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School board officially approves tax levy
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Williamsville School Board on Monday night officially approved the tax levy that has been discussed
at recent meetings.
While the official tally is 18 percent, that is only to ensure the district captures all new growth.
The vote was 5-0 (Caldwell, Stuewe absent).
There was a short levy hearing, lasting all of eight minutes and with no members of the public in
attendance, before the regular meeting, required because the levy was more than five percent.
Superintendent Dave Root discussed state funding briefly during the hearing, noting that foundation
levels will be flat at best next year and could easily go down as much as $400, depending on state funding.
“There are so many variables right now,” said Root.
To begin the regular meeting, the latest financial numbers were discussed; the district at the end of
November had balances of $4,629,491 in all funds and $3,460,461 in the operating fund, compared to
$3,434,329 and $2,299,750 last year and $2,318,376 and just $507,870 two years ago.
Though Williamsville, by virtue of its belt-tightening over the last two years, is in better shape than most
schools, Root noted that “you will see lots of schools RIF’fing (Reduction in Force) people” in coming
months.
Williamsville is not in that position, but failure by the state to provide General State Aid could put the
school district right back where it was a couple of years ago, Root cautioned.
He read a letter sent out by State Superintendent Christopher A. Koch that provided an update on the state
fiscal situation.
The state already is in arrears billions of dollars to numerous vendors and contractors and schools, and
that problem is further exacerbated by the fact that some of the backlog in recent months was knocked
down due to federal stimulus money, which will not be there this year.
Next fiscal year alone, Koch noted, “we will need an additional $1 billion just to stay even.”
At this moment, the state owes schools statewide some $4.2 billion, including $523 million in mandated
categoricals and $80 million in block grants for early childhood.
Root also discussed budget projections for the next few years, which are difficult to project because of
the economy and the extreme uncertainty regarding state funding. He projects the district going from
financial recognition to financial review over the next three years, numbers based on flat growth.
Though finances are precarious statewide, Root noted that Williamsville might need to add staff in the
future, especially in high school math and maybe at the elementary school.
There was discussion of adding a part-time administrator at Sherman Elementary, which could be
combined with another position.
If enrollment rises at Sherman Elementary, positions might need to be added; Root noted that 27 is the
“magic number” per classroom, as if a classroom would add students and reach 27, additional positions
likely would be needed.
Rti (Response to Intervention) positions might be necessary at the junior high, which could be filled by
non-certified staff if need be, according to Root.
Board member Judy Lazar asked if positions were added at SES, would there be room for the additional
classes?
Root said there was, mentioning three scenarios, each more troublesome than the prior one.
The first and most likely result would be the doubling up of specials (PE, Music, for example), with the
second possible option would be moving Pre-K to the middle school, which is currently only being used by
Williamsville Christian Church.
The third option, which would require the most alterations and accommodations, would also move the
kindergarten classes to the middle school, but that would also pose problems with lunches (no adequate
kitchen facilities) and specials and teachers’ prep time.
Even if positions must be added, “not knowing the funding (level) is tough,” said Root.
About 20 minutes was spent looking back by board members about the recent board conference in
Chicago, with board members Sandy Walden, Eric Long and Dave Knox speaking about specific
seminars/panels they attended.
Discussion about graduation dates was next, with the eighth grade graduation set for May 21 and the
high school graduation at UIS set for May 23, the weekend before Memorial Day weekend.
May 23 was the best option, according to Root, noting that other UIS options were the weekend of June 6
or May 30 at night (the Sunday before Memorial Day).
Having high school graduation on a Friday or Saturday is difficult because of the usual success of WHS
spring sports teams, commented Root.
Rochester has already pulled out of SASED, and Chatham is slated to leave at the end of this year. The
exit agreement for Chatham is nearing completion, and once Chatham leaves, Root estimates that
additional costs to Williamsville will run from $17,000-$50,000; Rochester’s exit led to about $30,000 in
extra costs.
The board approved three action items, all by 5-0 votes: the levy; a 12-week maternity leave for third
grade teacher Christene Catlin, beginning spring semester; and the hiring of Kurt Lochmann as Vocational
Bus Driver.
As part of the consent agenda, three resignations were accepted: Jess Buttry as head junior high
softball coach; Joe Fandel as junior high assistant softball coach; and bus driver John Chamblin.
The meeting lasted just under 80 minutes.
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Williamsville School Board on Monday night officially approved the tax levy that has been discussed
at recent meetings.
While the official tally is 18 percent, that is only to ensure the district captures all new growth.
The vote was 5-0 (Caldwell, Stuewe absent).
There was a short levy hearing, lasting all of eight minutes and with no members of the public in
attendance, before the regular meeting, required because the levy was more than five percent.
Superintendent Dave Root discussed state funding briefly during the hearing, noting that foundation
levels will be flat at best next year and could easily go down as much as $400, depending on state funding.
“There are so many variables right now,” said Root.
To begin the regular meeting, the latest financial numbers were discussed; the district at the end of
November had balances of $4,629,491 in all funds and $3,460,461 in the operating fund, compared to
$3,434,329 and $2,299,750 last year and $2,318,376 and just $507,870 two years ago.
Though Williamsville, by virtue of its belt-tightening over the last two years, is in better shape than most
schools, Root noted that “you will see lots of schools RIF’fing (Reduction in Force) people” in coming
months.
Williamsville is not in that position, but failure by the state to provide General State Aid could put the
school district right back where it was a couple of years ago, Root cautioned.
He read a letter sent out by State Superintendent Christopher A. Koch that provided an update on the state
fiscal situation.
The state already is in arrears billions of dollars to numerous vendors and contractors and schools, and
that problem is further exacerbated by the fact that some of the backlog in recent months was knocked
down due to federal stimulus money, which will not be there this year.
Next fiscal year alone, Koch noted, “we will need an additional $1 billion just to stay even.”
At this moment, the state owes schools statewide some $4.2 billion, including $523 million in mandated
categoricals and $80 million in block grants for early childhood.
Root also discussed budget projections for the next few years, which are difficult to project because of
the economy and the extreme uncertainty regarding state funding. He projects the district going from
financial recognition to financial review over the next three years, numbers based on flat growth.
Though finances are precarious statewide, Root noted that Williamsville might need to add staff in the
future, especially in high school math and maybe at the elementary school.
There was discussion of adding a part-time administrator at Sherman Elementary, which could be
combined with another position.
If enrollment rises at Sherman Elementary, positions might need to be added; Root noted that 27 is the
“magic number” per classroom, as if a classroom would add students and reach 27, additional positions
likely would be needed.
Rti (Response to Intervention) positions might be necessary at the junior high, which could be filled by
non-certified staff if need be, according to Root.
Board member Judy Lazar asked if positions were added at SES, would there be room for the additional
classes?
Root said there was, mentioning three scenarios, each more troublesome than the prior one.
The first and most likely result would be the doubling up of specials (PE, Music, for example), with the
second possible option would be moving Pre-K to the middle school, which is currently only being used by
Williamsville Christian Church.
The third option, which would require the most alterations and accommodations, would also move the
kindergarten classes to the middle school, but that would also pose problems with lunches (no adequate
kitchen facilities) and specials and teachers’ prep time.
Even if positions must be added, “not knowing the funding (level) is tough,” said Root.
About 20 minutes was spent looking back by board members about the recent board conference in
Chicago, with board members Sandy Walden, Eric Long and Dave Knox speaking about specific
seminars/panels they attended.
Discussion about graduation dates was next, with the eighth grade graduation set for May 21 and the
high school graduation at UIS set for May 23, the weekend before Memorial Day weekend.
May 23 was the best option, according to Root, noting that other UIS options were the weekend of June 6
or May 30 at night (the Sunday before Memorial Day).
Having high school graduation on a Friday or Saturday is difficult because of the usual success of WHS
spring sports teams, commented Root.
Rochester has already pulled out of SASED, and Chatham is slated to leave at the end of this year. The
exit agreement for Chatham is nearing completion, and once Chatham leaves, Root estimates that
additional costs to Williamsville will run from $17,000-$50,000; Rochester’s exit led to about $30,000 in
extra costs.
The board approved three action items, all by 5-0 votes: the levy; a 12-week maternity leave for third
grade teacher Christene Catlin, beginning spring semester; and the hiring of Kurt Lochmann as Vocational
Bus Driver.
As part of the consent agenda, three resignations were accepted: Jess Buttry as head junior high
softball coach; Joe Fandel as junior high assistant softball coach; and bus driver John Chamblin.
The meeting lasted just under 80 minutes.
Issue Date: Dec. 17, 2009