Cuts, Fee Increases on Tap for District 87
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: January 9, 2013
BLOOMINGTON - Parents in Bloomington District 87 will likely have to pay
more to send their kids to more crowded classrooms starting next year.
The district is facing a nearly $3 million budget deficit in its education fund, which pays for a significant amount of the district's business.
The deficit is primarily the result of an "income problem," as described Wednesday by Superintendent Dr. Barry Reilly.
Total equalized assessed valuation is down more than $17,000,000, corporate personal property replacement taxes are down more than $1,000,000, and it's the same story with federal and state revenue.
The result is an attempt to cover the deficit in a balanced approach without compromising safety or education and instruction, according to Reilly.
"Any cut that we make will be painful to someone or some group. So we want to minimize that as much as we can. We want to minimize the impact on direct instruction in the classroom," Reilly said.
In addition to more than $1,500,000 in cuts made already, District 87 is looking to cut another $2,000,000 in expenses.
This will come from all education levels, the district office and other areas like special education and summer school.
Reilly said he is almost certain cuts will include personnel, but the hope is retirement and attrition can help minimize the impact.
Still, Reilly admitted classroom sizes will rise with fewer teachers on staff.
Student programs are likely to be reduced as opposed to eliminated, Reilly said.
On the revenue side, the district plans on using $420,000 in working cash, $400,000 from a tort fund for safety and risk management and fee increases.
One example is charging parents at all grade levels $10 more each of the next two years for student registration fees.
A vote is set for February 27 on the deficit reduction plan. Reilly said more specifics should be released by then.
The district is facing a nearly $3 million budget deficit in its education fund, which pays for a significant amount of the district's business.
The deficit is primarily the result of an "income problem," as described Wednesday by Superintendent Dr. Barry Reilly.
Total equalized assessed valuation is down more than $17,000,000, corporate personal property replacement taxes are down more than $1,000,000, and it's the same story with federal and state revenue.
The result is an attempt to cover the deficit in a balanced approach without compromising safety or education and instruction, according to Reilly.
"Any cut that we make will be painful to someone or some group. So we want to minimize that as much as we can. We want to minimize the impact on direct instruction in the classroom," Reilly said.
In addition to more than $1,500,000 in cuts made already, District 87 is looking to cut another $2,000,000 in expenses.
This will come from all education levels, the district office and other areas like special education and summer school.
Reilly said he is almost certain cuts will include personnel, but the hope is retirement and attrition can help minimize the impact.
Still, Reilly admitted classroom sizes will rise with fewer teachers on staff.
Student programs are likely to be reduced as opposed to eliminated, Reilly said.
On the revenue side, the district plans on using $420,000 in working cash, $400,000 from a tort fund for safety and risk management and fee increases.
One example is charging parents at all grade levels $10 more each of the next two years for student registration fees.
A vote is set for February 27 on the deficit reduction plan. Reilly said more specifics should be released by then.
