Post by WeNeed3 on Feb 24, 2009 22:19:58 GMT -5
Staff, sports, music face cuts in Dist. 200
By Robert Sanchez | Daily Herald Staff
Dozens of staff positions, some middle school sports teams, and fourth-grade orchestra could be eliminated as Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 leaders work to bring spending in line with revenue.
The changes are among roughly $7.8 million in proposed cuts for next year that district officials are recommending to the school board. It's up to school board members to decide how many of the reductions are needed to help address a projected $14 million shortfall in the 2009-2010 budget.
"Every department at every level was involved in this process," said Bill Farley, assistant superintendent of business operations. "They worked to come up with these reductions to meet our goal of trying to cut into this budget deficit as best we could."
If the cost-reduction plan is approved by school board members, 12 to 16 teaching positions would be eliminated at the elementary schools. That would save $1.05 million while still maintaining the district's standards for class sizes, officials said. District 200 could save another $600,000 by eliminating six to eight teaching positions at the four middle schools.
"We aren't going to make these kinds of cuts cutting paper and pencils," Farley said. "It's obviously going to impact people."
It's unclear how many teachers would be laid off. Farley said "every effort" would be made to reduce staffing levels through retirements, normal attrition and not filling vacant positions. For example, a counselor and a math teacher who both are retiring at Wheaton Warrenville South High School won't be replaced.
Some cuts could prove to be controversial. District officials already have gotten feedback from parents concerned about a suggestion to eliminate several "B" sports teams at the middle schools.
The change would affect about 240 seventh- and eighth-graders who play on the "B" teams for boys and girls basketball and girls volleyball.
Farley said the "B" teams were started during the 2000-2001 school year in response to an enrollment spike at all the middle schools. But with enrollment dropping in recent years, officials are suggesting that more slots be created on the schools' "A" teams. Students also can play intramural sports or join "no cut" teams.
Eliminating the "B" teams would slash $151,000 out of the budget, officials estimate.
Another $75,000 could be trimmed by canceling fourth-grade orchestra. If approved, elementary students would start orchestra and band in fifth grade.
Other proposed cuts include eliminating $46,245 in stipends for teachers who run clubs at the elementary schools and cutting $61,000 for curriculum-based field trips.
School board members are expected to talk about the proposed cuts during their Wednesday meeting. No changes are expected to be voted on until next month.
Even if the $7.8 million in cuts are approved, District 200 will need cash to meet all of its financial obligations. So the district is expected to borrow $20 million to help pay expenses over the next three years.
By Robert Sanchez | Daily Herald Staff
Dozens of staff positions, some middle school sports teams, and fourth-grade orchestra could be eliminated as Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 leaders work to bring spending in line with revenue.
The changes are among roughly $7.8 million in proposed cuts for next year that district officials are recommending to the school board. It's up to school board members to decide how many of the reductions are needed to help address a projected $14 million shortfall in the 2009-2010 budget.
"Every department at every level was involved in this process," said Bill Farley, assistant superintendent of business operations. "They worked to come up with these reductions to meet our goal of trying to cut into this budget deficit as best we could."
If the cost-reduction plan is approved by school board members, 12 to 16 teaching positions would be eliminated at the elementary schools. That would save $1.05 million while still maintaining the district's standards for class sizes, officials said. District 200 could save another $600,000 by eliminating six to eight teaching positions at the four middle schools.
"We aren't going to make these kinds of cuts cutting paper and pencils," Farley said. "It's obviously going to impact people."
It's unclear how many teachers would be laid off. Farley said "every effort" would be made to reduce staffing levels through retirements, normal attrition and not filling vacant positions. For example, a counselor and a math teacher who both are retiring at Wheaton Warrenville South High School won't be replaced.
Some cuts could prove to be controversial. District officials already have gotten feedback from parents concerned about a suggestion to eliminate several "B" sports teams at the middle schools.
The change would affect about 240 seventh- and eighth-graders who play on the "B" teams for boys and girls basketball and girls volleyball.
Farley said the "B" teams were started during the 2000-2001 school year in response to an enrollment spike at all the middle schools. But with enrollment dropping in recent years, officials are suggesting that more slots be created on the schools' "A" teams. Students also can play intramural sports or join "no cut" teams.
Eliminating the "B" teams would slash $151,000 out of the budget, officials estimate.
Another $75,000 could be trimmed by canceling fourth-grade orchestra. If approved, elementary students would start orchestra and band in fifth grade.
Other proposed cuts include eliminating $46,245 in stipends for teachers who run clubs at the elementary schools and cutting $61,000 for curriculum-based field trips.
School board members are expected to talk about the proposed cuts during their Wednesday meeting. No changes are expected to be voted on until next month.
Even if the $7.8 million in cuts are approved, District 200 will need cash to meet all of its financial obligations. So the district is expected to borrow $20 million to help pay expenses over the next three years.