Dist. 214 approves budget

The Township High School District 214 board approved the tentative budget Thursday for the 2011-12 school year as it attempts to follow last year's national-award winning budget.

The 2011-12 budget, which will not be available for public observation until Tuesday, comes off the heels of a Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials International. District 214 was the only Illinois district to receive the award and one of only 123 districts in the nation.

“I think it shows the great work all the board members and staff have done throughout the years to get to this point,” said Superintendent David Schuler.

To help with budgeting for the coming school year, the board also approved a $15 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration that will allow the district to soundproof Elk Grove High School from the heavy amount of airplane traffic above the school.

It took six years for the district to secure funding for the project without having to dip into taxpayers' pockets.

“There was a time we we're just hoping to get $7 million,” Schuler said.

But amidst all the good news, both residents and board members had concerns heading into the school year with the new budget.

The recent severe weather has caused damage to schools in the district and the cost for repairs could exceed $1 million. While Shuler said most is reimbursable from insurance, the district will have to front the money.

Along with repair costs, federal grant distribution is becoming competitive based, making it more difficult for suburban schools to bring in money over urban school. Board members were also concerned about the deferred payments from state and county governments.

“We don't have any way to make up those gaps,” said Deb Parenti, associate superintendent for finance and operations.

Unfunded mandates also concerned the board. The district faces roughly 88 unfunded mandates and board members said there is little room for flexibility. But one resident said that flexibility could be found in employee salaries.

John Parker, a Schaumburg resident, said teachers in District 214 have inflated salaries, making roughly $18,000 more than other area teachers. The state then has to negotiate pension benefits at those levels and has less money for mandates, he said.

“I can't think of a better lesson for these kids to learn than how to get by with less,” Parker said.

Roland Ley, a resident in the district and president of Northwest Suburban Taxpayers United, also urged the board to review the budget with a closer eye.

Ley said while he, nor any other member of the public, has seen the 2011-12 budget, history shows there is more money to be saved.

“I have seen the prior two years' monthly cash and investments for District 214 and can assure everyone that the district would have no problem with somewhere between $30 million and $40 million less cash and investments,” he said. The board defended its past budgets and 2011-12 budget, saving rollbacks to health insurance and transportation have put them at similar funding levels to four to five years ago as they prepare for next year.

Board member Bill Dussling said the district has gone 18 years with a balanced operating budget and 44 years without a referendum.

“We never finish with a deficit,” Schuler said.

The budget will be available for public inspection from Tuesday through Sept. 15, when there will be a public hearing held on the issue.