Dist. 58 Says 2014-15 Budget 'Healthy and Essentially Balanced'

The Downers Grove School District 58 Board of Education reviewed the final 2014-15 budget during a special meeting and budget workshop Monday, Aug. 25.

District Controller James Popernik reported that the final 2014-15 budget is healthy and generally balanced. The budget includes an estimated $62.3 million in revenues and $64.3 million in expenditures. One-time capital projects generated by a life safety bonds sale account for the slight difference.

“The district is solid financially, but there will always be needs, so we must monitor our money and prioritize projects,” Popernik said.

One-time capital projects funded this summer’s facility renovations:

• New fire alarm systems at nine schools, and new kitchen fire doors at Herrick and O’Neill middle schools

• Replacement rooftop HVAC units at Belle Aire, El Sierra, Henry Puffer and Herrick school

• New boilers at Henry Puffer School

• New gym ventilation unit, three new classroom unit heaters and tuckpointing of two masonry walls at Whittier School

• Various summer work order repairs, including thorough cleaning of all buildings and classrooms, floor tile repair, cabinet, shelving and room partition work, etc.

• New floor tile in classrooms with old carpet at Herrick, Highland and Whittier schools

• Painting at Hillcrest, Indian Trail, Kingsley, Lester, O’Neill and Pierce Downer schools

• Asphalt repair and replacement projects at El Sierra, Indian Trail, Whittier and Pierce Downer schools

• Outdoor learning space at Herrick Middle School (funded by a donation from a retired district teacher)

District 58 has invested approximately $23 million over the last seven years improving its facilities, including desperately needed new roofs on all 15 district facilities, security upgrades, new flooring, HVAC and fire alarm upgrades. $15 million of these funds came from necessary life safety funding received in 2010 and in 2013.

Other facility needs throughout the district exist and will continue to be prioritized and addressed as funds become available to do so. Those priorities include ongoing maintenance projects in each building, science lab improvements at the district’s middle schools and planning for a long-term solution to the district’s central office facility needs.

“District 58 has maintained and even expanded staff and services while maintaining a balanced budget during challenging economic times,” Popernik said. “We will continue to serve as good stewards of taxpayers’ money while delivering excellent services in the best interest of our community.”