Slashed state budget could mean up to $29 mil. more in cuts for U-46

Elgin Area School District U-46 has estimated that it could be forced to cut an additional $19 million to $29 million next year if the state slashes education funding.

The gut-wrenching news followed State Superintendent Christopher Koch's Monday message warning school officials that Gov. Pat Quinn's office may propose a 2011 budget calling for at least $900 million in cuts to elementary and secondary education.

And it follows U-46 Chief Financial Officer Ron Ally's presentation last Monday outlining at least $31 million in reductions to virtually every facet of the district's budget. That number assumes level funding from the state.

"Let me try and make sure I understand this," U-46 board President Ken Kaczynski said. "We've gone through about six weeks of public reduction and analysis without even considering this?"

The timing, by all accounts, stinks.

Quinn's office is keeping mum on exactly how he plans to cut the education budget until his March 10 budget presentation.

But the district must approve all of its layoffs for next year by March 15.

The $900 million in cuts matches the amount of federal stimulus money used to plug state holes this year. That money has now been used up.

Quinn budget Director David Vaught, a former downstate school board member, told reporters last week the education cuts will be painful and cover general state aid as well as grants and funding that helps reimburse districts for transportation, special education and other required programs.

U-46 is already planning to fire hundreds of teachers, increase class sizes, modify programs and close an early childhood center to help pare down a $48.6 million deficit by $31 million.

Superintendent Jose Torres told board members his administration has been wrestling with just how to go about cutting another huge hunk from the budget.

"That would only happen by touching some of the things we did not touch previously," Torres said. "We would definitely have to talk about extracurriculars and other sports and activities. Having one administrator for two schools. Those things we wouldn't even want to talk about."

For now, the district plans to lay off more employees than necessary in mid-March in order to pad itself from more state cuts down the line.

U-46 board members directed Torres to have his staff prepare a scenario of what might happen if state education cuts are finalized.

The Illinois State Board of Education is fighting for level funding next year - $14.7 billion.

"I am telling you what I am telling legislators," Koch wrote. "You cannot take $922 million from our budget without impacting services and learning, or having districts severely drawing down reserves."

Koch will testify before the House and Senate appropriations committees this week to defend the state board's budget recommendation.

Karen Carney, a U-46 board member since 1991, remarked: "In years past when we had difficult conversations like this there was almost a call to action. This time around it feels a little bit different. We all feel, we've been rendered powerless as far as being able to stop this train that's coming down the track.

"... There's very little chance of any movement happening this spring because every legislator will not do anything on the year they're up for re-election."