District 59 to ask voters whether to eliminate layer of government
Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 school board members Monday took steps to eliminate a little-known layer of government, though it will ultimately be up to voters in November.
District 59 is one of 99 school districts in Cook County that have associated township trustees of schools and treasurers who are responsible for managing and overseeing the district's investments.
But 44 other school districts in the county have eliminated the positions over the years, and District 59 officials say many of the functions are already handled by their business office.
The school board voted 6-1 Monday night to place a referendum question on the Nov. 8 ballot seeking to abolish the three elected Elk Grove Township trustees of schools positions and the appointed treasurer.
"With all the talk of all the layers of government in Illinois, this is easily one layer that can be eliminated," said board member Sharon Roberts.
The three trustees of schools - Art Niewiardowski, Dale Niewiardowski and Steve Schneider - attend quarterly meetings to review investment reports and approve operating budgets of treasurer Dennis Saviano, an Elmhurst certified public accountant.
They oversee investments for both District 59 and Mount Prospect Elementary District 57, whose school board is expected to vote July 21 to put a similar referendum question on the ballot.
The trustees serve 6-year terms and don't get paid, but Saviano is paid about $50,000 annually from District 59 and $20,000 annually from District 57.
District 59 board member Tim Burns, the lone "no" vote against the resolution, said abolishing the positions would be removing an important financial control of the district.
"Do people trust District 59 with their money?" Burns said. "I don't know if I agree."
Board Vice President Janice Krinsky said Saviano oversaw a small amount of the district's investments, but that much of the work is done through a district contract with William Blair & Co.
"We have high-quality people overseeing our investments," Krinsky said. "It's in really good hands and good shape."