Dist. 95 candidates talk money
Candidates for the board of education in Lake Zurich Unit District 95 focused on potentially severe budget cuts during a community forum Monday.
Multiple questions submitted by community members asked about tweaking the list of cuts presented by the administration at a Feb. 12 meeting.
The election is Tuesday, April 7. Incumbents Kathy Brown, John Kropf, Mike Finn, Jan Putbress and newcomer Kathleen Wallis all are running for four, 4-year terms. Jim Burke and Joel Honegger are vying for one unexpired 2-year term. Board member Jim Hussey is not running for re-election.
The candidates stressed the budget is not set in stone and that the board will continue to listen to community input.
"I think the message has been heard - go back and look further," Putbress said.
The incumbents reminded the audience the board wants to retain the core curriculum first and try to reduce programs where they need to - rather than completely eliminating them.
The budget reductions should be seen as a way of changing how the district delivers programs instead of what it delivers, Finn said.
Most programs cuts are recommended reductions, although some programs, such as golf and bowling, may be eliminated completely. Many of the candidates said this is the type of issue that needs to be re-examined so these programs can possibly be offered in some form.
The district is facing recommendations to cut $4 million from next year's budget, including many reductions that would affect each school and the administration. Among the recommended cuts are all nontenured teachers, some music and fine arts programs, athletic programs and guidance counselors. Other recommendations include increasing some class sizes and some fees.
The cuts, totaling about 5 percent of the district's total budget, were necessitated by a drop in the Consumer Price Index from 4.1 percent to 0.1 percent. The CPI determines the increase in the property tax levy the district can request.
The board will vote on a tentative budget in June and the budget will not be finalized until September. However, the board is expected to act on personnel-related recommendations at its Wednesday, March 26, meeting.