New Millburn Dist. 24 superintendent to lead in lean times
When the doors open Monday morning in Millburn Elementary District 24, there will undoubtedly be many new faces.
Among them is the district's new superintendent.
Ellen Mauer, 44, of Libertyville, replaces James Menzer, who retired after 14 years in the job. Formerly a principal in Wilmette School District 39, Mauer comes with more than 20 years experience in education.
That career knowledge will be needed as District 24 faces some significant financial challenges.
Like many other schools in Lake County and elsewhere, it is struggling to balance its books. Administrators trimmed $1.2 million to balance this year's budget. A total of 30 full- and part-time positions were cut, including 11 full-time teachers.
Mauer will be leading in lean times, and she said change and improvement will be a long process.
"The budget will be the constant goal. It takes a lot of planning. The goals have to be multiyear," she said. "We're not getting any increase in revenue, but our costs will continue to go up 5 (percent) to 8 percent. We won't be able to bring back any of the old positions or create new ones until the budget situation improves."
Though some districts are doing just fine, Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools Roycealee Wood said, she has not seen things this bad since the 1980s.
"Budgets are tight for everyone," Wood said. "And next year may not be much better. The hope is that boards prepare conservative budgets. Many have done that already in anticipation of revenue shortfalls."
With just a handful of businesses in the Millburn area, the district doesn't enjoy the hefty sales tax revenue of some other districts in the county.
Mauer said it's unclear whether new cuts would be needed to balance the 2010-11 school year. It's too soon to tell.
"We have to look ahead and see," she said. "Those decisions would have to be made in the spring. There's really not much left to cut, which is where we're at right now."
Beyond fiscal issues, student test scores will be a priority. She said she would like to see more kids scoring higher on the annual Illinois Standards Achievement Test.
Mauer said she also wants to reduce paper use, and push electronic communication in its place.
"Our principals are doing away with monthly paper newsletters and will send weekly e-mails to parents instead," she said. "We're trying to do as much electronically as possible. Quarterly district newsletters will be electronic as well."
Mauer was principal in Diamond Lake Elementary District 76 for nine years, a teacher in Buffalo Grove District 102 and is currently on the Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 board. Millburn Central and Millburn West schools serve 1,665 students from Lindenhurst, Wadsworth and unincorporated areas of Lake Villa. District 24 board members say they are glad to have Mauer at the helm.
Robert Buehler, the board's vice president, said he's confident in Mauer's leadership and thinks the board made a good choice. Her annual salary is $140,000.
"She has extensive experience in school finances and an understanding of financial issues," Buehler said. "Her communication skills are excellent and we like the fact she's local."