Center Cass 66 In Financial Trouble: Board

DARIEN, IL – The board for Center Cass School District 66 earlier this month admitted it made mistakes with the finances.

The upshot: The district, which serves students in parts of Darien and Downers Grove, doesn't have as much money as it thought it did.

In a public statement Sept. 16, board President Liane Raso acknowledged the district spent more dollars than it brought in over several years. It did so, she said, with the understanding that its account balances would cover the shortfall.

This news comes before the November election, in which Center Cass is asking voters to consider about 20 percent increase for its part of the property tax bill.

As a result of the mistakes, the district's cash reserves have decreased, with not enough to make it through a full school year, Raso said.

In 2020, the board became aware that the former auditor did not show the entire picture with fund balances recorded on June 30, which is the end of the budget year, Raso said.

"Rather, the balances reflected more money than we had for the current year, because the balances included early tax dollars that were meant for the upcoming school year," Raso said. "Without the early tax dollars, the District struggles to make payroll in the current school year."

Because of this, the board approved Superintendent Andrew Wise's recommendations to increase fees, cut spending, contain costs and seek more sources of income.

Raso said current and former boards have done the best they can with the information they have. She said the board recognizes the shock that some residents felt when auditors revealed the district's financial problems.

"Though we did our best to communicate these issues through newsletters mailed to residents’ homes, public community meetings, and open board meetings, our communications fell short of the expectations of our community," Raso said. "We recognize that we need to work on establishing deeper and more meaningful connections with our community and ensure all voices are heard."

To address that concern, Raso said, the board is forming the Community Engagement Forum, made up of a cross-section of the community.

Raso said the district did not seek more money from taxpayers when the bond issue for the construction of Prairieview Elementary School was paid off in 2014, which dropped the tax rate considerably until 2017.

A bond referendum in 2017 addressed some of the district's building needs, but the board did not seek enough money to solve the long-term educational, operational and building needs, Raso said.

"In hindsight, the Board, Administration, and Community could have done things differently," Raso said. "As a Board, we are accepting responsibility for the current state of affairs in our District. While we cannot change past decisions, we are committed to working hard for the long-term future of Center Cass. However, we cannot do it alone. We are humbly asking for your help."

The entire board signed the statement.