Dist. 203 budget expected to rise next fiscal year

Naperville Unit District 203's operating budget will likely increase by 2.5 percent in the coming fiscal year.

The school board gave its approval Monday to putting the 2008-09 budget on display for the public.

The latest figures show about $233.7 million in total projected expenses, which includes about $20.6 million toward facility projects. The district has about $114.9 million in enhancements planned over the next four years.

About $211.6 million of the proposed budget is operating expenses, up from $206.5 million last year, a bump of 2.5 percent.

Staff salaries make up about 80 percent of the budget. The district is already locked into contracts with its four employee unions through 2008-09 and three of the unions through 2009-10. Under these agreements, salaries will go up an average of 3.66 percent in those two school years.

Declining enrollment will decrease staffing levels in some areas in the upcoming fiscal year but there will be increases in others, such as special education, according to Superintendent Alan Leis.

The district will also add 3.5 staff positions for its new dual-language program at Maplebrook and Beebe elementary schools.

On the revenue side, the district plans to bring in $266.1 million, which includes $43 million in bonds voters authorized for facility projects in the February referendum. Not including the bonds, revenue is up about 2.9 percent from last year.

About 82 percent of the district's operating budget revenue comes from property taxes.

Residents will be able to comment on the budget at a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. July 21 at the district administrative center, 203 W. Hillside Road. The board will then take a final vote on the budget.