The District 202 Board of Education on February 11, 2010 approved a plan to save about $22 million to help reduce a projected $16 million operating deficit. The savings come through personnel cuts (159 positions); non-personnel cuts (about $13.8 million); and new revenues (about $1.2 million).

However, even with those cuts, it appears certain that more cuts will be necessary next year because some of this year's cuts comprise one-time, unsustainable savings. As well, the State of Illinois is expected to reduce education funding by millions, or even billions of dollars.

Current financial data indicates that District 202 already faces an operating deficit next year of about $8.5 million, assuming state funding is frozen at current levels. Cuts of state funding at the levels being discussed will cost District 202 tens of millions of dollars of state revenue.

• Final Deficit Reduction Plan (posted 2-23-10)  
• Frequently Asked Questions (posted 3-10-10)