Maercker D60 Community,
I am writing to share an update on some financial challenges facing our district, explain how we are approaching this work, and outline how we will keep the community informed and involved moving forward.
First and most importantly, I want to be very clear that there will be no changes to programs, staffing, or services for the current school year. Our focus right now is on planning responsibly for the future, with any potential changes considered only for next school year and beyond.
As we have shared in Board Briefs over the past several months, District 60 is experiencing increased financial pressures that have resulted in deficit spending over the past few school years. In response, we have taken a number of steps to control costs. We also recently established a Financial Working Group made up of staff members, union leadership, principals, district administrators, and two members of the Board of Education. The group is charged with taking a thoughtful and honest look at our financial landscape and helping guide our planning for the years ahead, including examining the primary factors placing pressure on our budget.
One of the biggest budget pressures is that reimbursements from the state for special education services are simply not keeping up. Illinois’ reimbursement for special education transportation lags far behind rising costs, as does the state’s reimbursement for outplaced student tuition costs. Lagging reimbursements, coupled with the rising number of students requiring specialized instruction, has created a perfect storm for school districts like ours. Inflation-driven increases in essential services, and the loss of revenue because of the South Westmont TIF at 63rd and Cass have also played a major role.
We will be launching a new financial information webpage in the coming weeks that will serve as a central hub for background information, future communications, and opportunities to provide feedback. While the budget for the current school year is set, we know we cannot continue deficit spending long-term. No decisions have yet been made about a path forward, but we are committed to approaching this work thoughtfully, transparently, and in close partnership with our community.
Thank you for your continued trust and support of Maercker D60. We value your partnership as we navigate these challenges together and plan responsibly for the future.
Regards,
Dr. Sean Nugent
Superintendent
