Superintendent Jim Rydland has been overseeing fundamental improvements in how District 129 educates students. This plan includes the development of a more effective teaching-and-learning process, which focuses curriculum on what students need most and provides teachers the time, tools and training they need. As part of this process, we are exploring possibilities such as early childhood education, a longer school day, a seven-class day (an additional academic period) at the high school, as well as vocational and advanced courses.

Ironically, it is the district’s positive reputation that contributes to its financial challenges. Families with children are moving here. On average, the district gains approximately 250 additional students each year. To keep up with this growth, the district has had to hire more teachers, build several new schools, and expand others.

Although the district has had to accommodate nearly 5,000 additional students in the past 18 years, during this period voters have not approved a tax rate increase for the funds that pay for day-to-day school operations. As a result, the district is projecting a $1.9 million deficit for 2006-07. Without changes, that deficit will swell to approximately $2.9 million by 2008.