Post by gatormom on Feb 14, 2009 13:50:00 GMT -5
U-46 gets into specifics on cutbacks
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=272055
Kerry Lester
Daily Herald
2/14/2009
Elgin Area School District U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres late Friday outlined a bleak fiscal picture for the state's second largest school district, calling for $17 million in reductions to keep books balanced in 2009-10.
The district, he said, anticipates only minimal increases in local property tax revenues next year and is uncertain about the level of state funding for next year. "And," he said, "there is still no clear picture of what the federal bailout, if approved, will mean for U-46."
Cuts, he said, could include:
• Freezing the pay of administrators and nonunion employees.
• Continuing to restrict "discretionary funds" on supplies.
• Reducing transportation costs by continuing to limiting field trips.
• And carefully examining the staffing in all areas.
In order to comply with state law, staff layoffs must be made by March 15 for all union employees.
This is the third round of aggressive cost-saving measures for the district.
In December, U-46 began reducing expenditures in its central office.
By putting capital expenditures on the back burner, eliminating nonessential overtime, cutting spending on office supplies by about 15 percent and limiting conference attendance, paid student helpers, travel and food at meetings, Chief Financial Officer John Prince said U-46 would save about $2.7 million.
Jan. 26, Prince announced the district would embark on a second round, aiming to spare another $1.7 million.
Discretionary spending - school supplies, equipment, things not necessary to operate a classroom - will be reduced by 20 percent.
The use of substitutes for noncertified staff will not be authorized, except in the case of long-term leaves. School bus transportation for "nonessential travel," including some field trips, will not be provided this school year. Additionally, U-46 must be diligent about energy savings: adjusting temperatures, turning off lights and computers, and restricting the use of certain buildings during evenings and weekends, Prince warned.
Despite anticipated flat-lined revenues next school year, Torres said the district is obligated to pay $10.4 million in salaries in order to comply with union contracts; with another $6.5 million in increased benefits.
"There is simply no way to reduce $17 million in a way that will not impact students and staff," he said.
In his memo, Torres encouraged employees to provide him with suggestions on how to improve efficiency, in particular areas that would not have a direct impact on the classroom.
"I know this message sounds grim; however, I know the resiliency of this school system and its staff," he said.
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=272055
Kerry Lester
Daily Herald
2/14/2009
Elgin Area School District U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres late Friday outlined a bleak fiscal picture for the state's second largest school district, calling for $17 million in reductions to keep books balanced in 2009-10.
The district, he said, anticipates only minimal increases in local property tax revenues next year and is uncertain about the level of state funding for next year. "And," he said, "there is still no clear picture of what the federal bailout, if approved, will mean for U-46."
Cuts, he said, could include:
• Freezing the pay of administrators and nonunion employees.
• Continuing to restrict "discretionary funds" on supplies.
• Reducing transportation costs by continuing to limiting field trips.
• And carefully examining the staffing in all areas.
In order to comply with state law, staff layoffs must be made by March 15 for all union employees.
This is the third round of aggressive cost-saving measures for the district.
In December, U-46 began reducing expenditures in its central office.
By putting capital expenditures on the back burner, eliminating nonessential overtime, cutting spending on office supplies by about 15 percent and limiting conference attendance, paid student helpers, travel and food at meetings, Chief Financial Officer John Prince said U-46 would save about $2.7 million.
Jan. 26, Prince announced the district would embark on a second round, aiming to spare another $1.7 million.
Discretionary spending - school supplies, equipment, things not necessary to operate a classroom - will be reduced by 20 percent.
The use of substitutes for noncertified staff will not be authorized, except in the case of long-term leaves. School bus transportation for "nonessential travel," including some field trips, will not be provided this school year. Additionally, U-46 must be diligent about energy savings: adjusting temperatures, turning off lights and computers, and restricting the use of certain buildings during evenings and weekends, Prince warned.
Despite anticipated flat-lined revenues next school year, Torres said the district is obligated to pay $10.4 million in salaries in order to comply with union contracts; with another $6.5 million in increased benefits.
"There is simply no way to reduce $17 million in a way that will not impact students and staff," he said.
In his memo, Torres encouraged employees to provide him with suggestions on how to improve efficiency, in particular areas that would not have a direct impact on the classroom.
"I know this message sounds grim; however, I know the resiliency of this school system and its staff," he said.
