D-26 Conducts Administrative Review

In efforts to find cost savings, the administration conducted an administrative review to find out efficiencies of staffing levels, expenses of the administration and staff comparisons to districts with similar enrollment.

sparked the question of performing an administrative review and assured the public that a review would take place.

At the district's finance committee meeting Tuesday night, Superintendent Brian Coleman presented the committee and the audience with an administrative analysis study, which covered reductions made over the past few years, staff expenses, recommendations and a staff survey from his administrative team.

Jenner, who’s was not physically present at the meeting, phoned in for the meeting.

“There is nothing in there about comparing us to with other administration,” he said of the administration’s analysis comparing district 26 to other school districts.

Jenner said he would like to compare district 26 to other public bodies or even private industries.

“In a macro view, how can we compare one industry against another on a macro view and get insight from that?” board president Chris Spoerl asked.

In response, Jenner mentioned that he’s looking for efficiencies in the administration and said “are we running as lean as we can?”

Coleman said when you’re looking at a public school office, enrollment and working with students, its just a little bit different.

When looking at 2010 data from the Illinois School Report Card, district 26’s student per administrator ratio, is one of the highest in the state, at 220 students to one administrator, with the state average ranked at just above 200 students to one administrator.

Recommendation for cost savings

Provide HVAC system training to the current operations coordinator and move the monitoring and regulating of building HVAC systems in-house.

As enrollment declines, administrators can be shared between building or cover other district responsibilities. 

Utility costs could be saved by closing down the administrative center during the winter and spring break.

Shortened work week during summer, working 40 hours a week but closing administrative office on Friday could reduce utility costs.

The cost of the early retirement option offered through IMRF and TRS for a limited qualifying group could potentially provide savings to the district

Pupil to Administrator Ratio

Cary D26: 220 students to 1 administrator

Illinois School Districts: 201 students to 1 administrator

Benchmark Districts/McHenry Districts: 199 students to 1 administrator

McHenry Elementary Districts: 181 students to 1 administrator

2010 Data provided by Illinois School Report Card, presented by Superintendent Brian Coleman

Certified Staff to Administrator Ratio

Cary D26: 16.3 certified staff to 1 administrator

Benchmark Districts/McHenry Districts: 15.4 certified staff to 1 administrator

Illinois School Districts: 15.3 certified staff to 1 administrator

McHenry Elementary Districts: 14 certified staff to 1 administrator

2010 Data provided by Illinois School Report Card, presented by Superintendent Brian Coleman

Benchmark Districts

Prairie Grove 46

Crystal Lake 47

Fox River Grove 3

Marengo-Union

McHenry 15

Nippersink 2

Harrison 36

Huntley 158

Riley 18

Non-Mchenry County

Arlington Heights 25

Barrington 220

Schaumburg 54

Kildeer 96

Palatine 15