Dist. 300 updates proposed budget cuts

Community Unit District 300 Superintendent Ken Arndt has updated proposed budget cuts to the district's 2010-2011 budget that will save several positions but means a $1.2 million reduction in transportation costs later on.

After considering feedback from parents, staff and the public, Arndt modified his original proposal that called for more than 30 layoffs and $6.4 million in cuts. The school board on Monday will consider a proposal that instead trims $5.3 million from the budget and preserves 8.4 jobs over the initial proposal.

However, the district will need to cut about $1.2 million in busing services that are not required by the state, including preschool and dual language services, as well as transportation as part of the Elgin Community College Partnership. The district would eliminate special midday shuttles for parochial schools and would find more cost-efficient supervision services at bus loading areas.

The board will discuss the transportation issues at its March 8 meeting and will take action at the April 26 board meeting to allow input from parents.

"The revisions or modifications are truly based upon community input and board member concerns," Arndt said. "And while I am sure there are persons who will be upset because I did not agree with their recommendations, I still believe - although it will be painful - it is the best we can do to get through these challenging times."

The cuts are needed to balance the budget despite the state's failure to pay the district more than $6 million in funding.

For now, Arndt's recommendations as outlined in a district news release, would eliminate five building custodian positions instead of the originally proposed 11. None of the substitute custodian positions would be cut. However, a building manager and a mail delivery position would be cut to accommodate the modifications.

Elementary social workers and psychologists will be redistributed instead of cutting three counselors and three special education support staff positions. In addition, the Employee Assistance Program, which provides mental health and counseling services to staff during crises, was given a reprieve in the modified version. The program will be retained at an estimated cost of $38,000.

Long-term substitute teacher pay will be reduced from $208 to $150 per day instead of the $108 per day.

Administrators and other year-round employees, however, will take pay cuts in the form of furlough days to save the district about $815,000. Arndt's updated proposal calls for administrators to take a 3- to 5-percent pay cut, or the equivalent of nine to 12 unpaid days off. The higher paid administrators will take the most days off to ensure that administrators carry more of the financial burden than support staff, a district news release states.

All other year-round employees, which does not include teachers, would still take five to seven unpaid days off resulting in a pay cut up to 2 percent.

The proposal would also base high school staff cuts on the level of student interest in elective courses. Arndt said about four positions across the district would be eliminated.