Readers React to District 112 Budget Cuts

Last week, the including teachers and teacher's assistants, in order to trim $2.65 million from its 2013 budget.

"The choices are difficult, the decisions are hard," District 112 Superintendent David Behlow said shortly before the vote. "We look at every child as a child, not as a number."

, filling the article with over 50 comments by Sunday night. Many were concerned with the consequences of making cuts to the district's dual language programs. The district set aside $270,000 to fill the gap left by the removal of 16 of the dual-language and bilingual program’s teaching-assistant positions. 

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"I understand that cuts have to be made and it is unfortunate that the District couldn't figure out how to keep language in all the elementary schools," wrote . "Other nearby districts, including Lake Forest for example, have figured this out and do offer non-DL elementary school programs. Until District 112 can do this, I don't think we can consider our schools to be truly 'world class' as defined in the District's mission statement."

Onetime Park District board candidate sympathized with Jenks' concerns, but suggested cuts needed to be made somewhere and the dual language programs might be the right place to start.

"There is simply not enough money to fund all programs and thus decisions need to be made as to what to cut," Barbieri wrote. "Most parents, if faced with a menu of items that had to be cut as a financial reality, would find dual language rising to the top as it is a nice extra but certainly not a must have."

Barbieri pointed out that since the board decided to keep the fourth grade class size at Braeside at 16 or 17 rather than 25, cuts needed to be made elsewhere.

suggested that if dual language classes get removed entirely, "the PTA/PTOs should find a way to offer them as an After School Club."

Other readers suggested consolidating some of the schools or increasing class sizes as a way for the district to save money.

"A capable teacher can cope with a classroom of almost any size," wrote a reader named Molly, qualifying that by also writing, "Some continuity would benefit the entire population."

What do you think? Read the and the here, then leave your own below. And don't forget to take Patch's poll about District 112 spending. Polling will remain open until Friday at 9 a.m. and results will be posted later that day.

Editor's note: Have an opinion on District 112's budget or anything else education-themed? Patch is looking for Highland Park residents interested in blogging about school issues. If you're interested, please email jacob@patch.com or call 847-204-1636.

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