D-12 board to vote on budget tonight

From the Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

D-12 board to vote on budget tonight
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – The District 12 school board will vote tonight on a proposed $27.8 million budget for the 2008-09 school year, a document which anticipates almost $300,000 in deficit spending.

The proposed budget includes more than $829,000 in administrative salaries, for which 4 percent increases were approved this summer. The increase boosted overall administrative costs about $31,000, excluding salaries for new business manager Dave Lawson and for Nancy Hurckes, who was promoted from a dean to an assistant principal.

Lawson, whose salary is $105,000, is earning $45,000 more than his predecessor. He works full-time versus Pat Bingman's part-time status prior to her departure. Hurckes will earn $85,704 in her new role.

Salaries include the teacher retirement system contribution of more than 9 percent. However, unlike many school districts, District 12 does not pay anything toward administrative TRS contributions, Lawson said.

The district budget also allots $2,243,414 for supplies and equipment, about $323,000 more than was budgeted for supplies and equipment for the 2007-08 school year, according to reports provided by the district.

"For supplies and equipment, the budget went up," Lawson said. "A pretty good chunk of that has to do with utility and fuel costs that continue to rise."

The cost for food services also has risen significantly, Lawson said.

He noted that last year the district spent about $290,000 more than initially budgeted for supplies and equipment, after experiencing significant energy cost increases.

"Diesel fuel, heating gas and electric went up last year," Lawson said. "The biggest increase was the diesel fuel. That went up probably $50,000 or $60,000 higher than was budgeted."

Although the district anticipates spending $300,000 more this year than its projected $27.4 million in revenues, money from positive fund balances will cover the gap. Lawson estimates that the district will end the year with $6.6 million in its coffers.

However, after outspending revenues each year for the past four years, the district will investigate cost-cutting measures, including keeping maintenance projects in-house, Lawson said.

Before the board votes on the proposed budget, the public can voice comments during the public hearing portion of tonight's meeting, which is at 7 p.m. at 2222 W. Church St., Johnsburg.

Top 2008-09 salaries are:
Superintendent: $136,774
Business Manager: $105,000
High School Principal: $108,680
Junior High Principal: $99,986
Bush School Principal: $101,901
Ringwood School Principal: $96,131
Student Services Director: $103,924
Note: Salaries include teacher retirement system contributions, which are not district-paid.
Source: District 12