How Deep In Hole Is D-205 Financially?

ELMHURST, IL — Like most government entities, Elmhurst School District 205 is encountering historically unusual difficulties. And that is having an impact on its budget.

The district projects a $5.5 million deficit this budget year.

"I don't think any of us consider that sustainable," Superintendent Dave Moyer said at this week's school board meeting. "We're in the initial stages of planning for next year. I was trying to get some direction on where the board is on expectations for next year — if we want to go to a balanced budget and make sure we don't have any overages."

Here's what Moyer said is causing the deficit:

• $2 million increase in maintenance over the previous year
• $1.6 million more for salaries and benefits over the previous year
• $1.2 million for pandemic-related spending

Moyer said many factors in personnel spending are unknown — how many stipends will be fulfilled, what will substitute costs be, how many aide positions will be filled.

"We don't know where we are going to come in with that $1.6 million. That's the projected number at this point," he said.

With a quarter of the budget year passed, the district's overall income is up 1.3 percent this year and property tax revenue is up by about 1 percent, lower than the 2.1 percent projected, the board learned.

The district serves more than 8,000 students, about the equivalent of Clarendon Hills' population.