Sports, library books, could be on Kaneland chopping block

Kaneland school officials figure they will have to eliminate some sports and clubs, cut nine coaches, use fewer supplies and stop buying library books to have a balanced budget for 2010-11.

Administrators presented a list of $2.6 million in cuts to the school board this week. They will be discussed again at the board's Jan. 25 meeting, at a citizens' advisory committee meeting Jan. 28, in a Feb. 8 community forum, and the Feb. 22 board meeting.

The board will vote on the cuts March 8, and on specific personnel items that result March 22.

The list calls for eliminating the full-time equivalents of 10.6 certified workers, 9.5 noncertified workers and two administrative positions.

It also calls for eliminating 54 student activities stipend positions.

Items on the chopping block:

• The annual fifth-grade stay at the Lorado Taft outdoor education center in Oregon, Ill.

• The fifth-grade band program.

• The Young Authors program.

• Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade interscholastic sports.

• Eleven clubs and activities at the high school.

• Nine high school coaching positions.

• Four high school sponsors, which would eliminate two sports programs.

• New library books for the high school and elementary schools.

The district would also eliminate attendance at a statewide school board conference, and stop its Parent University program.

Pay for long-term substitutes would be cut 23 percent, and short-term substitutes would earn $5 less per day.

After-practice busing for athletes would be cut.

And it wouldn't buy any new computer printers.

What clubs and sports specifically would be affected will be discussed Jan. 25.

The school board in December directed administrators to present a balanced budget for 2010-11. The budget year starts June 30, but the district has until Sept. 30 to adopt a budget.

The board has asked the Kaneland Education Association teachers union to consider delaying or giving up salary increases guaranteed in its contract, which expires at the end of the 2011 school year. The union has not voted on the request, but is in discussions with Kaneland officials.

The cuts are in the operating portion of the district's budget. For the 2009-10 school year, it adopted a $47.23 million budget, with an expected deficit of about $760,000.

This is the third time since 1995 that sports and activities at Kaneland have faced an ax. In 1995 private citizens raised $300,000 to sustain activities for one year, and voters agreed the next year to a tax increase. Activities were also spared after a 2005 tax increase.