Big Budget Cuts In Center Cass 66

DARIEN, IL – The Center Cass School District 66 board enacted major budget cuts Wednesday in light of a failed referendum in June.

In his presentation to the board, Superintendent Andrew Wise said Center Cass lacked the resources and personnel to educate students adequately.

"The reductions I am proposing are needed to align dollars received to expenses going out, while trying to re-establish financial health," Wise said in a statement. "The majority of these expenditure reductions go against everything I have researched to be factors leading to student success. Many also go against my core beliefs."

In the referendum, voters were asked to increase the Center Cass part of their property tax bill by 24 percent. Officials said passage would have meant $3 million more a year.

Next week, the district plans to consider whether to place the tax increase on the November ballot. The district says its property tax rate is in the bottom third of DuPage County's elementary school districts.

At its meeting, the board voted to

• Reduce four regular education bus routes, which is expected to save $130,000. Students will still get bus service, but they may sit two or even three to a seat, according to the presentation.
• Reduce the school day at Elizabeth Ide Elementary by 30 minutes, Prairieview Elementary by 40 minutes and Lakeview Elementary by 45 minutes. As a result of cutting four bus routes, the district said more time will be needed to take students between school bell times.
• Cut two custodial positions. That leaves six. The savings are expected at $60,000.
• Cut three teacher aide positions. That leaves 18. The projected savings are $45,000.
• Cut six certified non-classroom teaching positions for the 2023-24 school year. The estimated savings are $450,000.
• Cut one certified and one non-certified administrative position for the 2023-24 school year. The expected savings are $150,000.
• Reduce stipends for extracurricular employees ($79,361 in savings) and costs for extracurricular transportation ($6,300).
• Freeze field trips, building budgets, technology replacements and administrative salaries. Also, the board approved a soft freeze for certified teachers until a new contract can be adopted. The total savings for the freezes are estimated at $125,000.

The board rejected Wise's recommendations for cutting four teaching positions this year and eight more teachers for the 2023-24 school year.

Fifty-seven percent of voters rejected the referendum in June.

Center Cass serves 1,100 students and includes parts of Darien and Downers Grove.