I Wish Grant Recipients Revealed

The School board, Superintendent Tim Collins and the building principals from District 200 schools participated in a Public meeting held on Wednesday Night at the Hastings Middle School. A brief overview of the budget shortfalls, created in part by the continuing decline in enrollment levels, was provided before Collins invited the group of only about 30 to circulate among school representatives and discuss concerns or suggest classes or existing programs they wished to support. I spoke with Board Chair Vince O’Brien who welcomed this proactive opportunity ahead of the March decisions that will need to trim 700,000 in costs and also dip into the 12.6 million dollar savings for the additional 900,000 needed to meet budget goals. With just a handful of community members in attendance, I was able to spend time with newest board member Joe Becker as well. He told me he is doing alot of studying, listening and learning as he determines just what it will mean to make some hard decisions when it comes to cutting expenses that may be tied to staff positions or a favorite program. Coming from a business background, he also sees that changes may be necessary when it comes to shifting priorities and perhaps some expenses that have been covered by the school in the past. Student fees for participation in everything from sports to music programs fall under potential revenue increases needed to keep some programs viable. Becker said he is required to look at the district through the eyes of others now. That’s what he agreed to do when elected and what he plans to uphold as his vote will now impact the families who placed him on the board in November.