District 300 looks at ways to ease future budget shortfalls

Community Unit District 300's top budget officer said Monday the district will require deep budget cuts just to break even over the next two years.

"We will be cutting anywhere between $3 and $5 million next year, and if we give more in wage negotiations, we will have to cut more," Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates said.

Crates said the district could face another $3 million in cuts for the 2011-12 school year before the downward trend reverses.

The scenario Crates outlined was reminiscent of the period before the district's 2006 tax increase, when District 300 faced large deficits and district officials warned of drastic cuts to athletics and after-school activities.

While district leaders have not officially said they are exploring another tax increase, board President Joe Stevens said earlier this year the district might have to ask voters for more money - unless the district is prepared to make dramatic cuts.

The district's situation today is not exactly the same as before the most recent tax increase, however, precisely because the 2006 increase enabled the district to build up its fund balances and a large cash reserve that may help the district survive the downturn.

The district balanced its current budget by cutting 30 teaching positions and eliminating bus aides for at-risk preschoolers at the deLacey Family Education Center, saving almost $2 million.

The school board on Monday unanimously approved the 2009-10 budget, which reflects those reductions.

The board also will look for short-term savings next year, when it negotiates a new contract with its teachers union. The current deal expires at the end of this school year.

District 300 leaders, along with leaders from two other suburban school districts, are exploring whether building a wind farm in central Illinois would help generate long-term savings on electricity. The board voted 7-0 Monday to spend $44,000 over the next year to explore the feasibility of the wind farm.

"The hope is that long term, we can raise additional revenues by saving on our electric bills," Crates said.