District 46 forum focuses on finances made easy

School finance made simple was part of the program for a community forum Tuesday night at Grayslake Elementary District 46.

District 46 focused on finances in the informal session with board members and administrators because the 2009-10 academic year budget is scheduled for approval Sept. 23. The tentative spending plan stands at $48.9 million.

Brad Goldstein, the district's chief school business official, led the informal session. Early on, he told about 20 spectators the district must place its money into different "buckets," such as the education and transportation funds, as part of his primer on school finance.

Goldstein later explained how a flat consumer price index, or inflation rate, has a role in school finances. Since 1991, Illinois law has limited many taxing bodies to a levy increase at the rate of inflation or 5 percent, whichever is lower.

"That's why we're running into some of the issues we have here," he said.

About 80 residents attended the inaugural community forum at the middle school June 17. Spending and other money issues dominated the evening.

Many parents began pushing for the forums in the summer, saying regular board meetings do not afford them an opportunity to raise issues and receive answers from District 46's elected officials and administrators.

Suburban school board meetings typically allot time for public comment, but without any immediate feedback from officials.

District 46 Superintendent Ellen Correll said Tuesday that a November forum will focus on curriculum. A date for the event has yet to be established.

Some parents began voicing concern about District 46's finances after $2.8 million in budget cuts and elimination of 29 jobs were approved by the school board early this year.