decision of deciding how to balance the budget, keeping in mind what is best for our students.



I want to remind you that you can watch budget videos from the board of education meetings at www.204tv.org. We will continue update this page as we move forward in the budget process.



Sincerely,

Kathy Birkett

Superintendent

[casey]

Some of the quick highlights of the district's plan:

Revenue Enhancements/Fees
ƒÞUse IDEA one-time carryover monies used for supplemental expenditures for technology, PD, etc.
ƒÞIncrease oversight of staff input for allowable Medicaid services
ƒÞSpecific fee increases:
ƒÞAthletics / Activities Ex:MS athletics $100 $125
HS athletics $160 $200
ƒÞTechnology$40 $50
ƒÞPreschool tuition increase$10

Staffing Reductions
ƒÞAdjust summer school ESY staff
ƒÞDecrease substitute use
ƒÞReduce stipends
ƒÞEncourage retirement options
ƒÞStaffing reductions:
ƒÞClassified/non-bargaining staff6.6%
ƒÞAdministrators4.6%
ƒÞCertified staff2.6%

Classified / Non-bargaining staff 58.3 FTE (6.6%)
Elementary 25.1 FTE
Secondary 20.5 FTE
CEC 2.7 FTE
District-wide10.0 FTE
Administrators 4.0 FTE (4.6%)
Certified staff54.7 FTE (2.6%)
Elementary 24.0 FTE
Secondary 28.7 FTE
CEC 2.0 FTE

Program Reductions
ƒÞClose Frontier Campus and relocate dual-credit concept to high schools
ƒÞReduce student out-placements by restructuring Indian Plains
ƒÞReduce secondary athletics and extra curricular activity offerings

Operational Efficiencies
Close selected schools during July to save energy cost
Reduce contractual custodial staffing
Change website video streaming service
Renegotiate parent communication service
Change location of high school graduation
Reduce general budget
Reduce printing costs
Negotiate savings from Cisco project partnership

[EagleDad]

Sun article:

napervillesun.suntimes.com/10635734-417/indian-prairie-schools-facing-more-staffing-cuts.html

Indian Prairie School District 204 is looking at more staff cuts as one of the state’s largest school districts continues to face budget shortfalls. District 204 serves nearly 29,000 students in Aurora and Naperville.

The district is looking to reduce its clerical and support staff by 6.3 percent, reducing the number of its administrators by 4.6 percent, and cutting its teaching staff by 2.6 percent, according to a letter from Supt. Kathy Birkett that was posted on the district Web site last night.

The district is also looking to cut back on some lower-level athletic programs and extra-curricular activities.

The cuts were outlined at Monday night’s School Board meeting where administrators presented the plan as a way of reaching a balanced budget.

“What is frustrating for us is that the continued budget challenges we face are from state funding issues beyond our control. District 204 operates with the lowest operating expense per pupil and with significantly fewer administrators than any district in DuPage County, “ Birkett stated in her letter.
“As a district that already operates ‘lean’, we reached out to our staff and our community for suggestions on ways to save money,” she wrote.

District 204 officials received more than 550 suggestions how ways to resolved the budget crisis and those suggestions were reviewed by administrators and the Citizens Financial Advisory Committee.

[EagleDad]

“What is frustrating for us is that the continued budget challenges we face are from state funding issues beyond our control. District 204 operates with the lowest operating expense per pupil and with significantly fewer administrators than any district in DuPage County, “ Birkett stated in her letter.

"issues beyond our control" my ass. No Kathy, "what is frustrating" is that you don't clearly account for the real cause in any way, building a questionable $155 Million high school that costs an incremental $2.5-5M/yr to operate without the supporting revenues, and that you continue to attempt to shift blame to the state.

As you do the cuts, remember the blood on your hands is of your own making. At least live up to it and take responsibility like an adult.

[casey]

Kudos to the district for making a decent start. There are some good ideas here and every little bit helps though there's still a long way to go.

I do get concerned though about the rising costs of athletic participation fees - middle school fees rising from $100 to $125 and high school fees from $160 to $200? These are substantial increases and will cause some kids to drop out. Regardless of what the district and admin wants to say I do think there have been kids forced out of athletics due to these increases. Some parents who are just scraping by simply can't justify paying for sports. All this at a time when drug use is increasing. Kids need to be involved in extracurricular activities and we're now making it harder.

Why it's always athletics that take the brunt of the increased costs? I don't see it mentioned here that music and theater activity costs will increase. Maybe they will but I don't see it noted. How do these activity costs compare to sports? In other words does a kid who plays in the orchestra or band pay a $200 or so cost just to join? What about a kid involved in plays and theater? I'm not picking on these two groups but if you're going to charge more for sports why not charge more for music and theater?

Also, preschool tuition increase is $10? Doesn't that seem incredibly low? Off the top of my head I don't know what parents pay for 204 preschool but I do know every time my child's private preschool cost went up, it sure increased by more than $10 a month. Dumb question but do the preschools make money for the district or are they a "cost center"? I know they are provided free to special education kids and I'm not discounting their value simply wondering if the regular ed preschool population cover the cost of the program? Let's face it the private preschools aren't providing their educational services for free. Also, are the rates at 204 preschools competitive with the private preschools?

Wondering how they determine which schools will close in July? To be honest, I've always wondered why all schools are open year-round anyway? Is that really necessary? I can understand if there is summer school but beyond that why does a building need to be open 5 days a week? Maybe for the buildings not hosting summer school just open one day a week in the summer slow time?

Can't help but wonder what sports and extra curricular activities are considered secondary and will be reduced? For the kids involved in these there's nothing secondary about them. Let's face it, not every kid is a stand-out or involved in the primary sports (I'd think that would be volleyball, soccer, basketball, football) but for the kid that's an amazing bowler or water polo player, we will just decide that your sport is no longer important? Recognize that I don't know what sports are considered secondary so I used bowling and water polo just as an example - that does not mean those are ones the district is looking at eliminating - I don't know what those are! My point is though I don't know how one can decide that primary sports are more important than secondary ones. Again, I worry about kids being forced out of activities and sports that they participate in.

[doctorwho]

Feb 14, 2012 11:09:12 GMT -6 casey said:

Kudos to the district for making a decent start. There are some good ideas here and every little bit helps though there's still a long way to go.

I do get concerned though about the rising costs of athletic participation fees - middle school fees rising from $100 to $125 and high school fees from $160 to $200? These are substantial increases and will cause some kids to drop out. Regardless of what the district and admin wants to say I do think there have been kids forced out of athletics due to these increases. Some parents who are just scraping by simply can't justify paying for sports. All this at a time when drug use is increasing. Kids need to be involved in extracurricular activities and we're now making it harder.

Why it's always athletics that take the brunt of the increased costs? I don't see it mentioned here that music and theater activity costs will increase. Maybe they will but I don't see it noted. How do these activity costs compare to sports? In other words does a kid who plays in the orchestra or band pay a $200 or so cost just to join? What about a kid involved in plays and theater? I'm not picking on these two groups but if you're going to charge more for sports why not charge more for music and theater?

Also, preschool tuition increase is $10? Doesn't that seem incredibly low? Off the top of my head I don't know what parents pay for 204 preschool but I do know every time my child's private preschool cost went up, it sure increased by more than $10 a month. Dumb question but do the preschools make money for the district or are they a "cost center"? I know they are provided free to special education kids and I'm not discounting their value simply wondering if the regular ed preschool population cover the cost of the program? Let's face it the private preschools aren't providing their educational services for free. Also, are the rates at 204 preschools competitive with the private preschools?

Wondering how they determine which schools will close in July? To be honest, I've always wondered why all schools are open year-round anyway? Is that really necessary? I can understand if there is summer school but beyond that why does a building need to be open 5 days a week? Maybe for the buildings not hosting summer school just open one day a week in the summer slow time?

Can't help but wonder what sports and extra curricular activities are considered secondary and will be reduced? For the kids involved in these there's nothing secondary about them. Let's face it, not every kid is a stand-out or involved in the primary sports (I'd think that would be volleyball, soccer, basketball, football) but for the kid that's an amazing bowler or water polo player, we will just decide that your sport is no longer important? Recognize that I don't know what sports are considered secondary so I used bowling and water polo just as an example - that does not mean those are ones the district is looking at eliminating - I don't know what those are! My point is though I don't know how one can decide that primary sports are more important than secondary ones. Again, I worry about kids being forced out of activities and sports that they participate in.

The last time they looked at this my understanding was this meant reducing number of teams.
For instance volleuyball today has 2 freshman 1 soph 1 jv and a varsity team. A club sport like volleyball / soccer/ basketball etc- the kids playing varsity level play all year round for the most part. They are easily identifiable freshman year.
So maybe you have a freshman , JV and varsity team. Even if a school is really loaded it's likely all you need. Our school put 8 of 10 seniors into college ball this year and only had 3 teams.
Yes it sucks for those kids who just want to play for fun...I understand, bu tthis district has spent it's way into this mess.

Also they better be coordinating this with the upstate 8-- so that there is some commonality amonst school team for playing schedules- as long as we don't put the bus lady on this too it can be worked out.

For what we pay we will now get this, and a shiny new building in the north 40 ? Sucks !

What next- split shifts ?

[doctorwho]

Feb 14, 2012 9:59:35 GMT -6 casey said:

Budget Information for 2012-13
Dear District 204 Community,



We've created this portion of our site so our community can stay informed and easily find information related to the district's budget as we plan for 2012-13.



Although we are a district that operates below the state average for expense per pupil, we are facing financial challenges as we plan next year's budget. The state's funding formula is designed so the more a district receives in property taxes, the less it receives in state funding. District 204 receives less revenue from property taxes per pupil than some surrounding districts. Therefore, we rely on the state for 13.25 percent of our budget. Over the past several years, the budget turmoil in Springfield has negatively impacted our district. During that time, we've had to cut $30.4 million from our operating budget in order to maintain a balanced budget. We have tried to do so with minimal impact to our students.



When we look at next year's budget, we are forecasted to have an $8.6 million deficit. This includes deferred projects that have been placed on hold for budget reasons over the past several years, including curriculum and technology needs. It also includes new unfunded mandates from Springfield that require changes to how school districts evaluate teachers and assess students.



In order to achieve a balanced budget next year we need to cut our budget once again. With each round of budget cuts over the past several years, we have tried to stay as far away from the classroom as possible. We are at the point where that is no longer possible. Administrators have prepared a list of possible reductions to the Board of Education. Our board has the very difficult decision of deciding how to balance the budget, keeping in mind what is best for our students.



I want to remind you that you can watch budget videos from the board of education meetings at www.204tv.org. We will continue update this page as we move forward in the budget process.



Sincerely,

Kathy Birkett

Superintendent

Any bets on the first ES to be recommended shuttered ? Watts or Owen ?

How long before Waubonsie becomes the 'older powerplant' once again -- 5 years ? When the significant downturn in population now in ES hits HS- this has always been the plan - and there are charts to prove it that longtimers here have seen posted

[macrockett]

All I can say about this latest round of cuts is... well let me show you my "shocked face"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=srw3RdiIlrQ

[macrockett]

Feb 14, 2012 10:40:25 GMT -6 EagleDad said:

“What is frustrating for us is that the continued budget challenges we face are from state funding issues beyond our control. District 204 operates with the lowest operating expense per pupil and with significantly fewer administrators than any district in DuPage County, “ Birkett stated in her letter.

"issues beyond our control" my ass. No Kathy, "what is frustrating" is that you don't clearly account for the real cause in any way, building a questionable $155 Million high school that costs an incremental $2.5-5M/yr to operate without the supporting revenues, and that you continue to attempt to shift blame to the state.

As you do the cuts, remember the blood on your hands is of your own making. At least live up to it and take responsibility like an adult.

I think I know what the problem was ED. To demonstrate my point, I made a movie. It stars Kevin Costner as Kathy Birkett (he was the only actor available on such short notice). Here's the trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHTsQ9qePrQ

[macrockett]

Feb 14, 2012 11:09:12 GMT -6 casey said:

Wondering how they determine which schools will close in July?

I heard about three years ago that Fry would be first. I can remember admin and certain Board members saying then that they didn't need us ...er Fry any more. We...er Fry was just more trouble than it was worth.

[EagleDad]

Daily Herald article:

www.dailyherald.com/article/20120214/news/702149789/

ndian Prairie Unit District 204 is bracing for $9.4 million in budget cuts next year that may include laying off about 114 teachers, support staff members and administrators along with raising student fees, eliminating some athletic programs and extracurricular offerings, and closing the district’s Frontier Campus.

Officials are hopeful the district can absorb the layoffs by rehiring staff to fill jobs vacated by retiring employees, much as it did in 2011 when the district cut more than $20 million from its budget.

ADVERTISEMENT

Still, Superintendent Kathy Birkett told school board members Monday the process will be painful. “All the low hanging fruit is gone,” she said. “Now, we’re into the tree and we’re starting to get into the trunk.”

The cuts are necessary because of increased costs caused by sweeping changes in the way children will be taught and educators evaluated as required by Common Core standards adopted by Illinois and other states across the nation.

Implementation will be quick with curriculum changes in District 204 adopted next year and children in Illinois tested on the new standards in the 2014-2015 school year. The changes also call for teachers and principals to be evaluated on student achievement.

“Because of all the initiatives that have come out of Springfield and Common Core, which is going to be great for our kids … we have to spend some money,” Birkett said.

Staff members said about $5 million in expenditures on technology, evaluations, assessments, curriculum, instruction and facilities will be required next year as the district rolls out the changes.

Those costs will be added to a deficit projected at a total $8.6 million for fiscal 2013.

Technology was the highest cost at $2.7 million, but will pay for a system that can better track student achievement and measure growth.

For instance, schools will be able to track a specific student’s growth in an area like reading and tie it to a particular teacher such as a reading specialist.

Technology costs also will cover the replacement of old computers and allow the district to purchase some classroom materials that in the past might have come in the form of a textbook.

“It’s probably the largest curriculum rewrite in the history of the district,” said Jay Strang, assistant superintendent.

District 204 board members, who will take action on the proposed cuts in upcoming meetings, mostly praised district staffers for their work.

“There is no district better at doing more with less than District 204,” President Curt Bradshaw said.

He cited the district’s continued improvement on test scores despite having a lean budget.

Over the past three years, the district has cut a total of about $30 million from its budget by increasing class sizes, eliminating 145 teaching positions, freezing salaries and pinching pennies in other ways like not watering school lawns. The district serves about 29,900 students in Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield with a staff of about 3,100.

In fiscal 2013, the district anticipates bringing in about $289.5 million and spending about $297 million, necessitating the cuts to create a balanced budget, said Dave Holm, assistant superintendent. In fiscal 2012, the district expects to spend about $285 million.

Possible staffing reductions next year would include about 55 certified staff such as teachers, 55 non-bargaining employees and four administrators. Reductions in the district will be announced before spring break.

District officials declined to detail what extracurricular programs and sports might be cut, saying they first wanted to talk to students and teachers affected. But officials did say those serving the fewest students would be considered.

Meanwhile, proposed fee increases were detailed. Middle school athletes would pay $125 up from $100, with high school athletes’ costs increasing to $200 from $160. The technology fee could increase from $40 to $50 and preschool tuition would increase by $10.

The district also will cut costs by closing its Frontier campus, which offered about 300 seniors a college-like experience with college credit for some courses and an open campus. The College of DuPage had been splitting the cost of the rented space with District 204, but recently backed out of that agreement because of the expense.

Students at all three high schools — Metea, Neuqua and Waubonsie — will be able to take the college credit classes as part of their regular school day at those campuses.

Finally, other cost cutting measures include closing 15 schools in July to save on energy use and reducing custodial staff supervisors.

[EagleDad]

"It’s probably the largest curriculum rewrite in the history of the district,” said Jay Strang, assistant superintendent."

News flash, Common Core is already written - if we are re-writing it, we missed the point.

As for textbooks, the district can save a few bucks on my kids if you let me know when it will happen - I would rather buy them the textbooks for iPad on my own expense instead (which Common Core enables) saving them lugging 40lbs of books while at the same time making them more interactive and engaging. You might be surprised that a lot of other parents would do the same.

It's just a smarter way. The days of textbooks costing a hundred dollars each and publishers (Pearson, etc) reaping obscene profits through hundreds of specialized curricula are waning, as are the days of buying $125 single purpose scientific calculators, and it will start first at the secondary level.

P.S. Jay, if you need a little help, there's an iBook for that (it's free )

itunes.apple.com/us/book/understanding-implementing/id496915707?mt=11

[doctorwho]

Feb 14, 2012 15:21:45 GMT -6 EagleDad said:

Daily Herald article:

www.dailyherald.com/article/20120214/news/702149789/

ndian Prairie Unit District 204 is bracing for $9.4 million in budget cuts next year that may include laying off about 114 teachers, support staff members and administrators along with raising student fees, eliminating some athletic programs and extracurricular offerings, and closing the district’s Frontier Campus.

Officials are hopeful the district can absorb the layoffs by rehiring staff to fill jobs vacated by retiring employees, much as it did in 2011 when the district cut more than $20 million from its budget.

ADVERTISEMENT

Still, Superintendent Kathy Birkett told school board members Monday the process will be painful. “All the low hanging fruit is gone,” she said. “Now, we’re into the tree and we’re starting to get into the trunk.”

The cuts are necessary because of increased costs caused by sweeping changes in the way children will be taught and educators evaluated as required by Common Core standards adopted by Illinois and other states across the nation.

Implementation will be quick with curriculum changes in District 204 adopted next year and children in Illinois tested on the new standards in the 2014-2015 school year. The changes also call for teachers and principals to be evaluated on student achievement.

“Because of all the initiatives that have come out of Springfield and Common Core, which is going to be great for our kids … we have to spend some money,” Birkett said.

Staff members said about $5 million in expenditures on technology, evaluations, assessments, curriculum, instruction and facilities will be required next year as the district rolls out the changes.

Those costs will be added to a deficit projected at a total $8.6 million for fiscal 2013.

Technology was the highest cost at $2.7 million, but will pay for a system that can better track student achievement and measure growth.

For instance, schools will be able to track a specific student’s growth in an area like reading and tie it to a particular teacher such as a reading specialist.

Technology costs also will cover the replacement of old computers and allow the district to purchase some classroom materials that in the past might have come in the form of a textbook.

“It’s probably the largest curriculum rewrite in the history of the district,” said Jay Strang, assistant superintendent.

District 204 board members, who will take action on the proposed cuts in upcoming meetings, mostly praised district staffers for their work.

“There is no district better at doing more with less than District 204,” President Curt Bradshaw said.

He cited the district’s continued improvement on test scores despite having a lean budget.

Over the past three years, the district has cut a total of about $30 million from its budget by increasing class sizes, eliminating 145 teaching positions, freezing salaries and pinching pennies in other ways like not watering school lawns. The district serves about 29,900 students in Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield with a staff of about 3,100.

In fiscal 2013, the district anticipates bringing in about $289.5 million and spending about $297 million, necessitating the cuts to create a balanced budget, said Dave Holm, assistant superintendent. In fiscal 2012, the district expects to spend about $285 million.

Possible staffing reductions next year would include about 55 certified staff such as teachers, 55 non-bargaining employees and four administrators. Reductions in the district will be announced before spring break.

District officials declined to detail what extracurricular programs and sports might be cut, saying they first wanted to talk to students and teachers affected. But officials did say those serving the fewest students would be considered.

Meanwhile, proposed fee increases were detailed. Middle school athletes would pay $125 up from $100, with high school athletes’ costs increasing to $200 from $160. The technology fee could increase from $40 to $50 and preschool tuition would increase by $10.

The district also will cut costs by closing its Frontier campus, which offered about 300 seniors a college-like experience with college credit for some courses and an open campus. The College of DuPage had been splitting the cost of the rented space with District 204, but recently backed out of that agreement because of the expense.

Students at all three high schools — Metea, Neuqua and Waubonsie — will be able to take the college credit classes as part of their regular school day at those campuses.

Finally, other cost cutting measures include closing 15 schools in July to save on energy use and reducing custodial staff supervisors.

"“There is no district better at doing more with less than District 204,” President Curt Bradshaw said.

Um, close..No one is better at doing less with more $$

evidence all around- up on Eola- a piece of dirt at Brach Brodie - what a/c
evenwith an open checkbook this band of pirates has managed to now bring about a scenario where the kids take the hit