Local school in line for federal funds

Huntley Unit District 158 and Crystal Lake High School District 155 are among the list of recipients for federal funding designed to help replace money cut from local school district budgets.

Illinois received about $14 million from the federal government's $10 billion Education Jobs Fund bill, which Congress passed last month to save education jobs. District 158 will receive about $1.14 million, while District 155 will receive more than $800,000. School districts across the state have until September 2012 to spend the money.

While District 155 will use it toward balancing the 2011-2012 budget, officials in District 158 said the funding would help balance the current budget.

"The funding will support the overall budget of the district; the bottom line," said Mark Altmayer, chief financial officer in District 158. "It's helping with the state budget cuts and in getting us closer to a balanced budget."

Altmayer added the funds would help the district pay the salaries and benefits of teachers hired since August.

State funding in District 158 had decreased by $4.3 million, or 21 percent, from fiscal year 2009-2010. The district made about $6 million in budget cuts and deferrals without an overwhelming reduction in force that other local school districts were forced to implement.

Still, the board recently approved a budget showing an operating deficit of about $601,000.

Jeff Puma, a spokesman for District 155, said the district would not use the funds this year.

"From District 155's perspective, the money is going to help us balance the budget next year," Puma said. "That is always one of our goals and we have excelled in the past. With this money we should be able to do that again."

State Rep. Jack Franks, a Democrat from Woodstock whose 63rd District encompasses both school districts, said the aid is much-needed. "Keeping schools staffed and teachers employed is central to ensuring students get the best possible education," he said.