Dist. 200 candidates want referendum to be last funding alternative
Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 will likely be faced with difficult financial decisions in the next few years, but incumbent Jim Vroman doesn't believe asking taxpayers for more money is the right solution - yet.
"I don't think the public right now is ready to support a referendum," he said.
Like the other four candidates seeking three school board seats in the April 7 election, Vroman said he might be more inclined to support a ballot question if the district demonstrates it has exhausted every possibility for saving money.
Those candidates include incumbent Jim Gambaiani and newcomers Chris Crabtree, Gary Tonn and Judith Zapf.
Vroman said it's important to demonstrate the district is "being financially responsible, that we have cut all fat from the budget, that we have looked for opportunities to reduce expenditures."
It's key, he said, that the district looks at all alternative sources of income, from business partnerships to donations from foundations.
"Frankly, that's not going to be a great percentage, but we need to convince the public that we've done that," he said.
If the district does put a referendum on the ballot, he said, it should publicize all the programs the board has chosen to eliminate without impacting education services.
Gambaiani said he is concerned about a number of financial issues, including unfunded mandates by the state, the impact of the Affordable Care Act, facility maintenance, debt service, the need for technology upgrades, an upcoming teacher's contract and a Senate bill that could significantly decrease the amount of state money District 200 receives each year.
"Those matters are daunting and in front of us," he said. "The last thing I want to do is go to the referendum matter. I believe that we are obligated and we've been put in these seats to be mindful of other people's money."
Gambaiani did not support the issuance of nearly $10 million in bonds for facility work last year because he felt the district has to "find other vehicles to manage these expenses that are coming at us."
He said "unpopular decisions" will need to be made in near future. One, he said, might be a discussion about teachers and staff making bigger contributions for health care, which he believes could capture "millions of dollars."
Crabtree said she also can't support a referendum now because the district still needs to takes a better look at the "big picture."
"I think we need that big picture because the worst thing you can do is say, 'We need a referendum now to do this,' and then two years later say, 'Oh, we need something again.'"
Every year, she said, the board should "look at the relevance of curriculum and programs" that each school offers. Being creative about cost savings should be a priority too, she said. An example she pointed to is new online courses. Lobbying, she added, is also important.
In addition, Crabtree said she would like to have ongoing discussions with the teachers union, even in non-contract years, so "we stay on top of their priorities and needs."
Zapf said she would like to see some of the district's financial woes solved with more collaboration. That includes, she said, educating and working with community members if the district has to turn to a referendum.
"It's about, how important is this to you? How important is it to me? Let's come up with an understanding and a plan that we can agree upon and both be excited to move forward, not sending anyone running and screaming from the referendum," she said.
If the voters say no to higher taxes, Zapf said the district will need to "collaborate with our professional team" to identify opportunities to save money.
"We run very lean as is. So finding those opportunities where it would have the least amount of impact are going to be hard to do," she said.
Tonn said his job as a District 200 special education teacher assistant gives him insight into where things can be cut.
"If we're doing things smart, we don't always need more money," he said.
One cost-saving move he proposed is for the board to ensure the district has "all of the right talent."
"Are we getting our money's worth out of all of our top administration?" he said.
If the district eventually needs to put a referendum on the ballot, Tonn said, "Everybody has to be convinced there is absolutely no more money to be saved in the district and all the cost savings have been rung out completely. Although we have said that as a district, I don't think everybody buys into that and I don't think everybody is confident that's happening.
"Ultimately, it's the public's decision as to what kind of school district they want to have, what kind of buildings they want to have, what kind of teachers they want to have," he said.