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District 214 approves budget

The Northwest Suburban Township District 214 school board approved a balanced budget for the 18th year in a row on Thursday night.

The board unanimously approved the $ budget after holding a public hearing where no residents came to speak.

Superintendent David Schuler said there had only been a few slight changes to the budget since a tentative version was approved last month.

The total operating and working cash budget approved was $239.7 million, up slightly from $232 million in the 2012-2013 tentative budget. Superintendent David Schuler said he was pleased with another year of balanced budgets for the district, which has been awarded numerous financial reporting awards.

The largest expenditure for the year will be employee salaries and benefits, which make up about 78 percent of the budget.

Property taxes make up 81.1 percent of the revenue the district expects to bring in next year, according to the tentative budget.

Board members thanked the district staff for keeping expenses tight over the past several years.

“I think balancing a budget is easy, all you have to do is cut expenses, but what’s not easy is doing that while at the same time improving your operational performance,” said Board Member Jim Perkins. “I just think it’s impressive.”

Board president Bill Dussling also pointed out that the district has not had a referendum in 44 years.

“Not only are we leaving within our means and improving, we’re still looking for ways to do better with what we have,” said Board member Dan Petro.

“The only way you’re going to continue to improve student performance is to invest in them, that’s what we’re here for,” Petro said.

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