Education Partners - September 23, 2009

District 202 Education Partners, hello!

This is a special dispatch to share very important information about the work being done to eliminate the projected $16 million deficit in the 2009-2010 operating budget.

Our Assistant Supt. for Business and Operations on Monday presented his proposed strategy for eliminating the deficit over the next four years, as part of a plan we must file with the state.

I've attached both the Power Point that was given, and a special Board of Education Meeting Notes that outlines Monday's presentation. Both of these items, and much more information, is available on the front page of the district web site under "Important Information": Click here: Proposed 2009-10 District Budget

Here are a few key points:

• The top priority will be to minimize the impact on students. We will explore and exhaust possible reductions in operations and staff before approaching any that directly impact students.
  
  
• We will run two parallel initiatives: to cut costs, and increase revenues.
  
  
• The proposed strategy calls for BOTH "across the board" AND "targeted" reductions among programs, departments, services, etc.
  
  
• All recommendations will be as "data driven" as possible.
  
  
• We will leave no stone unturned. However, the solution will very likely involve further staff reductions in coming years. District 202, like ALL school districts, is essentially a "people businesses." Typically, 75-80 percent of our operating expenses are salaries and benefits.
  
  
• In addition to our regular communications, we are already planning several new means to both disseminate important information and gather public feedback about this subject, on a regular schedule. 

Finally, we will continue to update you proactively and aggressively as we always do, with pertinent, key information. We will not and do not rely on the media.  Rather, we will continue to come directly to you with the information you need to be an informed parent and taxpayer.

Thanks as always for your understanding and support.

Tom Hernandez
Director of Community Relations
Plainfield CCSD 202
(815) 577-4008 (office)
tahernan@psd202.org
"We Prepare Learners for the Future"

Board of Education Special Meeting Notes - 9/21/09 special budget workshop

September 21, 2009 Budget Workshop Presentation (PDF)