Post by WeNeed3 on Mar 19, 2009 6:29:37 GMT -5
Dist. 203 candidates debate budget issues
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald
With the economy on everyone's mind, budget issues topped the list of questions Naperville Unit District 203 candidates tackled at a forum Wednesday.
While some focused on increasing revenue, others stressed the need to cut expenditures to shore up a budget that will soon be hit by the unusually low inflation rate of 0.1 percent, which will affect the tax levy, as well as rising costs for health care and pensions.
Ten candidates are running in the April 7 election for four open 4-year seats on the District 203 board. They are incumbents Susan Crotty and Jackie Romberg and challengers Michael DelCiello, Jim Dennison, Steve Deutsch, Nancy Drapalik, Lynn Hodak, Patti Mathewson, Merle Siefken and Dave Weeks. Drapalik was unable to attend Wednesday's forum due to a family emergency.
The League of Women Voters and District 203 Home and School Association sponsored the forum. Each candidate had one minute to answer each of the questions posed to them before breaking into a meet-and-greet setting in which they could talk to residents one-on-one. About 50 people attended the forum.
District 203 recently announced its revenues will likely exceed expenditures in 2011-2012 - two to three years sooner than previously expected - if it does not make any changes to the way it operates.
Crotty said the board has already begun to address the issue by delaying implementation of several foreign language programs, more strictly adhering to staffing formulas without increasing class size and working with employee unions.
"We are tightening our belts to be financially responsible while keeping our eyes on student achievement," she said.
But DelCiello does not like the idea of canceling the foreign language programs and said the district should have planned better in the past. He believes the district should immediately stop any spending not necessary for operations, such as computer upgrades.
Dennison agreed the district needs to cut expenses, especially in areas that do not directly impact learning.
"With the people in our community out of work and in some form of financial distress now's not the time to be adding to that burden by increasing taxes," he said. "Our school district has to reflect the economic realities of our community."
Many of the taxpayers in the district do not have children in the school system and the community already approved a tax hike last year for facilities projects, Mathewson said, so the district cannot ask them for more money. She believes the district needs to look at negotiating with its unions to save money because salaries are its largest expenditure.
Romberg said she thinks the community understands the position the district is in and there have been no discussions about another tax increase referendum. She is awaiting data on what moves will impact children least and said the board has pledged not to increase student-teacher ratios.
Weeks went a step further and said the district should get the public's permission before increasing its spending. He too acknowledged the need to have the cooperation of the unions.
Cooperation with teachers, administrators and the community is part of Siefken's prescription for fixing the budget. He said the district needs to collaborate with these groups to determine their priorities. Those priorities need to match up with the district's strategic plan.
Deutsch and Hodak both offered ways to increase revenue without raising taxes. Deutsch said the district should look at selling its surplus land and finding alternative funding sources such as grants for the foreign language program. Hodak suggested looking at innovating programs such as online classes to students that can also be offered to community members for a small stipend.
"Maybe it will be a small revenue stream but it's something to involve our community as well," Hodak said.
The candidates will meet again at a Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation forum at 7 p.m. Monday, March 23, at the municipal center, 400 S. Eagle St.
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=280143&src=76