Budget spurs state education funding talks in Dist. 203

Discussion of the budget that's set to take effect July 1 in Naperville Unit District 203 launched talks not so much about local spending, but about state education funding and potential reforms.

District 203 plans to spend $296.5 million during its next fiscal year, while taking in $302 million, Chief Financial Officer Brad Cauffman said. The spending increase from last year's $253.6 million budget will cause the average homeowner in the district - someone with a $375,000 house - to owe $206 more in school property taxes, Cauffman said.

The increase in the amount the district must tax its community from the high $200 million range to slightly more than $300 million caused school board member Susan Crotty to wonder, "When do we say to the state, 'help?'"

Crotty asked what school board members can do to "stand up for our communities," and school board President Jackie Romberg came up with one possibility: invite state lawmakers to a school board meeting this summer to discuss education funding, especially in light of changes to the distribution of state aid being considered.

A bill that passed the state Senate last month would shift the way state funding is distributed to school districts so the majority of it is given based on need.

The state House has yet to consider the bill, but Superintendent Dan Bridges said District 203 stands to lose roughly $9 million for the 2015-16 school year if the changes are approved.

"When you look at the cumulative impact, this is distressing," for large districts such as 203, Indian Prairie Unit District 204 and Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200, board member Kristin Fitzgerald said. "It would impact student achievement."

Bridges said he already has frequent conversations with the state lawmakers who represent the district. But he said additional talks with legislators are an "important conversation to be had," especially because the state is paying 89 percent of the roughly $6,000 per student it is supposed to give each school district instead of the full amount.

"Our biggest thing we can push for is adequate funding," Cauffman said. "When you try to implement this new formula based on less-than-adequate funding, it's really creating a lot of losers."

School board members are expected to vote on the 2014-15 budget during their next meeting June 16. Increases in spending mainly are caused by higher costs for pay and benefits of staff members, including the equivalent of 4.25 positions added to allow all-day kindergarten to be offered at all elementary schools beginning in August.