Chester BOE discusses cuts
<span>Forced to deploy a deficit reduction plan, the Chester District 139 Board of Education presented the first look at what that may look like on Thursday during its regular meeting.</span>
<span>Under a plan being discussed, the district would eliminate six teaching positions - four at Chester High School and two at Chester Grade School - by the end of the 2017-18 school year.</span>
<span>Two of those positions are retirements that will not be replaced. The BOE is also discussing a 20 to 30 percent cut to supplies and services, as well as negotiating "no new money" contracts.</span>
<span>Interim Superintendent Bill Riley cautioned those in attendance that while the cuts seem "harsh," he said it was only "A" plan, not "THE" plan.</span>
<span>"This is only a plan to satisfy the state and gets them off our back," he said.</span>
<span>The plan would also replace the block scheduling at the high school with a traditional schedule of classes. Increased class sizes - with "multi-age classrooms at the elementary level" - and elimination of elective subjects are also being considered.</span>
<span>Moving forward, the BOE will also be examining options with other health insurance carriers to lessen rising costs.</span>
<span>"Bottom line is the economy's got to improve in some way," Riley said.</span>
<span>Riley said during the meeting, and Board President Mitch Hammel reiterated after the meeting, that no sports will be cut under the current plan.</span>
<span>The board is set to discuss the plan during a special meeting next Thursday at Chester Grade School, its third meeting in as many weeks.</span>
<span>"This is just a way to get this done," Riley said.</span>
<span>According to the Illinois State Board of Education, a deficit reduction plan is triggered when a school district's operating fund revenues are less than its expenditures by one-third of the ending fund balance by June 30 of a calendar year.</span>
<span>The ISBE only uses amounts in the categories of Educational, Operations and Maintenance, Transportation and Working Cash when determining whether a deficit reduction plan will be required.</span>
<span>Budget numbers discussed during the meeting showed the district was $839,913 in the red for fiscal year 2015, including more than $266,000 in missed aid payments from the state.</span>
<span>Under the deficit reduction plan, the district is estimated to return to a positive balance of $20,574 by fiscal year 2018.</span>
<span>The plan also mentions a tax rate increase as an option, but Riley stated he is doubtful that it will pass given the current economy.</span>