Dist. 88 plans $3.2 million in cuts for 2010-11 budget

Due to falling property tax revenues and weakened state funding, administrators in DuPage High School District 88 will begin planning $3.2 million in budget reductions for the 2010-11 school year.

On Monday, the District 88 school board discussed how much cost-cutting would be prudent.

Superintendent Steve Humphrey said the minimum reduction should be $2.2 million to make up for falling local revenues. But he added that District 88 recently received notice from the Illinois State Board of Education that schools should be prepared to lose 40 to 50 percent of state aid and reimbursement.

"That amounts to an additional $1.3 million loss against an already existing deficit," Humphrey said.

While a vote was not required, all board members agreed to prepare for a larger, $3.2 million deficit and directed administrators to draw up plans on how to make up for the shortfall.

"We have to try to stay at a reasonable level - $3.2 million - (because) if we understate it, we're going to amplify the problem as we go down the road," board member James Luebker said. "So we need to be a little on the steep side now. If we have a plan in place and it turns out our funding is better, then we can ease up a bit."

Humphrey explained the budget cuts will require staff reductions and other cost-cutting or revenue-generating measures, such as searching for less-expensive vendors, reducing postage costs or increasing fees for driver's education and parking.

Staff members at both Addison Trail and Willowbrook high schools have been aware of the upcoming shortfall; district spokeswoman Sherri Anderson said administrators have met with them over the past several weeks to discuss the issue and gather cost-savings suggestions.

Humphrey also added that the current construction and improvements happening at both high schools will not be affected by the deficit. Voters gave the district permission to borrow $104 million for the project in 2007.

"That was a separate referendum and a separate equation," he said. "The money for that project is earmarked as a separate fund."