Chilling rumors on state funding reductions
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Eldorado Superintendent Gary Siebert gave chilling news on possible future state aid for Illinois schools during Tuesday night's meeting.
Siebert the state had been talking about a 4.99-percent reduction in state aid, but now there is talk of a reduction of 10-percent or more.
The Illinois State Board of Education's Web site provides funding for Illinois Districts based on statewide reductions in state aid for next year of $258 million - as approved in a resolution of the Illinois House of Representatives - $500 million and $750 million.
For fiscal year 2012 Eldorado received $5,504,850. Under the $258 million reduction proposal Eldorado would receive $5,197,427. Under the $750 million proposal Eldorado would receive $4,583,408.
"You know there's that old saying, 'Show them death and they'll accept pain?' I think we'll be all right with the $258 million reduction," Siebert said.
He told the board the district's finances are in good shape and the district will weather the storm, but believes other districts may not fare so well. Siebert said he wishes the state in trying to get free of its own budget shortfalls would employ the method of scalpel rather than double-bitted ax.
"They didn't get in this problem in a year and I would like to see them take three or four years to try to get out of it," he said.
The district has received two transportation payments this year and Siebert said it would receive no more.
"Next time I send something out to you I don't know if it will be better news or worse," Siebert said.
The board approved a tentative amended fiscal year 2012 budget with $3 million in the education fund; $23,000 in the building fund; $77,000 in debt service fund; $78,000 in the transportation fund; $120,000 in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund; $82,000 in the working cash fund; $105,000 in TORT immunity; and $1 million in fire prevention.
The budget will go on display for 30 days. There will be a budget hearing 6:45 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. June 21 meeting.
During the meeting:
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The board approved a medical leave request for the rest of the school year for Kathy Hale.
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Due to low interest among Galatia students, the board took no action on a co-op team for football.
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The board approved high school teacher Richard Ozment as head middle school baseball coach and Ashley Clark as middle school cheerleading coach.
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The board approved a calendar with a last day of school of May 31 if all emergency days are used and May 23 if no emergency days are used.
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Siebert reminded the board of the baccalaureate ceremony 7 p.m. at Eldorado First Baptist Church, middle school graduation at 7 p.m. Thursday and high school graduation 7 p.m. Friday both at Duff-Kingston Gym.
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The board approved First Agency as insurance carrier for students for next year with no increase in premiums from this year.
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