Dist. 300 still needs to cut $5.6 million to balance budget

On Monday, for the first time in more than a month, the Community Unit District 300 school board met - and didn't lay off any staff.

Instead, the board, which recently passed a state deadline to dismiss teachers, took a step back, totaling the budget reductions made to date and those likely to come.

The board is trying to slash $15 million from the 2010-11 budget to cope with delayed state payments, Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed reduction in education funding and expected increases in insurance costs.

Between cuts that have been approved by the board and tentative agreements reached with the district's unions, the district estimates it has cut $9.4 million so far - meaning the board would have to find an additional $5.6 million in savings to show a balanced budget.

In the past month, the district has dismissed 180 nontenured teachers. Officials say they plan to call back 51 teachers, for a net reduction of 129.

Among the proposed reductions the district has yet to act on include:

• More than $1.6 million in transportation cuts, including the elimination of busing for the Preschool for All program, dual-language program and Elgin Community College Partnership. The district also would require parochial students to use existing bus routes and reduce the cost of bus supervision.

• Almost $1.2 million in further staff cuts, including 13 paraprofessionals (teacher aides), four secretaries, seven literacy leaders and Hampshire High School's safety officer.

• More than $3.7 million in reduced payments to the staff, including eliminating overtime, mandating furlough days, reducing lunchroom supervision costs and eliminating extra pay for teachers who have more than a set number of students in a class (a potential savings of $2.5 million but a longshot, according to district and union leaders).

• More than $1.1 million in cuts to additional areas, including middle and high school clubs, individual building budgets, technology and reimbursement for professional development.

On Monday, Several dozen parents and educators spoke out against the proposed cuts to transportation for students who attend parochial schools.

The board did not enact any further reductions Monday but may vote April 26 on the controversial transportation cuts.

Tally: $7.6 million more in cuts under consideration