A citizens committee studying the future of Naperville District 203 has reached a consensus on 36 statements about the school district.
Those statements address such issues as the district’s budget deficit, communication efforts, curriculum, buildings, teachers and staff. But the 63-person committee is at odds with how to address the administration’s fiscal responsibility.
On Monday night, the committee released the results of how members voted last week on 40 statements about the district. Statements with two-thirds of the vote will be included in its final report.
The committee is studying the district’s needs as the school board faces a projected $11.1 million education fund deficit for the current fiscal year. The district finished the 2000-01 year with a $4.5 million deficit.
The committee will hold a town hall meeting about its findings so far at 7 p.m. Monday in Naperville Municipal Center. It will issue its report Oct. 8.
Committee members endorsed a statement that says the district’s education fund deficit could be $57 million by the 2004-05 school year given current projected spending. Members also approved the next statement, saying that reversing the deficit trend will require “rational expense cuts and/or reasonable property tax increases.”
The committee approved statements about the community, including the belief that quality schools are one of the main reasons families move to Naperville. Members also agreed property values are linked to the quality of public schools and that there is evidence Naperville residents back education.
Members also supported a statement that says the district’s relationship with the community will be a factor in future interactions. They cited a failed 1994 revenue referendum proposal, tensions between a past school board and Supt. Don Weber, conflicts with leadership and “poor communication” over the last teachers contract approved in 1999, as past issues and developments that have shaped community relations.
A statement that got less than two-thirds support was that the district’s “administration operates in a cost-effective manner given its current staffing, salaries and duties.” But members supported the statement that “additional revenue is required to maintain the current level of programs and services and to balance the budget.”
On Monday night, the committee gave its financial study group the authority to develop four proposals for suggesting ways the school board address the district’s financial problems. The study group will develop those plans Thursday night and then present them at the town hall meeting.
After that discussion, the committee went into small groups to vote on consensus statements developed by teachers and staff study group. Members voted on 11 statements that address the ability to hire and retain teachers and staff.
After that vote, the finance study group asked the committee to revisit the fiscal responsibility statement. Richard Oppenheimer said the group believes that statement is important in explaining the district’s financial situation.
Committee members then debated whether being fiscally responsible means cutting expenses to match revenues or operating with a deficit because cutting teacher positions would affect the quality of education.
The next meeting will be Sept. 26 in Kennedy Junior High School in Lisle.
