Glenview D34 Passes 2011-12 Budget

Despite facing a projected deficit (-$2,490,783) for the 2011-12 school year, school board members passed a finalized budget during their Sept. 19 regular meeting.

Documentation provided by school officials in the now-approved plan shows that the district's expenditures ($67,727,419) will be about 3.7 percent more than its anticipated income ($65,236,636).

No one from the public made a statement during the public comment session, prior to the approval of the budget. 

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Board issues immediate statement

Immediately after board members approved the final plan, District 34 officials released a written statement which stated, in part:

"Monday, Sept. 19, 2011 - The Board of Education approved the 2011-12 budget, which projects a $2.4 million deficit on a $66.7 million budget.

"As part of that meeting, the board also reviewed the unaudited 2010-11 financial figures. During 2010-11, the district fell into deficit spending for the first time in six years, spending $400,000 more than revenues as a part of a $65.4 million budget.

"Both of the school years' (10-11 and 11-12) spending shortfalls will be covered through the $37 million (56.3% of the 2011-12 projected expenditures) currently in reserve. School districts across the state maintain fund balances. The reason relates to the fact that school districts receive the bulk of revenue payments just twice each year through property tax collections. In order to avoid short term borrowing in between tax revenue payments, the state recommends haveing at least a 25% fund balance. The District 34 Board policy stipulates maintaining at least a 30% fund balance."

Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Mary Werling noted via teleconference just how important the community's tax base and assistance are for the district, despite the tough economic times.

"A significant amount of our funds come from local sources (89%)," Werling said. She added that about eight percent comes from the state, and about three percent from the federal government.

According to school officials, there are a number of reasons why the district expects to be in the red this coming year. Among them:

• State of Illinois' financial crisis.
• Illinois currently has $3.3 billion in unpaid bills.
• According to D34 officials, the state still owes the district about $900,000 in late payments, as they are 4-6 months behind schedule.
• The state's $7 billion in cuts resulted in an additional $700,000 of revenue reduction from the state.
• A $224,000 Early Childhood grant was not awarded.
• Regular transportation reimbursement was reduced by $193,570, or about 26%, due to a veto by Governor Pat Quinn.
• Federal impact aid was reduced by $25,986.
• New Teacher Mentor Program not funded by the state, resulting in a $154,000 impact as well.

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Still plenty of good news

Despite the shortage, there will be no increase in student fees, officials said. Additionally, according to District 34's most recent newsletter, an assessment report and survey gave the district and its teachers glowing reviews. Among the highlights:

• D34 survey results showed almost 97% of parents agreed or strongly agreed the district was providing their child or children "with a high-quality education."
• The district carries a bond rating of Aaa, the highest rating a district can be given.
• D34 is just one of 22 districts in Illinois to carry such a rating, and only one of 68 in the entire United States, according to the newsletter.
• At the Sept. 19 meeting, officials announced the district had a 95.9 percent teacher retention rate in 2010-11.
• 83.6 percent of D34 teachers have an advanced degree. 

Plan in place to combat future deficits

Because the district is concerned about the deficit, it has already embarked on what it calls a "strategic budgeting process." According to the D34 press release:

"The first two steps have already begun through the work of two committees - Citizen's Finance Advisory Committee (CFAC) and the Budget Alignment Advisory Committee (BAAC). The membership of both committees includes community members, staff and administrators.

"CFAC has been constituted for more than 10 years and its main focus this year is on providing projections of future expenditures and revenues to help determine future budget scenarios....."

For more specific information on the 2011-12 budget, log on to the D34 website or e-mail the board with specific questions at board@glenview34.org.

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