Budget Cuts to Top $1.7 Million In District 220

The Barrington 220 School District’s Board of Education is working hard to cut more than $1.7 million from the 2011-2012 operating budget.

The board further reviewed a list of potential reductions at the Feb. 15 School Board meeting.  With district funding decreasing each year, the cuts are necessary to stay within the annual budget of $121 million. 

The decision to cut programs, employees and materials is not an easy one for the board to make, but action needs to be taken in order to keep the district out of debt.  

“We approach this daunting task knowing we have an obligation to the Barrington community to operate within allocated revenues and make reductions in as thoughtful, thorough, and researched manner as possible –with a laser focus on providing the students the best education possible within available resources,” the Executive Council of the Board of Education said.

The proposed cuts are outlined in A, B and C levels. The “A” level cuts indicate moderate cuts compared to the level “C” cuts which are described as more extreme.

At the elementary level, some of the proposed moderate cuts include eliminating 1.5 Teaching Assistants.  Eliminating these positions from the payroll would save the district $45,000. 

Getting rid of the Prairie and Station Middle School Shared Bilingual Counselor is also on the level “A” reductions list, saving the district $60,000.  

“While this is a valuable service and serves a very specific and high need population, it is a reduction that can be made and not affect class sizes,” the Executive Council said. “These students are still on the regular counselors’ caseloads and will receive counseling services.”

At the high school level, Library and Media Services budget could be cut by 10 percent, saving the district more than $25,000. The reduction means fewer research resources for students and teachers.

Some of the more extreme level “C” recommended reductions include eliminating track and cross country at all of the elementary schools. This would provide a savings of $13,866.74.  It’s also suggested that a second grade section at Lines Elementary and a third grade section at Barbara Rose Elementary be reduced. The elimination of two certified staff members would save the district $120,000.

Boys’ and Girls’ Level B Basketball at both Middle School campuses could also be cut, saving $65,692.

Another suggestion is to eliminating 2.2 full time equivalent staff members at Barrington High School. This would push core class sizes up to 26 students or more and save the district  $132,000.

Early childhood learning is the only age group without any recommended reductions by the Board of Education.  

“The program deals with learners in prime time for making inroads on potential achievement gaps,” the Executive Board said. “Currently our program serves a mandated population of special education students in addition to a non-mandated ‘at risk’ target student population. Some districts are reducing services to the at-risk target group, but it is not our recommendation at this point in budget reductions.”

On March 1, the Board of Education will formally adopt the proposed cuts. 

Read more about the cuts by clicking here.