April 16, 2010

Community Members and Staff:

This has been quite a perplexing/stressful year in terms of school finance and support for our children and community by our state legislators. I have never in my 30 years as an administrator seen school budgets devastated over and over again with little notice or warning from the state.

As you know we have had to cut over 1.4 million dollars from our budget over the last 18 months including two additional cuts during the current school year in November and again in January. The cuts have included significant decreases in our services, supplies and materials as well as many staff members including administration (3 elementary principals and youth friends coordinator), coaches, food service, custodial, maintenance and support positions. We also had two part time teaching positions that were not filled as a result of resignations, but we were able to avoid additional cuts affecting class size and class offerings during this past year.

However, since the state has not passed a budget as expected before their recess we are forced to make additional cuts; sadly including cuts that will increase class size and eliminate some teaching positions and programs (although at this point it appears this can be done mostly through retirements and resignations). Our current budget projection is for additional cuts from 1 to 1.5 million dollars. The proposed cuts will include additional support staff cuts as well as the following certified positions: 2 physical education positions, one at the high school and one at the middle school, 1 high school administrator, 1 high school counselor, the French Program, one business position, one science position, one elementary position, 5^th grade band program, secondary media center certified staff (aids and resources will be available), technology aides, secondary accompanists, half of our school nurses, and the School Resource Officer. The board has been forced by state financing and our legislative representatives to make some difficult decisions, but we are hopeful that as a united community we can prevent these cuts from happening.

It is imperative that everyone consider contacting their legislators again and encourage them to pass a plan that provides for extra revenue to meet state budget needs. We have a dedicated staff of professionals who will continue to provide your students and our community with a quality education, but I am afraid it is not possible to maintain quality, course offerings and needed student support with such significant decreases in state funding.

Additional information about our budget situation and proposed cuts can be found on our website at http://www.usd204.org

Thank you for supporting our students and community.  Please call if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert J. Van Maren

Superintendent