SCHOOL DISTRICTS 85, 86 and
309
The District 85, 86 and 309 Boards of Education met
in Special Session on Thursday, November 6, 2003 at 6:00 P.M., at the East
Peoria Expo Center, 4200 E. Washington St., East Peoria, IL., Presidents
Buttice, District 85, President Densberger, District 86, and President King,
District 309, presiding. The purpose of
this Special Meeting was to hold a joint workshop with elected officials and
representatives of the East Peoria City Council.
CITY COUNCIL:
Mayor Charles
Dobbelaire introduced members of the Council:
Commissioner Archie Lyons, Commissioner Dave Mingus, Commissioner Harold
Fogelmark, Commissioner Jim Bevard,
Mr. Dennis
Triggs, City Attorney, Berta Dinkins, City Clerk, and Paula Smart, Assistant
City Clerk, Mr. Tom Brimberry, City Administrator, and Mr. Terri Gualandi, City
Treasurer/Comptroller.
DISTRICT 309 BOARD:
President King
called the roll, and the following members either answered present or were
recorded absent:
PRESENT: King,
Knobeloch, Laredo, Paulson, VandeSchraaf, Wells
ABSENT: Joseph
DISTRICT 86 BOARD:
Recording Secretary Gaal called the roll, and the
following members either answered present or were recorded absent:
PRESENT: Densberger, Ennis, Gross, Reinholdt,
Roberts, Tompkins
ABSENT: Wright
Member Wright arrived at 6:15 P.M.
DISTRICT 85 BOARD:
President
Buttice called the roll, and the following members either answered present or
were recorded absent:
PRESENT: Buttice,
Dearing, MacPhee, Norvill, Van Beuning
ABSENT: Schwader
and Visocky
Others in attendance were Superintendent Mike
Burdette, District 86, Superintendent Sally Masear, District 85, Superintendent
Cliff Cobert, District 309, Mayor Charles Dobbelaire, Commissioners Harold Fogelmark,
Dave Mingus, Archie Lyons, Jim Bevard, City Attorney Dennis Triggs, City
Treasurer Tom Brimberry, City Clerk, Berta Dinkins, Assistant City Clerk, Paula
Smart and Recording Secretary Cindy Gaal.
At the request
of Mayor Dobbelaire, all persons stood and pledged allegiance to the flag of
the United States of America.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Mayor
Dobbelaire welcomed all in attendance at this public forum to hear the
presentation being made by Districts 309, 86 and 85 in support of their
proposal of a city sales tax increase.
PRESENTATION / COMMENTS BY REPRESENTATIVES OF
DISTRICTS 85, 86, and 309
East Peoria Schools ~ Sales Tax Proposal to
the City of East Peoria
Superintendent
Sally Masear thanked the City Council for the opportunity to arrange this
meeting to address and share what each of the districts feel is a creative
proposal to help the children of East Peoria in our school districts in a time
when funding is a very serious issue around our state and especially in our
school districts here. She also thanked
those in the audience for attending.
Who is in need?
The students
of East Peoria Schools
¨ Learning Process
¨ Infra-structure of the buildings
¨ Playgrounds our children play on
Unfunded
Mandates:
No Child Left Behind: Federal legislation implemented over a year ago. Under No Child Left Behind the Federal
government has put stringent parameters on all states for student
achievement. By 2014, according to
NCLB, 100% of students must pass mandatory achievement tests linked to the
Illinois Learning Standards.
Realistically all children can’t achieve at 100%. State requires testing in grades 3-8, and
reading and math at all levels along with other subjects at various levels, and
high school Juniors take the Prairie State Achievement Tests. The revisions to testing are costing
Illinois School districts with no Federal dollars, and that definitely comes
back and links to the local level, as we are trying to link our curriculum to
assessment without adequate federal and state funding.
Special Education:
Public Law 94-142 IDEA legislation was supposed to
grant 40% monies for special education services to the states. These monies have not been received. District 85 has received maybe 15 to 20% and
in some districts that percentage is even lower. Special education costs are continually rising. Some programs are the right thing to do,
some are entitled and others are legally mandated to happen, but we don’t
always have the funds to provide the services.
Because of these mandated services that we have to provide, other
programs in the districts were not funded.
Increased Expenditures: (Insurance and Operations)
Insurance costs and operations costs have increased,
and we have no control over these costs.
Decreased Federal Revenues:
In another area, Title I programs, funded by the
Federal Government, were re-calculated based on the 2000 census figures. Robein got a zero on the 2000 census and
lost all Federal funding for title programs.
This loss, in combination with the loss if State dollars are the main
reasons Robein District is where they are now financially.
Why the need? (cont.)
State Revenues:
Impact of Tax Caps:
Another area of compounded loss in the last 4-5
years is not being able to access as much money as those communities that are
not under tax caps.
Borrowing/Utilizing Reserves:
Each of the districts have issued Working Cash Bonds
and are beginning to need to go into those reserve monies at different levels
in order to operate the programs due to the revenues that are decreasing and
the expenditures that are continually increasing.
Cost Containment and Budget:
Reductions FY 2004:
$70,800:
·
Special
Education Teacher
Even with the already small
staff size at Robein, one Special Ed Teacher was cut.
·
Band
Services were revised
·
A
Transportation Contract with District 309 was entered into in order to reduce
transportation costs.
·
A
Sports Fee of $30.00 for extra curricular programs was initiated.
·
Professional
Development was decreased for the Staff and Board.
·
Supplies
DISTRICT 85 FINANCIAL INFO
·
Balanced
budget past 2 years. The Board has been
very proud of this, as 80% of the schools across the state of Illinois are
operating with deficit budgets.
·
Projected
deficit budget FY2004
·
Loss
of Title Grant Federal dollars
·
Projected
decrease in State dollars
·
Working
Cash needed to balance Education and OBM funds in FY2005 & FY2006
$801,000
District 86
Board has been reducing the budget over the past several years. The budget cuts made this year are by far
the largest in the last several years.
·
Redistricting
boundaries to reduce class sizes and replacing experienced teachers with 1st
year. We were able to reduce class sizes
and it also allowed us to not need to hire additional staff. We also saved money by replacing retiring
teachers with 1st year teachers.
·
6
year rotation for computers vs. 5
Our computers usually come
with a 5 year warranty. We put off our
5 year rotation plan and this year we are paying the price because of more
repairs that have been necessary.
·
Eliminate
the position of Associate Superintendent
The district eliminated 2
Central Administrative positions, going from 3 administrators to 1.
·
Reduce
the number of instructional aides in our Special Education classes.
Special Education costs are
huge. About 20% of our students receive
special education services of some kind.
We have found it necessary to reduce the number of instructional aides
in some classes. We still meet
guidelines, but we’re not able to provide all the same services as in the
past. .
·
Eliminate
the CJHS technology support position
We have 3 tech labs and 3
computer labs and computers in all classrooms.
We had a full-time person on staff to keep all of this equipment
running. We reduced tech staff by one.
·
Reduce
supply allocations and purchased services
We don’t have as much money
for supplies, and we are in the process of re-bidding our purchased services in
an effort to reduce costs even further.
·
Transfer
funds from the State Track Meet to help pay for extracurricular activities
The past few years District
86 and Robein have sponsored the IESA Track Meet. Over 2000 athletes come to Eastside to participate. This has been a real money maker. For the past few years we have used the
money raised by the track meet for extra things for extra curriculars. This year we transferred the money into
the Educational Fund to help pay for the extra curricular activities.
·
Reduce
Staff Development expenditures
We reduced our budget in
Staff Development by about $10,000.
·
Reduce
Capitol outlay (Projectors, Smart Boards, etc.)
·
District
receives the same amount of GSA (General State Aid) from the State as in 1996.)
We are receiving less aid
and our expenses are continually increasing.
·
Reductions
in State and Federal Grants
·
2nd
year of deficit budget
·
Working
Cash will be used to balance the budget, but it will be depleted in 2 years.
·
District
Reserves will be depleted in two more years.
$463.009:
·
Administration
District 309 has reduced
their administrative staff by 12.5 %
·
Teacher
Retirements
·
Teacher
Reductions
Teaching staff has seen a
10% reduction, resulting in larger class sizes.
·
Support
Staff
·
Textbooks
and Supplies
The district has delayed
purchasing new texts
·
Increased
Book Fees
Last year book fees were
increased from $75 to $100.
·
Increased
Lunch Prices
·
Established
a Participation Fee
The district is now charging
$25.00 for each extra curricular activity a student participates in up to $50.
·
District
receives the same total of GSA and hold harmless from the state as in 1998.
District 309 has not
received an increase in 5 years.
·
Reductions
in State and Federal Grants.
The high school’s Gifted
Grant was eliminated this year.
·
Decade
of deficit budgets
The district has been able
to manage through borrowing and working cash and reserves.
·
Working
Cash will be used to balance the budget
·
District
Reserves will be depleted this year
Robein,
District 85’s test results show students are meeting or exceed State levels in
12 out of 13 areas of the test.
East
Peoria Elementary, District 86’s test results show students are exceeding in
every test area and in 10 out of the 13 areas they exceeded by 10%.
District
309 Prairie State Test:
East
Peoria Community High School, District 309 showed students exceeding last
year’s scores in 4 out of the 5 areas tested.
This test has only been given during the 2002 and 2003 school years.
Possible budget reductions:
Delayed
Implementation:
POSSIBLE REDUCTION/DELAYS
District 85
·
Increased
Class Size
·
Textbooks
and Supplies
Some of their textbooks date
back to 1980 copyright.
·
Remedial
Reading Support
On a part-time basis
·
Extra
Curricular Programs
·
Building
Repairs and Improvements
A lot of preventative maintenance has been put off even though we feel the buildings need to be maintained and in good repair. May possibly need even further reductions.
POSSIBLE REDUCTION/DELAYS
District 86
·
Change
from “School Within a School” to Department Schedule
This breaks down the big
feeling of Jr. High. 5 teachers work
with the same group of children each day.
·
Reduce
Number of Computers and Labs
·
Textbooks
New textbooks across all
grade levels cost anywhere from $50,000to $200,000
·
Boundary
Changes
May need to look into
additional changes.
·
Gifted
and Challenge Classes
All gifted money was
eliminated.
·
Extra
Curricular Programs
These programs aren’t really
extra, they are all a part of the educational experience.
·
Increased
Class Sizes
POSSIBLE REDUCTION/DELAYS
District 309
·
Reduce
Staff Positions
·
Administrative
·
Teachers
and Other Certified Positions
·
Support
Staff
·
Textbooks
and Supplies
·
Building
Maintenance and Repairs
District 309 does have a
preventative maintenance plan in force.
There are repairs that are necessary but as the budget gets tighter, a
decision will need to be made as whether to repair now or later.
·
Extra
Curricular Programs
These programs are very
important to the students as well as to the community. The district doesn’t want to cut, but may
need to look at all programs more closely.
·
School
Bus Replacement
Federal
and State Funding:
The districts
are receiving no increase in Federal or State funds.
Local:
·
Fees:
Adding fees will not balance the budget.
·
Property
Tax: Requires a vote.
Or
·
Sales Tax: A fairer alternative source of funding education.
SALES TAX PROPOSAL
Estimated Annual Dollars: $1,625,000
Proceeds to be distributed to Districts
50, 85, 86, and 309: The districts
didn’t just draw this figure out of a hat.
The estimated dollars generated from an additional ½ % city sales tax
would allow un to maintain the programs we currently have.
PROPOSED DISTRIBUTION FORMULA BASED ON
EAV AND STUDENT ENROLLMENT
District 50 3.0%
District 85 5.0%
District 86 49.5%
District 309 42.5%
100
%
ESTIMATED DISTRIBUTION
District 50 $48,750
District 85 $81,250
District 86 $804,375
District 309 $690,625
$1,625,000
These figures will vary according to an
individual’s personal consumption.
Food, pharmacy, services would not be taxed.
IMPACT OF SALES TAX INCREASE
Expenditures (excluding food/prescription
drugs)
Family Spending Additional
Tax
·
$80/Month
$4.80 per year
·
$400/Month $24.00 per year
·
$1,000/Month $60.00
per year
·
New Vehicle $2.50
*Increase only on first $500 of purchase
price.
IMPACT OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
Each $0.10 increase in tax = $275,000
$0.59 increase = $1,625,000
Impact on owner of $120,000 home: $236.36 per year
SALES TAX VS. PROPERTY TAX
·
If you own
a $120,000 home and spend $1,000 per month.
$60 per month vs. $236.00
THE CHOICE
The Board’s of East Peoria Elementary
District 86, East Peoria High School, District 309, and Robein, District 85
believe that the City of East Peoria has always supported its schools;
the schools are imperative to the
infrastructure and quality of life in East Peoria; and
the sales tax would provide needed funds
with a lesser burden on East Peoria property owners.
We respectfully ask for your vote on an
ordinance increasing the City’s non-home rules sales tax by ½ % to help
maintain the quality programs provided by the schools in our community.
COMMENTS CONTINUED: REPRESENTATIVES OF DISTRICTS 85, 86, and 309
None
DISCUSSION BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL LOCAL
GOVERNMENTAL UNITS
PARTICIPATING
Commissioner Fogelmark asked for a definition of
F.T.E. (Full-time Equivalent)
CONFIRMATION OF NEXT PUBLIC MEETING AND REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE GATHERED
Mayor
Dobbelaire thanked Superintendents Cobert, Burdette and Masear for their
presentations to the Council and gave his closing remarks. He stated that the council realizes that the
school districts are in a financial crunch, but didn’t know how to justify to
his staff that they can’t meet their own needs but can help another unit of
government. The council would review
all materials gathered. Would need to
determine if approved, would it be for a limited time and stipulations of how
the revenue would be used. He closed
by saying the Council will continue to give this proposal careful thought and
consideration.
MEETING
ADJOURNED AT 6:58 P.M.
City Council:
Motion by
Commissioner Fogelmark and seconded by Commissioner Bevard to adjourn
at 6:58 P.M.
District 85:
Motion by Norvill, seconded by Van Beuning, to
adjourn at 6:58 P.M. On roll call the following votes were recorded:
YEAS: Buttice, Dearing, MacPhee, Norvill,
Van Beuning
NAYS: None
Motion carried.
District 86:
Motion by
Gross, seconded by Tompkins, to adjourn at 6:58 P.M. On roll call the following votes were recorded:
YEAS: Densberger, Ennis, Gross, Reinholdt,
Roberts, Tompkins, Wright,
NAYS: None
Motion carried.
District 309:
Motion by
Paulson, seconded by Knobloch, to adjourn at 6:58 P.M. On roll call, the following votes were
recorded:
YEAS: King, Knobeloch, Laredo, Paulson,
VandeSchraaf, Wells
NAYS: None
Motion carried.
The Mayor declared the meeting be adjourned at 6:58
P.M.
________________________________
Cindy Gaal,
Recording Secretary
________________________
_______________________________
Steven Buttice, President Shauna Schwader , Secretary
85 Board of Education
85 Board of Education
______________________________ Gary Densberger, President Joseph
Roberts, Secretary
86 Board of Education 86 Board of Education
________________________
________________________________
Barbara King, President Tim VandeSchraaf, Secretary
309 Board of Education 309 Board of Education
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