Dist. 94 likely to see budget surplus

Just a year and a half after laying off teachers and staff, the West Chicago Community High School District 94 board Tuesday approved its first budget in years to start and hopefully end with a surplus.

Last year's budget, passed just months after the firings, ended the year with $1.6 million left over. That wiped out the district's remaining $1.5 million deficit and allowed the fiscal 2007 budget to be balanced in all funds, with $30.3 million in projected revenues and $30 million in anticipated expenses.

At this time next year, $227,487 will likely remain as a surplus, Director of Business Services Daniel E. McCarthy said.

"It's no small feat what you've accomplished," board President Tony Reyes told him. "The community recognizes what you do and the work that we do as a board."

Higher than expected returns on investments and tax levy receipts, together with lower than expected expenses in some areas, contributed to the surplus that rid the district of a deficit that had dogged it for years.

In contrast with past years, when budget talks have been accompanied with strife and pain, no one spoke up during the public hearing on this year's budget. The board passed it unanimously.

"We're getting ourselves on some stable ground and we'll continue to do so in the future," board member Gordon Cole said.

Over the past few years, expenses have steadily increased as the student population grew and teacher salaries, insurance and utilities got more costly.

From 2002 to 2004, the budget deficit toggled between the extremes of $790,000 and $1.3 million.

In September 2005, when the board passed a budget that was $1.4 million in the red, members pledged to reel in spending in fiscal 2006.

They made good on the promise. In April 2006, the board cut 13 teachers and six assistant coach positions, thereby increasing class sizes but also reducing the deficit. Consequently the fiscal 2006 budget was balanced, McCarthy said.

This year's budget includes $152,000 for capital projects that include $27,000 for track resurfacing and $47,000 for new cooling towers.