District 113 Passes Budget for 2012

The passed its budget at last Monday night's board meeting. The budget boasts a $375,000 reserve for fiscal year 2012, something Board President said is an effort to shore up any potential budget shortfall in 2013.

The budget was passed as presented at last week's meeting. Cohen described the budget as balanced, citing reductions in operations now total $3.7 million for the last three years. The recently passed budget reduced capital expenses by $1.9 million. 

In 2012, federal and state funding and grants will constitute four percent of the budget, Cohen explained, with the remaining 96 percent coming from local real estate taxes.

The budget includes a one percent salary increase for staff, which Cohen said is a little over one-third the national average of 2.8 percent.

“We’re proud we’re continuing to have balanced budgets without a negative impact on our students," said Cohen.

Back to school update

gave a back-to-school update, announcing that last year's ACT scores for the district as a whole were at a record high.

"This is for subcategories as well as composite scores," said Fornero. "Every junior takes the ACT, so it’s a reflection of all our students. It's an incredible accomplishment. I’m very pleased.”

The board also heard an update on the Schuler Scholar Program that the district participates in along with a half dozen other area districts. The program helps students who are either minorities or low-income students and who seek to be first-generation college students. The district will continue its work with the program this year.

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