1. WHERE WE ARE

What is the general financial outlook for District 129?
The cost of operating the district is just under $100 million dollars a year. The current 2006-2007 budget has an operating deficit of $1.9 million. Projections indicate that operating deficits will continue into the future unless operating funding is increased.

Reasons for the shortfall:

• Additional schools were built to accommodate the growth of our student population without additional funds being provided to operate these schools.
• This growing enrollment, more than 5,000 students since 1988, requires more teachers, books, computers, buses, equipment and supplies.
• Increased energy consumption for these added facilities, along with the increasing cost of energy, has had a negative impact on our financial condition.

Additional needs that have not been addressed:

• Many of our facilities are old and in need of repair. Due to the district’s operating deficit many ongoing routine maintenance items have not been addressed.
• The district’s bus fleet is old and in need of an ongoing refresh cycle (the purchase of some new buses each year). The district has not been able to accomplish this because of the operating deficit.
• The district pays additional interest expense each year because of the need to take out short- term loans to meet its obligations.

How does the School Board plan to fix the revenue shortfall?
The Board is asking voters for an increase in the operating rate for the 2007 tax levy (payable in 2008) and to hold that rate constant for the following three years. The district also intends to focus on cost reductions to help eliminate the operating deficit.

What would this increase cost me in additional taxes?
For a home valued at $100,000, the cost is estimated to be an additional $166.67 per year.

What do operating funds pay for?
Operating funds pay for day-to-day operations such as:

• Staffing, which directly impacts class sizes
• Safety/security equipment (cameras, locks)
• Technology
• Implementation of Teaching and Learning Plan improvements
• Utilities
• Temporary, portable classrooms to address overcrowding
• Refresh cycles – Refresh cycles identify building elements that require long-term maintenance and generally occur in 3-, 5- and 10-year cycles.  This approach saves taxpayer dollars. 
  Some examples are:
  
  • Technology-computers
  • Safety and security equipment
  • Science lab equipment
  • Band uniforms and instruments
  • Classroom furniture, fixtures and equipment
  • Playground repair/equipment
  • Buses
  • Updating heating/ventilation systems
  • Lighting
  • Grounds Maintenance
  • Building Maintenance

What will happen if voters turn down the April 17 operating rate increase?
Students will have fewer opportunities and options for learning. Some electives and programs may need to be eliminated and class size may increase.  A public process for determining budget reduction will be implemented.

How much money per student does District 129 spend compared to surrounding districts?
District 129 spends less on its students than most surrounding districts and less than the state average.

When is the last time District 129 voters approved an operating rate increase?
The last operating rate increase was in 1988, more than 19 years ago.

2. OUR BUDGET

What measures has the District taken to trim the budget in recent years?
Upon becoming District Superintendent in the summer of 2005, Dr. Jim Rydland immediately ordered a financial audit. Some examples of subsequent cost-saving measures are:

• Reduced administrative costs by $575,000
• Refinanced bonds to save $3.2 million, reducing the tax rate
• Implemented energy purchase program to reduce costs
• Eliminated warehouse inventory to improve cash flow
  

What measures have been taken to increase district revenue?
The district has applied for and received additional revenue through various grants, such as:

• $100,000 Energy Grant
• $250,000 Emergency Preparedness Grant
• $11.8 million from the State Capital Development Board for construction purposes
• $6.8 million in federal Qualified Zone Academy Bonds for renovation purposes
• $900,000 Class Size Grant
• $800,000 Reading First Grant
• $300,000 Federal Technology Grant
• $100,000 Grant to retrofit lighting throughout the district
• $100,000 Advanced Placement Classes Grant 
• $40,000 Arts and Foreign Language Assistance Grant

The district also receives additional funds from community partners who provide support for the development of enrichment programs and services that cannot be supplied by limited public resources.  Community partners include:

• PTA and PTO organizations
• Foundation for the West Aurora Schools
• Blackhawk Sports Boosters
• West Aurora Band Boosters
• Communities in Schools
• North Aurora Mothers Club
• The James Jordan Foundation

With all the growth, isn’t the district collecting additional money already?
The District is collecting more money from new developments, but has to pay for the costs associated with having more students.  The district has grown by over 5,000 students since 1988.  When adjusted for inflation, the taxes collected per student have decreased by 20 percent.

In addition, resources, such as Land Cash and Impact Fees collected from developers, can only be used for buildings and not for ongoing operating costs.

What are District 129’s sources of revenue?

• Local Support              =          55.9%
• State Support               =          36.3%
• Federal Support           =            7.8%

3. INCREASING OPERATING FUNDS

What do operating funds pay for?
Operating funds pay for day-to-day operations such as:

• Staffing, which directly impacts class sizes
• Safety/security equipment (cameras, locks)
• Technology
• Implementation of Teaching and Learning Plan improvements
• Utilities
• Temporary, portable classrooms to address overcrowding

Refresh cycles – Refresh cycles identify building elements that require long-term maintenance and generally occur in 3-, 5- and 10-year cycles.  This approach saves taxpayer dollars.  Some examples are:

• Technology-computers
• Safety and security equipment
• Science lab equipment
• Band uniforms and instruments
• Classroom furniture, fixtures and equipment
• Playground repair/equipment
• Buses
• Updating heating/ventilation systems
• Lighting
• Grounds Maintenance
• Building Maintenance

What will happen if voters turn down the April 17 operating rate increase?
Students will have fewer opportunities and options for learning. Some electives and programs may need to be eliminated and class size may increase.  A public process for determining budget reduction will be implemented.

Has a Citizens’ Committee been formed to help with the Operating Rate referendum?
The West Aurora Volunteers for Education (WAVE) has been formed.  WAVE is working to get information out to the community. For more information, contact info@wave129.org

4. COMMUNICATION

How can I give my feedback?
You may submit your feedback directly to Superintendent Jim Rydland in the following ways:

• 630-740-9303 Cell phone or jrydland@sd129.org
• 630-301-5033 Office-Randi or rlochsens@sd129.org
• Via the following web link ContactUs.htm
• Via the Superintendent’s Community Advisory Council (SCAC), or e-mail scac@sd129.org
• School District 129, 80 S. River St., Aurora, IL 60506 or go to the website, www.wave129.org.