District 41 candidates tackle finances

Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41, like other school systems across the region, expects to receive a minuscule increase in tax money next year.

The district's taxing power is tied to the Consumer Price Index, which is increasing by only .1 percent next year.

So school board members are preparing for a few years of frugal spending, although most of the five candidates running for four spots on the board agree the district has done a good job of keeping more than $9 million in reserves.

"We are in a good place because we have a solid reserve," incumbent Terra Costa Howard said. "That said, we will have to take a look at more efficient ways to do things."

Howard said she didn't want to talk about major cuts yet because the board won't have a solid idea of how things stand until after budget meetings.

However, things can be trimmed here and there, she said, such as costs that can be shared with other districts.

"We've been fortunate in our budgeting; our investments have also done much better than anticipated," Howard said. "We may not need to cut as deeply as other districts because we've done such a good job of handling finances."

Challenger Drew Ellis said he thinks the district can try to buy in bulk with other area districts.

"But the majority of the district's budget is really personnel expense," he said.

Ellis said he wouldn't necessarily want to cut personnel, but he does want to evaluate how teachers and staff are allocated and make sure the district is spending in the right areas.

"If we're not getting the requisite level of value, then I think there are some hard choices to make," he said.

Challenger Jack Kahler said he'd like to eliminate spending that doesn't go straight to furthering education.

Both he and challenger Dan Smith Jr. want to budget first and then only levy the amount necessary, instead of the other way around. Most districts levy for as much money as they can get and then budget according to that amount.

"I think we have to be much tighter with our surpluses and reserves," he said.

A consultant himself, Kahler said he wants to focus on the consultants the district hires. He said he wants to see more consultants hired for specific goals instead of ones who do studies with undefined outcomes.

"Figure out what you want and hold consultants to that," he said. "Structure it so you can create value for that spend."

Although incumbent John Kenwood did not respond to calls seeking comment on district finances, in an earlier interview he said he agrees the district should challenge why it's spending money on a consultant.

However, he said the average cost for consultants is less than $200,000 a year and is usually a one-time expense, which he thinks is justified.

Kahler said he also wants to look at the administration staff that has been growing over the years.

He said he wants to review the work being done on an administrative level and make sure it's increasing educational value for children.

Smith said he'd also like to see the district run the way businesses are run. When the economy turned, businesses started looking at what was absolutely necessary, he said.

"We should look at being more efficient," he said.

Smith said the district also has been handling projects piecemeal, such as when new trailers were bought. He said the cost of the trailers didn't include the funds needed to put in desks and carpeting.

"You need to have the full cost," he said, "not just bits and pieces."