Charter school says it's facing large deficit

Prairie Crossing Charter School's director says about $251,000 in budget savings must be found to avoid a shortfall at the end of the academic year.

Myron Dagley, who heads the Grayslake charter school, said board members on a finance and personnel committee will recommend budget cuts by Dec. 6. An official board vote on the recommendations might occur next month, officials said.

In the short term, Dagley said, officials will tighten equipment purchases, staff travel and other discretionary expenses.

Unlike traditional public schools, Prairie Crossing depends on a combination of per-pupil general state aid and private donations.

"We don't have access to many other state-funded funding streams," Dagley said.

Prairie Crossing offers an environmentally focused curriculum and is within the boundaries of Fremont Elementary District 79 and Woodland Elementary District 50. The state's per-pupil aid follows the Fremont and Woodland children if they attend Prairie Crossing.

Dagley said he projects a $251,000 shortfall by the end of the fiscal year, June 30, if revenue and expenses continue at the current pace. The charter school had based its budget on a projected $3.8 million in revenue.

One problem that must be rectified is the area of donations, Dagley said. Prairie Crossing parents have been generous, he said, but help is needed in securing corporate contributions.

Dagley said corporate money hasn't accounted for as much of the revenue as envisioned by the school's founders in 1999.

With 359 students, Prairie Crossing is Lake County's only charter school serving children in kindergarten through eighth grade. It accepts students from outside of the Fremont and Woodland boundaries if parents pay out-of-area tuition.