District 46 looking to trim costs

Grayslake Elementary District 46 is seeking ways to cut expenses because of a possible decrease in tax revenue.

District 46 Superintendent Ellen Correll floated tentative ideas at a meeting Monday night, which included something as simple as eliminating color printing on copy machines to save $100,000 annually.

"I say 'no color printing' to teachers and they're going to be upset about it," Correll said. "But we really have to, again, keep in mind we want children first. We want to be fiscally responsible, but we want to maintain the quality of our education. We have done a lot in this district in the last three or four years to improve that."

Previous estimates have shown District 46 is on pace for a $2 million revenue shortfall in the 2009-10 academic year, which is why the spending cutbacks are being discussed.

"All of this (possible cuts) is subject to the assumption that our income is going to be drastically reduced. Have you re-evaluated that?" District 46 board President Michael Linder asked Correll.

Correll said District 46 will know more about its future money situation Jan. 20 when representatives from Warrenville-based PMA Financial Network Inc. make a presentation. Linder has said he expects District 46 will be hurt by reduced tax revenue because of a home construction slowdown.

At Monday night's session, Correll said she and some top District 46 administrators met over winter break to identify potential savings.

In addition to eliminating color copying, public money could be saved by reducing night cleaning frequency, only owning vehicles "we absolutely need to have," using energy-efficient lighting and keeping a lid on attorney fees, said Correll.

"We're not the only ones facing this type of an issue," she said. "It's going on nationwide."

Correll also alluded to a question-and-answer session earlier in the evening with Elizabeth Hennessy, head of school district financing at the Chicago-based William Blair and Co. investment firm.

Hennessy told officials the consumer price index, or inflation rate, is projected to be flat in 2009. Since 1991, Illinois law has limited many taxing bodies to a levy increase at the rate of inflation or 5 percent, whichever is lower.

"That's a little bit scary, isn't it?" Correll said.

District 46 board members and the administrative team are to meet informally on more cost-cutting proposals by month's end.