Dist. 300 education fund shows $940,214 shortfall Additional notices of intent to retire; DHS parking lot missed Aug. 1 completion deadline
When Dennis Cole ran for election on the Du Quoin Community Unit District 300 board of education he asked for "accountability" in a "school district that wants for nothing."
Board member Mike Ward had opposed the recently approved multi-year contract for Supt. Gary Kelly saying simply that the district couldn't afford it. So did others, but they were in a minority.
On top of that, the board had seen a $346,555 cut in state aid during the Fiscal 2012 year and another $776,516 loss in state aid in Fiscal 2013. By Dr. Gary Kelly's own estimate the state aid loss to the district in Fiscal 2014 will be $809,220 for a combined three year loss of $1,932,291.
The board recently signed off on a multi-year contract with teachers that provides for a modest salary increase every year instead of asking for an administrative and staff wage freeze.
Completion of the new Du Quoin High School and sports complex on budget hinges not on adhering to the construction plan, but on the arrival of a $600,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency stipend not originally counted on for making the building "earthquake proof," something commercial builders now do anyway.
The board keeps getting hit with change orders on the new school and last night found out that moving an Ameren gas line in front of the new school will cost yet another $750, one of dozens of incidentals.
The bottom line: All of these things add up to a projected $940,214 deficit in the education fund in the 2013-2014 District 300 budget, a deficit in the construction fund (some of that of which can be reasonably explained) with small surpluses in the operations and maintenance funds, debt service, transportation, working cash and tort liability funds.
Other funds showing deficits are the municipal retirement fund, capital projects and fire safety.
The education fund pays out $8,030,393 in salaries and $2,503,615 in benefits each year.
"It's not a good picture," Supt. Kelly said as board members sat quietly in front of him.
Last week, Dr. Kelly indicated the board can buy one more year of savings through attrition in staff because of retirements, then things get really tight as the district runs out of options on moving existing personnel around.
As Dr. Kelly talked about scheduling an upcoming special meeting to consider "deficit reductions" Du Quoin Education President Jean Ann Mathis sat in the front row of the audience and commented, "I just don't want to cut more staff."
Dr. Kelly squarely put the blame on growing shortfalls in state aid. Yet, the board has been fully aware of the money it wouldn't have for the past four years. There is no idea that the wrongs will be righted anytime soon as lawmakers continue to sidestep the explosive issue of pension reform.
Dr. Kelly did comment that he felt the district's facilities could do a better job of paying for themselves.
In other agenda items: Jean Ann Mathis, representing the DEA spoke to the board to thank the administration for the institute day teacher's/staff luncheon. She also informed the board that all staff have or would be undergoing training on the district's new evaluation plan for certified staff and non-certified/support staff.
Board member Larry Valier asked if there were any penalties to the contractor for not meeting an August 1 on completion of the Du Quoin High School parking lot. Architect Paul Lunsford said there are not.
The board accepted letters of intent to retire in accordance with the DEA/Board contract from the following: Denver Tolbert as a Middle School Teacher effective at the end of the 2013-2014 school year; and those effective at the end of the 2015-2016 school year: Jane Tuthill as a high school teacher, Deborah Mannino as a high school teacher, Debra DeMent as an elementary school teacher, Jan Weinberg as an elementary school teacher, Loyann Lantzy as a middle school teacher , and Robert Johnson as a middle school teacher.
The board accepted a letter of intent to retire in accordance with the DEA/Board contract from Margaret "Bitty" Craig as a high school instructional aide effective at the end of the 2015-2016 school year.