Dist. 129 to hold public forums about possible school closings

West Aurora District 129 will hold three public forums to discuss the possible elimination of early childhood programs and the closing of two school buildings.

The district will seek questions, comments and suggestions from the public at: 6 p.m. Monday, March 2, in the West Aurora High School cafeteria, 1201 W. New York St., Aurora; 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 11 at Todd Early Childhood Center, 100 E. Oak St., Aurora; and 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12 at Lincoln Elementary School, 641 S. Lake Street, Aurora.

Like most families, businesses, institutions and governmental entities, the school district is facing a loss of revenue as a result of the economic recession.

Factors affecting the district include:

• A decision by the state not to pay its obligations to local school districts on time;

• The possibility that the state may not pay some of its obligations at all this school year.

• A financial penalty imposed by the state for passing an operating rate referendum;

• The possible elimination and severe funding reduction of state early childhood grants for next school year.

• The elimination of some federal grants for next year; and

• A drop in property values, which is slowing the rise in equalized assessed valuation.

In addition, the district's student population decreased this year, primarily as a result of an aggressive residency program that discovered nearly 400 students who did not live in the district.

As a result of these factors and the uncertainty about future funding, the school district is preparing a fiscally responsible budget that assumes a worst-case scenario but is flexible enough to respond should new funding become available. This includes taking this opportunity to reevaluate programs and look for ways to operate more efficiently.

A new federal stimulus law, called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, tentatively has allocated more than $4 million for District 129. However, the funds are narrowly aimed at low-income and special education students, and the district does not know yet when the money would be available and whether it could be used to offset existing costs.

If the state fails to fund early childhood education next school year, the district's proposed financial reduction calls for the elimination of its programs, with the exception of special education students, who are funded differently.

In addition, the plan proposes to close two school buildings no longer needed as a result of a drop in the district's student population. The district would gain efficiencies by lowering operating, energy, maintenance and staffing costs. The plan also calls for adjusting class sizes, while not exceeding district maximums, which would also lower staff costs.

Finally, the plan would slow refresh cycles by postponing the purchase of buses, painting of schools, installation of security systems and other non-emergency items. However, it would not eliminate the implementation of Vision 129, the district's comprehensive plan to improve student learning. The district is still planning to increase instructional time in core subjects next year by lengthening and restructuring middle and elementary school days.