CRYSTAL LAKE –– Schools throughout McHenry County and the nation are looking for ways to save money as revenue projections dip.
In recent weeks, several local districts have announced plans to cut millions in expenses. Huntley District 158 wants to pare $6.6 million from its budget.
Carpentersville District 300 plans to trim $6.4 million. Cary District 26 is facing $5.4 million in cuts. McHenry District 156 is considering $2.3 million. Woodstock District 200 is debating $2 million.
Major reductions have put everything from teachers and field trips to athletics and arts on the chopping block. And the depth of the cuts has some parents worried.
Several districts have pointed to uncertain and inconsistent payments from the state. Others are bracing for less state aid next year.
The Illinois State Board of Education made a recommendation to state leaders this month that requested funding levels be maintained for the 2010-11 school year.
However, in a statement, the ISBE said it “also recognizes that a cut to education is a very real possibility for 2011.”
“Districts that aren’t cutting this year probably will be next year,” said Cary Superintendent Brian Coleman. “It’s the worst financial situation we’ve seen.”
Coleman’s district no longer has reserve funds to cover deficit spending, and officials have pledged to balance the budget. To that end, the Cary board recently approved $5.4 million in cuts, which includes reductions to art, music, and gifted programs, field trips, and physical education.
The district also plans to lay off 65 to 70 teachers, or about 30 percent of its certified staff, and increase class sizes.
Cuts to art, music and band programs led to an uproar from parents, teachers, and former students. Many had urged the board to spare the programs. Community members and parents are seeking ways to salvage them.
In other districts, the reductions won’t reach as far into the classroom. For example, in Carpentersville District 300, a smaller number of teaching positions are at stake.
Items on the chopping block include 14.7 teaching positions, seven non-teaching certified positions and three administrative positions.
In addition, the district plans to save more than $400,000 by adjusting the temperature setting in all buildings by two degrees.
Huntley Superintendent John Burkey said his district would be able to avoid laying off teachers when it reduces expenses by $6.6 million next year.
“We’re very happy about that considering we haven’t seen cuts of this magnitude before,” he said.
Since the district has reserves, it can avoid other hazards such as borrowing to meet cash flow obligations.
“We’re in a pretty good position, but if things don’t improve, I don’t know if I’ll be able to say that in a year or two,” Burkey said.
There is some good financial news. Property tax revenue, the main funding source for schools, is expected to increase slightly despite the slump in real estate prices, said Donna Mayberry, chief assessment officer for McHenry County.
“Your bill will likely go up and taxing bodies will likely see more money,” she said of the projections for 2010 taxes, which are payable in 2011.
However, school districts should be concerned about potential decreases to the total taxable value of property within their borders, Mayberry said. This could signal a decline in future revenue.
Nonetheless, uncertainty about the state’s finances is leading Woodstock District 200 to err on the side of caution. So far, District 200 has received about $36,000 of an expected $1.9 million in state grants. About $1 million of that money was to fund the district’s preschool program.
The district was considering about $2 million in cuts that would include eliminating the preschool program. The program could be spared if additional state money were to materialize. The district also was considering staff cuts, administrative cuts, and cuts to all nonsalaried budget line items.
McHenry High School District 156, too, was contemplating ways to save money. Even though board members said they want to keep the cuts away from the classroom, that might not be possible.
“We are going to lose staff, and it is going to affect programs,” said Superintendent Teresa Lane.
By BRETT ROWLAND – browland@nwherald.com
Read the original article from the Northwest Herald.
