Press Release - February 22, 2010

The Board of Education of Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 has voted to address a budget shortfall of $1,500,000 by approving a budget reduction plan that reduces the district’s budget by $1,200,000 for the 2010-2011 school year. The anticipated budget shortfall is the direct result of less than expected revenues from property taxes. These revenues are based on the consumer price index (CPI). The district expected to receive $1.5M more than the actual CPI will generate over the next two years. The current situation regarding the state’s funding of education is also a major concern. As a result, the Board of Education determined tha budget “cuts” were necessary for the district to stay fiscally sound through 2014.

This is a summary of the budget reductions approved for 2010-2011:

• The closing of Brandt school (includes the elimination of the Science Center Program, the relocation of the Early Childhood program to Kolmar School, the dismissal of certified and support staff, the reduction of utility costs, the elimination of transportation costs associated with the Science Center, and the elimination of other miscellaneous building budget costs)—$354,928


• Reduction in number of instructional aides -- $129,500


• Elimination of two district-level coordinators -- $99,257


• Reduction in Art and Music -- $77,546




• Music – Gr. K-2 – 60 minutes per week (no change from current program)


• Music – Gr. 3-5 – 40 minutes per week (20 minutes less per week)


• Art – Gr. K-2 – 40 minutes per week (20 minutes less per week)


• Art – Gr. 3-5 – 60 minutes per week (no change from current program)


• Chorus and Band (no change from current program)




• Reduction in certified teaching positions  (7 district-wide)-- $339,294




• French will be phased out of the middle school program by 2012




• Reduction in psychologist services -- $50,000


• Reduction in English Language Learner services -- $14,500


• Reduction in social work services -- $28,446


• Reduction in Reading Recovery teacher leader services -- $16,600


• Reduction in building secretary position -- $21,110


• Elimination of media aides and copy clerks -- $48,683


• Total of Budget Reductions:            $1,179,864                                    
  
  (Additional “cuts” will be considered throughout the budget planning process)
  
  In alignment with the district’s Strategic Plan, the Board of Education made sure that the budget reductions did not impact the majority of high quality programs and services provided to the district’s students from Early Childhood to Grade 8. These programs include: a full-day kindergarten program (not available in many districts), Reading Recovery services in all K-5 buildings, daily physical education, Reading Specialist services in all buildings, foreign language instruction at Grades 6-8, varied technology offerings (including Synergistics in Grades 6-8), an accomplished Band program in Grades 5-8, an extensive extra-curricular program, a full time nurse in each building, full-time social work services in each building, and a full continuum of special education services and programs. All of these programs are in addition to a comprehensive, well-researched “core” program of instruction (Early Childhood-Grade 8) conducted in well-maintained school facilities.