D225 Board Approves Tentative Budget

At a meeting on July 30, the Glenbrook High School District 225 Board of Education approved the tentative 2012-13 budget. As part of the process, the Board also reviewed the 2011-12 fiscal year.

The 2012-13 budget projects $101,502,769 in revenues and $102,047,295 in expenditures in the Operating Fund. Based on the tentative budget for 2012-13, the District forecasts an Operating Fund balance of $65.3 million as of June 30, 2013.

 “Maintaining strong fund balances is a key financial strategy for our district as we face uncertainties such as increasing student enrollment and potential decreases in state and federal funding,” said Board President Skip Shein. “By doing so, we greatly enhance our ability to continue providing the level of service our community expects from the Glenbrooks.”

The majority (95%) of the District budget is funded locally, primarily through property taxes with less than 5% of funding provided by state and federal sources (compared to the average Illinois school district which receives approximately 38% from the state and 9% from federal sources).

This structure gives District 225 taxpayers greater control over the quality and value of their schools.  It also ensures a favorable credit rating for the District and protects the schools from severe fluctuations in revenues, which could result in the elimination of programs.

“We feel it is important in the Glenbrooks to provide generational equity,” said Superintendent Dr. Mike Riggle. “A growing student enrollment requires that we hire additional staff. Our communities expect our current students to receive the same great quality education and opportunities that students have enjoyed in the past.”

As part of the budget discussion, the Board also reviewed the previous fiscal year. During the 2011-12 school year, the District exceeded its revenue target in the Operating Fund and also spent less on expenditures. The higher revenue occurred for numerous reasons including: slightly higher tax collections that budgeted; receipt of deferred state and federal grants; and fewer property tax refunds.

The District realized savings through targeted efficiencies, and came in one-percent under budget in the Operating Fund. The result was an additional $5.5 million added to the Operating Fund reserves, leaving the District in a strong financial position for 2012-13.  
 

“Our District maintains a conservative budget through our commitment to cost reduction strategies and by minimizing our dependence on state and federal funding sources,” said Assistant Superintendent for Business Hillarie Siena. 
 

In addition to past budget reduction strategies targeting the areas of staffing, supplies, transportation, and purchased services such as utilities, the District continues to identify areas for cost containment.  The District continues to explore opportunities to collaborate with municipal and school district partners, and puts considerable effort into improving energy conservation.

The District will post the tentative budget for 2012-13 on its website for public viewing. The community will also have an opportunity to provide its input at a public hearing at the regularly scheduled Board Meeting on September 10, at 7 p.m. in the Glenbrook South High School Student Activities Center. In addition, the budget will be available for public viewing at the District Office reception desk, located at 3801 West Lake Avenue, Ste. 200, for no less than 30 days, starting July 31.

The Board is expected to adopt the final budget during the business portion of the meeting on September 24, 2012.