District 220 forecasts costs, revenue before budget cuts

Barrington Unit District 220 officials Tuesday sought common ground on their assumptions regarding future costs and revenues before they begin tackling the thorny question next month of how much to cut next year's budget.

Board members have asked administrators to prepare a list of $3 million of potential budget cuts, but Tuesday's discussion was the start of a process to determine how many will be necessary.

For the past few years, uncertainties in the economy and the level of state aid have driven annual budget reductions of between $1.4 million and $2.4 million.

This year, the budgetary uncertainties are compounded by the pending negotiation of a new multiyear teachers contract.

Board members went into closed session near the end of Tuesday's meeting to begin discussing their assumptions about the level of teacher salary increases in the next few years.

But for the time being, the assumptions being used in the upcoming budget discussions are based on an extension of the current contract, which is tied to the rate of inflation.

But even the average rate of inflation is one of the assumptions board members had to make Tuesday. They settled on 2.5 percent per year.

Board President Brian Battle warned curious audience members that the night's discussion would hardly be as dramatic as when the decisions on budget cuts will actually be made next month.

“Tonight is one of those nights you're going to see sausage being made,” he said.

The board did feel comfortable assuming a 1.5 percent annual pay increase for non-teachers, a 10 percent reduction next year in both general state and federal aid, and a property tax collection rate of 98.5 percent.

On most issues, board members claimed to be seeking conservative estimates, but sometimes disagreed on just how conservative.

They assumed 2 percent increases on most purchased service costs such as food, but 5 percent on school bus fuel. Summer maintenance projects over the coming years were estimated at $1.5 million, $2.25 million, $2.5 million and $3 million respectively.

The board's discussion will continue on Feb. 7.