Dist. 47 to tap into cash reserves

Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 will rely on its substantial cash reserves to cover a $6 million deficit next year, waiting until the 2011-12 school year to balance its budget.

The school board on Tuesday approved $2.4 million in budget reductions, including leaving 15 teacher vacancies unfilled and slashing the cost of supplies, staff training and travel by 10 percent, according to the district.

Even with the reductions, administration estimates the district could face a $6 million deficit next year, up from this year's shortfall of about $2 million.

Fortunately, the district has several months' worth of cash reserves that will enable it to cover its expenses next year, but Superintendent Donn Mendoza said the district is committed to balancing the 2011-12 budget - without relying on reserves.

Mendoza said the plan the board endorsed on Tuesday, less severe than a second scenario that would have probably entailed teacher layoffs, would buy the district time to consult more with the public about possible reductions.

"The district's in a deficit this year. We need to be fiscally responsible in how we address that," Mendoza said. "It would be beneficial to do this over time and get the community's input."

The board was unanimous in its support for Mendoza's recommendation.

"The reserves do give us time to be thoughtful about the decisions that we make," board President Dave Hubbard said Tuesday, participating via teleconference. "It avoids us having to terminate staff members and affect their lives and the students they teach."

The board plans to gather feedback from the public at a series of workshops beginning in the spring but has not yet decided the format or dates of those meetings.