District 300 Administration Issues Open Letter on Eve of Budget Announcements
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Dear Du Quoin Community Unit District Community Stakeholders:
There is no doubt that informed citizens realize the financial condition within the government of the State of Illinois. Depending on what sources you may use, the state is facing an $11 billion to $12 billion deficit as those in state government start the process of building a FY 2011 State budget. As you may also be aware the state is nearly 120 days behind in providing reimbursement to health care providers, state supported services, and to educational entities. To what extent these various entities are owed is germane to each group. For the past few years as the state's financial condition has deteriorated K-12 education though has gone largely unscathed, that it seems is now about to change.
State Action Causes $1 Billion Hole
From a local school district standpoint two glaring issues are on the horizon in the development of our local FY 2011 school district budget. As a matter of information, for the last two years the State has received over $3 billion in federal stimulus funds to fill part of the gaping State budget hole. Of this $3 billion, $1 billion was placed in the K-12 state education budget for each of the last two years. In 2009 these funds were placed in the general state aid formula that benefits most downstate school districts. In 2010 these funds are to be placed in the general state aid formula with some stimulus funds going to programs for early childhood. In providing these stimulus funds to schools in the form of State aid, these funds were given in lieu of other state monies generally placed in this formula. Let us again stress that the stimulus funds placed in the general state aid formula were not in addition to funds that were already there. In reality the amount that was replaced was used elsewhere in the overall State budget plan.
No Stimulus Funds = Funding Problems
During the coming fiscal year, stimulus funds will not be in place for the state to use to assist with its $12 billion budget shortfall. How do they propose to fill this $3 billion hole of no longer having federal stimulus funds and for education how does the state plan to fill the $1 billion hole for education funding? This is a dilemma of mass proportions. For 2009 (according to our most recent audit) the Du Quoin School District received just over $1.5 million that was the result of federal stimulus dollars being placed in the state aid formula. For this year, the district (as we have been told) is to receive four general state aid payments through federal stimulus funds. More importantly, if this $1 billion hole in state aid to eligible school districts in Illinois is not filled the Du Quoin School District alone could stand to lose $1.5 million in state aid. Likewise, for this year we are to receive over $860,000 in the four largest of several categorical aid programs mandated by the state. These aid programs are the major funding sources for our mandated special education and transportation programs. At this time we have received only one payment for each of these four programs. Usually at this time of year we have received two full payments for each of these four categorical aid programs and are being told two full payments is all we may see for this entire year. So the easy math for the reimbursement of these State mandated programs could mean an additional loss of $430,000 categorical aid to the school district. Are we to only educate half of the students with special needs or only offer transportation in the evening? Shall we educate students in a class of 40 students per teacher? That answer should be a resounding NO. In summary, the present condition of the state financial situation could result in the Du Quoin School District losing $1.9 million in state funding.
How It Impacts Our School
As we begin to prepare a school district budget for a fiscal year that begins on July 1 many tough decisions will have to be made to address this $1.9 million problem created by the State. Are those in governmental positions telling us how they plan to address this State fiscal problem? When will we know the State's fiscal plan for FY 2011? With a lack of funding or even knowing what the state plans are for the coming year therein lays the problem. Will components of our local school district budget have to be cut? More notably will these cuts impact our children? I believe you can answer both of these questions. In addressing this major problem it is no secret the district employs a large number of people from the community to provide for the educational needs of our children. With a lack of state funding, programs and positions will have to be reduced or eliminated. By law school districts must follow certain statutes and timelines as outlined in the school code when it examines the elimination or a reduction of staff positions. For our district that time will come during this month. I believe it will be beyond all comprehension to believe we will know the state's budget plan So, major yet tough decisions will have to be made. We hope these decisions that impact the elimination of positions will only be temporary until the State's budget plan is determined When will that occur? Will it happen over the summer prior to the next school year? Only the legislature and governor can answer that question. As citizens who desire the best for our children we must be heard in Springfield to compel the state to act. School districts from throughout the state can only hope that success is realized in developing a budget that will keep school districts from making permanent reductions or cuts that will negatively impact the educational needs of children throughout our State. For more information about the development of the state of Illinois budget go to: www.budget.illinois.gov
In appreciation of your continued support,
Larry Valier
District 300 Board of Education President
Dr. Gary Kelly
District District 300 Superintendent
Jean Ann Mathis
DEA Co-President
Nikki Saunders
DEA Co-President