Barrington Dist. 220 cuts 14 jobs for next year

As expected, Barrington Unit District 220 has cut the equivalent of almost 14 full-time positions for next school year because of economic pressures.

After retirements and resignations, the actual number of job reductions will be the equivalent of about seven full-time positions.

But district officials wouldn't say how many people were given layoff notices. Since some could be part-time employees, the number could be higher than seven.

Districts even harder hit include Lake Zurich Unit District 95, which cut 91 jobs for next year, and Elgin Area School District U-46, which cut 348.

In reluctantly taking the vote this week, the school board didn't reveal which people or positions were affected, as that was considered confidential. But officials said those affected were informed in advance of the meeting.

"There were no question marks, no speculation about who this might be," district spokesman Jeff Arnett said.

The cuts affected all job categories and grade levels, and included about 10 positions held by administrators and certified teachers. These alone will save the district $552,900 annually, officials said.

The remaining four jobs were among classified staff and will save $112,800 yearly.

Officials said District 220 hasn't been immune to the dismal inflation rate's effect on tax revenues. Nevertheless, officials viewed the job eliminations a last resort after all other cost savings measures had been explored.

In fact, the district has cut costs by more than $745,000 by streamlining custodial services, renegotiating utility costs, reducing part-time seasonal support and building supply budgets, eliminating redundant data lines and transferring heating and air-conditioning maintenance costs to its own staff.

Officials have emphasized the district doesn't have much fat to cut, and cutting even a few jobs wouldn't be invisible.

"The biggest effect is going to be a marginal increase in class size," board President Brian Battle said.

District enrollment has risen steadily but likely plateaued for the next few years, Arnett said. Small staffing increases had helped keep class sizes at a near-optimum level.

In contrast, Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 has had to eliminate about 10 teaching job for each of the last several years because of declining enrollment, spokeswoman Terri McHugh said.

All school districts are hurting in some fashion from the inflation rate, but District 54 hasn't so far had to eliminate jobs for that reason.