District 197 Board Passes Budget, Thanks Referendum Supporters

The unanimously approved a 2012-2013 budget Monday night.

 The budgeting process this year has been relatively smooth compared to the upheaval .

Treasurer Pat Barnum described this year’s budget process compared to last year’s as the difference between “spending carefully” this year and “looking for cuts” last year.

Overall spending in the district among all funds will increase by almost $2 million, or 3 percent. (See budget documents in attached PDF.)

New additions to the general fund budget of $708,625 are offset by reductions of about $1.2 million.

The reductions include administrative restructuring at the district office and elimination of an assistant principal position,* a 1.65 FT reduction to counseling staff and a dramatic decrease in special education costs related to the changing needs of the student population.

Innovation grants allotted last year will not be continued, creating an additional savings of $500,000 over last year’s budget.

The approved plan maintains elementary school technology positions that had been .

The proposal to reduce technology staffing was a recommendation by the designed to create greater efficiency, but ultimately was not supported at the site level, said Barnum.

Director of Finance Brian Schultz said the cost of fully funding those positions, $78,000, did not significantly affect the bigger picture in the district’s finances.

What Could Have Been

last November eliminated what would have likely been a continuation of deep cuts and dramatic changes to programming and staffing.

“I do want to thank the voters because they really did step up,” said board member David Koziol.

Instead, the district will enjoy a restored general fund balance with reserves of 8.1 percent of operating expenditures.

Staffing ratios, fees for extracurricular activities and fees for transportation will not change.

The renewal and expansion of the distict’s operating levy gave the board time to pursue cost cutting and efficiencies in the district in a more methodical manner, said Koziol.

*The original version of this post identified the assistant principal position as being in the middle school. The position is at the high school. Patch regrets the error. 

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