D57 board approves layoffs, new fees for parents

Some District 57 classes will have more than 30 students next year after the school board voted this week to lay off more than 20 teachers.

In total, Mount Prospect Elementary District 57 will lay off 24 elementary school teachers, cut some field trips and raise a whole list of fees in order to bring expenses in line with revenue. The board unanimously approved the money-saving moves in front of about 200 people on Thursday. Those fired were nontenured teachers who have been with the district less than four years, said Superintendent Elaine Aumiller.

The moves could save the district between $880,000 and $1.5 million, depending on how contract negotiations go. Negotiations are ongoing, Aumiller said.

“No one liked doing what we had to do,” she said. “They are all wonderful teachers.”

Because of the layoffs, some classes at Fairview and Lions Park will have up to 31 students. Currently, class sizes there range between 23 and 26 students, Aumiller said.

No middle school teachers were laid off because four middle school teachers recently retired and those positions won’t be filled, she said.

Starting next year, instructional and bus fees will be increased, along with fees to participate in sports and performing arts. Other programs, including the elementary gifted program and the fourth and fifth grade band and orchestra, will be restructured to save money.

Activity buses will be cut to save $24,000. Before and after school day care fees will be increased more than 50 percent, from $156 to $224 a month to $240 to $344 a month, depending on the age of the student.

But when it comes down to saving a lot of money, the school board had to look at teachers since salaries and benefits account for 80 percent of the District 57 budget, school officials said.

The district is dealing with a $1.5 million deficit this year and a projected $900,000 deficit next year. Next year’s deficit is less because this summer’s planned $750,000 capital improvement projects were deferred a year, Aumiller said.

Last year, the board approved eliminating 10 noncertified positions and all instructional assistants.

A complete list of the fee increases is available on the district’s website at d57.org.