Insurance Hikes Drive Lyons Township High Deficit: Official

LA GRANGE, IL – Lyons Township High School's top finance official said Monday that he was not "particularly happy" with next year's budget.

Brian Stachacz, director of business services, said the budget has the potential for a $2 million budget deficit. But he said he takes into account that it includes $1.5 million in one-time costs for projects.

He said he would be a lot more concerned if those costs were recurring.

"Look, I'm concerned because none of it makes me particularly happy when I see it," Stachacz said. "By the same token, we still know that from an operational perspective, we are within where we need to be."

The school is expecting to see a 3.4 percent increase in property tax money next year, which is down from 5 percent the previous two years.

Stachacz noted that Cook County is late by a couple of months in sending property tax bills. That means the school will hold the money for a shorter time, meaning an expected drop in interest income, he said.

One of the deficit's main drivers is the cost of employee health insurance, Stachacz said. The cost is expected to be $1.3 million over previous projections for next year. Last budget year saw an unusual spike in such expenses.

"We are continuing to monitor health benefit costs," he said.

Overall, Stachacz said, "We don't want to make a habit of what's happening here. That certainly has to be looked at. We have to maintain the fund balances or continue to grow them."

The school board voted unanimously for the tentative budget.