Budget Updates
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS ILLINOIS ANTICIPATE MAKING SERIOUS CUTS
Delavan CUSD 703 Financial Update
By: Dr. Mary N. Parker, Supt.
As many of you have heard or read in the newspaper by now, the State of Illinois has stated that there is a crisis in Illinois funding for school districts. At present Delavan CUSD operates an extremely good educational program that does an exceedingly good job of preparing students for college and the workplace. Our district provides small class sizes, advanced courses, vocational courses, and extracurricular activities for students. The quality of these services is going to be in jeopardy in the upcoming years as proposed cutbacks to revenue are implemented by the state and other levels of government.
Balancing the budget for the Delavan CUSD has not been an easy task for several years. At the local level tax cap legislation, farmland reassessments, homestead exemptions and other restrictions have limited income. At the state level new unfunded mandates, cuts in grants, and postponed state payments have further increased the gap between revenue and expenditures. At the federal level, last year did see a one-time increase in stimulus funds that the state used to offset its payments, but that funding will possibly not exist for the forthcoming year.
Nevertheless, Delavan CUSD has been able to make reductions in discretionary spending and maintain a balanced budget the last several years. These wise choices by the school board have allowed Delavan CUSD to build a small surplus balance that will probably allow Delavan CUSD to make it through the following school year without appreciable borrowing, if some cuts are made. Any reductions in staff for next year by law will have to be made before April. Many schools, state agencies, and public services will probably be doing much the same thing.
In the February 26th speech by the governor, he announced already a billion dollars will be cut from K-12 funding for next year. This will still leave the state with bills that are six months in arrears and a deficit of around $12 billion dollars.
The following quote and statement is from a late summer message to Illinois schools districts from the Illinois State Superintendent, Chris Koch:
"Sadly, as the new school year begins and Illinois citizens begin to understand the FY 2010 budget reality, we need to begin preparing legislators as well as all citizens for the catastrophe that lies ahead in FY 2011, when we will need an additional $1 billion to make up for the federal stimulus funds that supported us in FY-2009 - and again in this year's budget - but will disappear after this fiscal year."
Specifically, Delavan CUSD has not received $212,802 in scheduled state payments in reimbursement for transportation, special education costs, and other required services this year. For next year the picture looks even bleaker with state cuts to the district running around $450,000. This estimate used a conservative estimate of only a 10% reduction in general state aid and the elimination of several title grants. The actual shortfall could be greater.
None of the solutions seem politically attractive for the state or the schools. It is possible to increase state revenue with an increase in the state income tax. It is also possible that the schools will be forced to make drastic cuts that will have a negative impact on students. Eventually the public will have to decide their priorities and make their voices heard by contacting their state representatives.
Delavan is fortunate to have tremendous staff that has done a great job meeting the needs of students. As we approach these tough times, the Board and staff will be vigilant in our efforts to find the best way to continue the pursuit of a providing a quality education for all the students at Delavan CUDS 703.
The District must now take careful and prudent actions to avoid future troubles due to the state financial crisis.
On behalf of the Delavan Board of Education and Administrative Staff we would like to thank you for supporting Delavan Community School District.
