Sycamore Taxpayer

Update five-year forecast
    Regarding the NSL, July 13, 2011 article “Sycamore schools: Some light at the end of fiscal tunnel.”
    In order for the taxpayers and board members to understand the significance of the lost state revenue, the district’s May, 2011 Five Year Forecast must be updated now.
   The lost state revenue needs to be looked at in the context of the five year plan. The five year plan would show the new revenue, planned expenditures and new cash balance for each year.
   The development of a revised plan should not wait until the next state mandated October forecast. This revised forecast will provide the school and community four more months to consider the consequences of these changes.
    Twice in the article, Diane Adamec, board president referred to a planned tax levy in 2012. The school has promised not to approach the community for more money until at least 2012.
   She said, “What the regular citizen will not see is a request for an additional tax levy sooner than planned.”Later she adds, “By holding expense growth to an average of 1.5 percent annually, this district will maintain its promise not to go back to the community until at least 2012 for new taxes for operations – an eight-year span.”
   Based on what I read and hear about the worldwide fiscal crisis, the possible U.S. financial default and constant deficit spending, there is no “light at the end of the fiscal tunnel.”
   All government entities at the Federal, state, local levels including public schools, and citizens are facing a huge challenge ahead. Thinking that we might see some light ahead may be a comforting thought, but it is more akin to burying one’s head-in-the-sand.

Source: Glenn Welch, Montgomery. Northeast Suburban Life July 27, 2011

——————————————————————————–

The Mariemont City School District Board of Education has been revising the school district’s five-year forecast, which anticipates changes to teacher compensation and potential state fundimng cuts. The board approved $972,133 in cuts for the upcoming school year and plans to cut another $300,000 in the next two years.
Mariemont schools study merit pay. By Lisa Wakeland The Enquirer 6/28/11 B3

—————————————————————————-
CPS on Monday approved a $458.6 million 2011-12 general fund budget that is about 1.8 percent, or $8.6 million, smaller and more than 200 jobs leaner than the currrent budget. CPS approves smaller budget -Jessica Brown The Enquirer 6/28/11 B3
————————————————————————————-