Letter to the Editor District 113A Board Member in Favor of Following Financial Plan

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The following was submitted by  Board Secretary Cindy Kelly. The letter reflects her individual views, and does not represent the board or school district as a whole.

If you're interesting in submitting a letter, e-mail Lemont Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com.

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Of all the cuts that have been made in District 113A over the last several years, the cuts to our dedicated district staff—which have raised our classroom sizes to unacceptable levels—must be one of the top priorities of the board to fix. Being part of the solution was one of the main reasons I ran for the school board.

Due to our current financial situation, we have been forced to submit and follow a financial plan to the Illinois State Board of Education. We cannot make any changes to this plan without approval from the state. Although we currently have local control, we must follow what the state tells us to do until we have sufficient reserves and do not have to resort to short-term borrowing.  

If the state deems us unable or unwilling to follow the approved plan, it is very likely they will designate a Financial Oversight Panel. That is not speculation or an idle threat—the state was recommending an FOP for our district last year. 

Last month ISBE sent a letter in which they said, “We are deeply concerned that you are already seeking significant revisions to the financial plan.” Additionally they stated that, “If you require monthly intervention and consultation with the State Board prior to taking action, perhaps a Financial Oversight Panel should be considered for District 113A." 

As a board, we must make decisions that DO NOT risk the state implementing an FOP. If that happens it will have a negative impact for every student, staff member, parent, homeowner and taxpayer in our community. We will no longer have local control and the state will have the ability to raise taxes without a community vote. 

I want to keep local control of our district, which will happen as long as we follow the state-approved plan. If we do so, we will be able to start re-hiring teachers and reducing class sizes during the 2013-14 school year.

As for the working cash bond, we also received warnings about this from the state. In fact, when Dr. Madonia asked Deb Vespa about it in a phone conversation on Feb. 23, her response was, "we can't do the working cash bond issue or the other options associated with the Bond and Interest fund balance because it is not in the approved plan." She also said she "would not advise revising the plan to accommodate this or any other alteration because it has changed before and this would not be received well by the State Board of Education." 

We need to stick to our plan, get out of debt and start looking to the beginning of the 2013-14 school year when we will be able to lower class sizes and address other issues. I’m still waiting for a comprehensive plan so the board can decide how best to bring back teachers, programs and updated technology. I have not seen a strategic or academic plan, but I’m sure Dr. Birkenmaier will help us create one once she starts in July.

Cindy Kelly
District 113A Board Member