District 128 officials scheduling financial discussions
Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 officials are scheduling a series of public talks about the district's financial outlook.
The program will be called "School Finance 101." Dates haven't been set, but the first session could be held in early December.
"We still have a few more pieces to put in place," Superintendent Prentiss Lea said during Monday's facilities and finance committee meeting at Libertyville High School.
The meetings are being put together at a time when District 128 officials are facing scrutiny from a small number of residents over financial decisions.
The critics have questioned teacher salaries, the cost of education, planned construction projects and other money matters. The size of the district's financial surplus - estimated at $81 million this summer - has been a particular bone of contention for the critics.
Four or five meetings likely will be scheduled, said Yasmine Dada, the district's assistant superintendent for business.
"Depending on the interest, obviously," Dada said. "If many people show up, we would do more."
Topics likely will include the state's rules for school finances, a discussion of the district's financial situation, student performance and the capital needs at Libertyville High and Vernon Hills High.
The sessions may be held at the schools and at the Libertyville and Vernon Hills village halls.
This isn't the first time District 128 officials have held meetings specifically designed to educate the public about the schools' finances.
Similar sessions were held in 2011.