Post by slt on Feb 23, 2010 11:30:06 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/2064373,D204-gets-mixed-news-state-funding_NA022310.article
D204 gets mixed news on state funding
February 23, 2010
By KATHY CICHON kcichon@stmedianetwork.com
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will be providing about half of what the state of Illinois owes Indian Prairie District 204 for this year, district officials said Monday night.
"We have gotten some good news in that the state has now received some federal funds," Birkett said. "We should start to see some of those funds coming in. Certainly not the entire amount, but at lease we will see some funding for schools which we appreciate as we continue to educate our almost 30,000 students."
According to Assistant Superintendent for Business Dave Holm, the district estimates it will receive between $3.5 million and $4 million in federal funds that Springfield will use to make three general state aid payments to District 204. The state owes the district more than $7.8 million for the 2010 budget.
While the district is waiting for payments for this year, it is also waiting to hear what type of state funding it will receive for next year's budget. Already this year the district cut $9.2 million to close a deficit in the 2011 budget. Those cuts included elimination of some positions, consolidation of classes and delaying some expenditures.
Bur earlier this month District 204 — like many others in the area — informed its residents that state funding for next year is, what Holm called, "the big unknown."
"We're working with something that no one knows and has to be negotiated," board President Curt Bradshaw said.
In a letter to parents earlier this month, Birkett said the district could lose an additional $14 million to $20 million in state funding. On Monday Holm said in the last couple of weeks the district has received some information that provides "some clarity of what might be happening in terms of funding" from the state.
"Bottom line is, we're right now looking at an additional — above the $9.2 million — an additional $12.2 million in reductions," Holm said.
"For next year, let me just clarify, we're at $21.4 million cut," Birkett said.
Earlier this month Birkett said additional cuts in state funding would likely result in several non-tenured teachers losing their jobs. While the number is unknown at this point, by Illinois state school code, any certified teacher must be notified by the end of March if they will be released from employment for the following year.
"We have to make decisions about what we have to do with staff before we even know what the picture is," board member Mark Metzger said. "The cart is so far before the horse at this point, it's ridiculous."
Holm said administrators are expected to present their recommendations for anticipated cuts at the March 22 board meeting. The Citizens Financial Advisory Committee will be reviewing their work, and there will be a process for community input to be put in place.
"We will make it through this," Holm said. "We will."
D204 gets mixed news on state funding
February 23, 2010
By KATHY CICHON kcichon@stmedianetwork.com
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will be providing about half of what the state of Illinois owes Indian Prairie District 204 for this year, district officials said Monday night.
"We have gotten some good news in that the state has now received some federal funds," Birkett said. "We should start to see some of those funds coming in. Certainly not the entire amount, but at lease we will see some funding for schools which we appreciate as we continue to educate our almost 30,000 students."
According to Assistant Superintendent for Business Dave Holm, the district estimates it will receive between $3.5 million and $4 million in federal funds that Springfield will use to make three general state aid payments to District 204. The state owes the district more than $7.8 million for the 2010 budget.
While the district is waiting for payments for this year, it is also waiting to hear what type of state funding it will receive for next year's budget. Already this year the district cut $9.2 million to close a deficit in the 2011 budget. Those cuts included elimination of some positions, consolidation of classes and delaying some expenditures.
Bur earlier this month District 204 — like many others in the area — informed its residents that state funding for next year is, what Holm called, "the big unknown."
"We're working with something that no one knows and has to be negotiated," board President Curt Bradshaw said.
In a letter to parents earlier this month, Birkett said the district could lose an additional $14 million to $20 million in state funding. On Monday Holm said in the last couple of weeks the district has received some information that provides "some clarity of what might be happening in terms of funding" from the state.
"Bottom line is, we're right now looking at an additional — above the $9.2 million — an additional $12.2 million in reductions," Holm said.
"For next year, let me just clarify, we're at $21.4 million cut," Birkett said.
Earlier this month Birkett said additional cuts in state funding would likely result in several non-tenured teachers losing their jobs. While the number is unknown at this point, by Illinois state school code, any certified teacher must be notified by the end of March if they will be released from employment for the following year.
"We have to make decisions about what we have to do with staff before we even know what the picture is," board member Mark Metzger said. "The cart is so far before the horse at this point, it's ridiculous."
Holm said administrators are expected to present their recommendations for anticipated cuts at the March 22 board meeting. The Citizens Financial Advisory Committee will be reviewing their work, and there will be a process for community input to be put in place.
"We will make it through this," Holm said. "We will."