Teacher jobs in jeopardy in District 200

Dozens of teaching positions, some middle school sports teams, and a police liaison program in the high schools could be eliminated as Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 officials work to address a projected $8.6 million deficit in their 2010-2011 budget.

The changes are among roughly $7.7 million in proposed cuts being reviewed by the school board and an advisory finance committee that's assisting with the budget process. Both panels received the first draft of suggested cuts on Wednesday.

Ultimately, it will be up to the school board to decide how many of the reductions are needed to bring spending in line with revenue. Last year, the board eliminated more than $6.2 million in spending from the district's roughly $155 million budget.

Acting Superintendent Charles Baker stressed the draft list of cuts is simply a starting point. He said several public discussions will happen before a final cost-reduction plan is adopted in March.

"I wish I could say that we have consensus on all of this," Baker said. "We do not, nor will we ever arrive at it. Every one of these (proposed cuts) represent some very energetic, very dedicated individuals and programs. They're not going to agree that they should be eliminated."

As part of the preliminary cost-reduction plan, 17 full-time teaching positions would be eliminated at the elementary schools. That would save an estimated $1.02 million.

District 200 could save another $1.5 million by eliminating 25 full-time teaching positions at the four middle schools. And an additional $480,000 could be saved if eight full-time teaching positions are eliminated at the two high schools.

Another $1.2 million could be saved by cutting 20 "non-direct service" positions, such as librarians and counselors.

It's unclear how many teachers would be laid off. Efforts would be made to reduce staffing levels through retirements, normal attrition and leaving vacant positions open, officials said.

It's unknown how class sizes might be affected by the staff cuts.

Some proposed cuts that were shelved last year are being considered again.

For example, the district is revisiting a controversial suggestion to eliminate several "B" sports teams at the middle schools.

Last year, parents strongly opposed the change, which would affect seventh- and eighth-graders who play on the "B" teams for boys and girls basketball and girls volleyball.

Eliminating the "B" teams would slash $150,000 out of the budget, officials said.

Another $200,000 could be trimmed by canceling the police liaison officer program at Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South high schools. Right now, one officer is assigned to each building. Money from the program also helps pay for police officers to work overtime at athletic events.

Other suggestions include reducing spending for high school athletics by $100,000 and eliminating activity bus routes to save $90,000.

School board members are scheduled to vote on the final list of budget reductions during their March 24 meeting, according to a timeline released by the district.

Before the final decision is made by school board members, they will get feedback from the finance panel, which will help review possible spending cuts and make suggestions. The committee includes parents and business leaders.

Even if all the $7.7 million in cuts are approved, District 200 would need more cash to meet all of its financial obligations. Last April, the school board signed off on a plan to borrow $20 million to help cover budget deficits through the 2011-2012 academic year.

Among the factors contributing to District 200's budgetary problems are a decline in new property tax dollars and state funding. The state, for example, owes the district at least $6 million in payments, officials said.

About 74 percent of District 200's revenue comes from property taxes, officials said. The rest comes from the state and federal governments.