Western Springs D101 Not In Top Financial Tier: State

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – The overwhelming number of Illinois school districts are in the state's highest-performing financial category, known as "recognition."

For the second year, though, Western Springs School District 101 received the second-highest rating, called "review." Over the years, the district has sometimes received lower ratings than its neighbors.

According to the state, 88 percent of the state's 851 districts fall under the top rating of "recognition," while 10 percent are designated as "review."

The remainder are rated as "early warning" or "watch," which is the worst.

The state released the ratings this week.

In response to a Patch inquiry Wednesday, Superintendent Sarah Coffey said her district's situation was similar to neighboring La Grange District 102's. In that district, the superintendent said the fund balance reserve was less than ideal and that the district was working to build it up.

In an email, Coffey said, "What's unique about D101 is that, historically, the district has chosen to pay its debt service using operating surpluses rather than shifting that cost to taxpayers."

This approach, she said, reflects a long-standing effort to lessen the local tax burden. The result is that District 101 has a lower cash reserve balance than many other districts across the state, she said.

Over the last 22 years, the district has been under review for nine years. It has received the top rating the rest of the time.

With an enrollment of 1,400, less than 1 percent of District 101 students come from low-income families, far below the state average of 50 percent.

Other districts show better financial performance, at least in the state's eyes.

Nearby La Grange District 105 has gotten the top rating for all but two years. It was under review in 2003 and 2016.

Meanwhile, La Grange Highlands District 106 has been in the top tier every year since 2005. It was under review in 2003 and 2004.

In Burr Ridge, Gower District 62 and Pleasantdale District 106 have received the top rating for all 22 years.