Schools

District 203 Projects Balanced Budget Despite State Uncertainties; Set to Vote on 2012-13 Graduation Date Change

Naperville Unit School District 203 board members discussed state pension reform issue as well as changing next year's graduation date at Monday's meeting.

Even though , officials said they have prepared budget projections for whatever “gets thrown” at them next from the state.

At last night’s board of education meeting, members discussed ways to maintain a balanced budget despite the uncertainties surrounding the state’s ongoing pension issue - an issue that is set to come up in Springfield again this summer.

“There are ways of coping with some of the unknowns that we have for the future and still making our budgets balanced into the future, and we have time to accomplish that,” said District 203 Chief Financial Officer Dave Zager on Monday night. “Probably no matter what gets thrown at us from the state.”

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As officials wait and see how Illinois lawmakers deal with the pension issue, some options within the district may include cuts, depending on the district’s contract negotiations with unions.

“We’ll have to take a hard look at some of the services we offer and what our negotiations are with our various unions,” Zager said.

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For now, district officials await a June 18 public hearing on the district’s 2012-13 budget.

Compared to last year, the operating budget has increased 4 percent to $233 million and the total budget is $240.9 million for 2012-13. 

State funding is set to decrease for the district from $21.7 million to $20.9 million while federal funding is anticipated to remain the same as last year.

Included in the total budget is an increase of $3.6 million for improvements or new gymnasiums or multipurpose rooms at , , and .

2012-13 Graduation Change

Also on the agenda at last night’s meeting was discussion on changing the 2012-13 graduation date. 

Currently, the commencement is scheduled for Saturday, May 18 with a rain date of Sunday, May 19. But a number of IHSA state and regional finals are also scheduled for May 18.

“It’s not unusual that we have a graduation date on the same date of a sporting event, for example, this year boy’s volleyball,” said District Interim Superintendent Dan Bridges. “But it is a potential conflict with seven different events scheduled for that day.”

At the June 18 board meeting, members will vote on changing the 2012-13 graduation date to Monday, May 20 with a rain date of Tuesday, May 21. 

 


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