The elimination of three elementary school teachers were among proposed budget cuts offered by District 97 administrators at a Feb. 22 school board meeting, as the district struggles to plug a roughly $600,000 hole in its education fund this year and weighs the likelihood of seeking a referendum in 2007 to cover lingering budget deficits.
The board is expected to vote on the proposed reductions on March 8.
The district, though, faces looming financial troubles as it continues to spend more than it takes in, according to a community member-based financial review committee.
The Dist. 97 Finance Advisory Committee presented its preliminary report last Wednesday, along with budget recommendations made by administrators.
The committee, which will present its full report to the board this week, offered a dim outlook of the district’s finances.
Even with current cuts and payments from the village, the district continues to have a “structural deficit” that’s draining existing reserves, with five-year projections showing savings gone after 2008, said committee co-chair Stephen Huth.
As much as $3 million a year in increased revenue and cuts over the next 3-5 years will bring the district out of deficit spending before savings run out, said Huth.
He said a referendum?#34;by as early as 2007?#34;would be a likely option for the board, but stopped short of recommending to the board to seek one.
“Even with proposed cuts, that will only delay the inevitable,” said Huth. “The district is spending more than it’s taking in. If this continues, the district will be forced to do more than what’s being considered currently.”
The task force was established in 2003 to look at the district’s finances and spending habits. The district made $500,000 in budget cuts in the fall of 2002, and continued making millions in cuts and new revenues since.
Despite assurances last Wednesday by administrators and board members that the current proposed cuts were necessary, the pleas weren’t enough to sway nearly 100 parents and Oak Park residents who packed the Percy Julian Middle School Commons to voice their concerns.
Before even making its official recommendations, district officials listened to more than 2 1/2 hours of public comments. A total of 37 people spoke during public comments?#34;all opposed to a variety of cuts to teachers and other school building staff.
“I really object to this,” said Hatch parent Joshua Weiss. “I also object to the fact that the central office apparently are not willing to share in these cuts nor are any schools whose board members have children attending. You would cut students from schools where you don’t have children attending but we’re suppose to shoulder the burden?”
Hatch, Longfellow and Irving elementary schools are slated to lose a teacher each at a combined savings of $126,000. Those schools were targeted because of their higher student/teacher ratios.
Along with teacher reductions, administrators recommended cuts in library staffing, and to the district’s certified nursing staff. Despite criticisms leveled to the contrary, administrative cuts to the district’s consultants and speakers to the tune of $40,000 were also proposed.
Officials said the district must reduce its education fund by $645,000, as the district faces a budget deficit this year.
“At this point and time Dist. 97 is struggling with a significant budget deficit,” said Supt. Constance Collins at last Wednesday’s meeting. “We are aware that cuts must be made. This is not an easy decision nor is it a popular decision, but it is a necessary decision.”
Officials said the reduction in teachers at the three schools would equalize staffing levels in the elementary schools to a target class size of 19.5 to 21.5.
“The most important thing is the quality of the teacher,” said Assistant Supt. for Instruction Kevin Anderson responding to opponents’ argument that a class size of less than 20 students automatically resulted in higher student achievement.
“For those of us who were teachers we know how important it is. Whether a class has 16 students or 20 if they’re not getting the proper instruction it doesn’t matter who’s in the class or what size it is.”
But opponents argued that smaller class sizes resulted in more focused instruction in the classroom.
Rosalind Reese, parent of two Longfellow students and co-chair of PAC, Parents of African-American Children, said smaller class sizes contribute to improved academic success for students and particular minorities.
We know the key to closing the achievement gap is small class size and a close student-teacher relationship. … That will not happen with overextended teachers,” she said.
CONTACT: tdean@wjinc.com