Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
Seven people attended the final informational meeting Monday before Tuesday’s election that will include a referendum for $1.25 million in operating costs for the Delavan-Darien School District for the next three years.
Superintendent Robert Crist and Coordinator of School and Community Relations Mike Heine answered questions from the public at the third and last meeting regarding the Nov. 4 vote.
At least one resident voiced support for the vote – the district’s second attempt to secure revenue beyond its state-imposed limits. David Reinhart said the school board has whittled down costs and the district a lot to be proud of.
“They have carved the budget down to the bone,” he said. “What are we going to do, continue to shrivel or fight to make the district better?”
A $2.1 million referendum to exceed revenue limits on a recurring basis failed in April. This time the district set a three-year limit on the additional revenue. By that time, Crist said, the district’s $1.37 million in debt will be paid off.
Other residents at Monday’s meeting questioned the need for curriculum like the dual language immersion program that the additional revenue will pay for.
John Nelson asked whether the program is unique to the district and why it is such a good program if no one else in the county is using it. Heine said the optional program fits the needs of the district. Nelson asked if the program is a record of success elsewhere. Crist, Heine and board member Steve Logterman said they had visited successful programs and the research the district conducted showed this program was the best available.
Carol Coccia asked if the district is actively teaching English and how many of the district’s Latino students are taught only in Spanish. Crist said all students are taught in English at least some of the time.
Jessie Grober asked how much the dual language program costs the district. Crist said the only additional cost is the salary for the program’s coordinator, Ron Sandoval.
Crist outlined the need for the referendum in a letter that said the district made more than $1 million in staff cuts before the start of the school year and saved another $524,000 in operational efficiencies.
Crist said the district reduced its teaching staff by eight positions and cut 13 halftime educational aide positions, one full-time aide position, two technology integrator positions and two administrators this summer.
If approved, the referendum would add 41 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value or about $41.40 for a property valued at $100,000 per year. The failed referendum in April would have added $1.28 per $1,000 or $128.04 per $100,000.
Crist said the referendum is necessary to provide the staffing and programming needs of the district’s students including one-to-one technology, the dual language immersion program, new curriculum in core areas, updated woods and metals shops and the curriculum for each, and other athletic and extra-curricular activities. Crist said most of these initiatives came from the district’s community-created and supported strategic plan.
Crist said the school board approved borrowing up to $1 million from the state trust fund that would not have to be used if the referendum passes. Crist said further staff reductions and program cuts will be necessary if the referendum fails.
Coccia asked what the district does to market itself. Crist said the district hired Heine in 2009, takes out a full page in the Delavan Enterprise, and posts things on its website to get the word out about district successes.
Nelson asked what the district has to market based on open enrollment numbers.
Crist said things have been made more difficult by the negative perception some people who haven’t even been in district schools have helped to perpetuate in the community.
Grober also asked if new positions would be added if the referendum passes. Crist said no new positions would be added if it passes but more will be cut if it fails.
After the informational meeting ended, the School Board had a special meeting to approve two versions of a budget and tax levy. One budget assumed the referendum will pass and set the levy at $16.34 million with a mill rate of $10.24 per $1,000 of property value.
The board also approved a tax levy of $15.1 million a mill rate of $9.46 per $1,000 of property value assuming the referendum fails. The election will determine which version is certified.
