D-26 to Act on Staffing and Reductions

School District 26 will has a lot on their plate for tonight’s regular Board of Education meeting.

 Superintendant Brian Coleman and his staff have been working on a new staffing plan for the 2011-12 school year and he plans to present it tonight.

Earlier presented had five classes in the district with 35 students, which alarmed many in the community and sparked a special finance committee meeting because of much discussion from the board, staff and the community.

Along with the staffing plan, the board will also discussed and possibly take action on the reduction list, which is broken down into two tiers.

The of cuts has salary freezes for transportation, education, administrators, unemployment savings, supply reductions and service savings.

However, the largest cut in tier 1 are the Wage and benefit concessions at $2.5 million, which will be discussed tonight in closed sessions between the board and the CEA.

There will be a negotiations update during the open forum period.

The , as T. Ferrier, Director of Finance and Operation calls it, “Worst-case Scenario.”

In this list, closing a school would amount to about $1.2 million in cuts but this is a fallback plan, which will be considered if the wage and benefit concessions agreements are not reached.

The board has to take action on the staffing plan, reduction list and registrations fees for fiscal year 2012.

Also, the board must take action on the amended budget for fiscal year 2011, district auditor contract, levy revenue recognition resolution and the policy addressing electronic communications with students.

The Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. at Cary Junior High School, 2109 Crystal Lake Rd.