D-26 Battle State Funding Woes

Despite the lack of funding from the state,  could potentially end fiscal year 2012 with a $100,000 surplus. 

With many items coming under budget such as purchased services, supplies, reductions of hours for paraprofessionals and changes related to the newly negotiated union contract, the district may end the year with in the positive column.

However, T. Ferrier, director of finance and operations and Superintendent Brian Coleman said there are still three months left in fiscal year 2012 and figures may change. 

The state of Illinois has yet to make two categorical payments, each totaling $550,274 and Ferrier is unsure if the state will pay between now and June 30. 

If the state does pay, the administration recommends using those funds for roof repair at Three Oaks and Deer Path and address the district's phone system needs, Ferrier said.  

Coleman said given all indications, it’s not getting better, and it’s actually getting worse as far as the state being able to fund districts. He said if the state does pay its to the benefit of the district but if not, the budget is still in good shape. 

According to a Illinois State Board of Education press release, the state "remains behind in payments for the third consecutive year to school districts." 

As of the week of March 21, "the state owed more than $4.4 billion in overdue payments, including $729 million in education-related bills," the press release said. 

Surplus Could Be Used for Technology

Even though figures may change and the state may decide to pay one of the payments, the finance committee did discuss possible options for the extra $100,000 the district may see in three months.

The funds could be put into savings or used to purchase additional SMART media bundles, which are SMART boards combined with projectors, laptops and document cameras, for teachers to use in there classrooms. 

The district has few SMART boards throughout the schools, with most of them at the  and a handful divided between the elementary schools. 

 Principal Chad Nass said the SMART boards his school has, are used everyday. Nass said the boards are housed in two classrooms but others have the opportunity to use them by putting in a request three days in advance.

Valerie McCall, director of curriculum and instruction, said she wants to have the boards mounted in classrooms, so teachers wouldn't have issues transporting them and recalibrating the machine each time its moved. 

As of now, the district has budgeted to purchase 15 new bundles but if the Board of Education decides to use the surplus to purchase additional bundles, it would accomplish part of the five-year technology integration plan and provide more flexibility for teachers and students. 

The board will vote at the next regular board meeting on April 23.