The District 153 school board adopted a $37.85 million budget at its Monday, Sept. 16, meeting.
Superintendent Scott McAlister said the community’s approval of the 2022 referendum that increased the education fund means the district has been able to start eliminating the deficit, improve its aging facilities and replenish a cash reserves account.
“We have been able to take a deficit in excess of $2 million and now it’s down to $150,000 and the only reason it’s that is because we put a new roof on Churchill (School) and are putting a new roof on Willow (School) next year,” the superintendent said.
“Those two things in themselves address our set goal to upgrade our facilities, and we’re still going to squirrel some money away for savings.
“I just want the public to know those funds are really, really valuable. Thank you again for supporting the referendum.”
The district’s biggest expense is salaries and benefits totaling about 75% of the budget, according to Eric Trimberger, chief school business official.
In other business, the board heard a concern from a parent about staff for the Early Childhood program. One of the teaching positions is vacant, and the best the district could do at this time is to have a credentialed teacher three days a week rather than a full five-day schedule. McAlister said the position will remain posted as an opening until it is filled.
The 6th Day Enrollment number serves as the official enrollment number to the Illinois State Board of Education. District 153 has an enrollment of 1,854 students, a drop of about 50 from last school year. McAlister said he expected the district will continue to gain students and will be close to the previous year’s 1,900 enrollment number.
The kindergarten and first grade classes are the smallest classes in the district. Kindergarten is 147 students compared to last year’s 150 students. This year, the first grade class has 156 students. McAlister said: “It’s too early to say that’s a trend.” The largest class is 7th grade with 262 students.
The school board approved a Biking Club at James Hart School. It will complement the Riding For Focus Program. Outride, a nonprofit group in California, provided 30 bikes to Hart to encourage students to learn to ride bikes. This summer, local bike enthusiasts raised $1,100 for the Hart program to purchase additional bikes. Teacher Matt Somodi initiated the after-school club that will build enthusiasm for bike riding and help participants learn bike repairs.