By Andy Dahn
BLOOMINGTON – As changes to education in Illinois continue to be discussed in Springfield, District 87 officials are doing what they can to prepare. But local taxpayers may be paying the price for that preparation.
Superintendent Barry Reilly said by approving a resolution Wednesday night that increases the district’s working cash fund, they are preparing for whatever the state may throw at them.
“The pension shifts are one thing,” Reilly said. “My hope is that doesn’t become a burden for the school district. An eventual change to the school funding formula is another thing that wouldn’t come at a loss to this school district with this increase. When you start to combine those factors, we just want to make sure the district protects itself.”
Reilly said while the district will see a boost in the cash fund, district residents may see a boost in their tax bills, though he isn’t sure how much.
“We obviously expect it to increase the tax rate,” said Reilly. “I could estimate it, but I don’t want to give a figure that isn’t accurate. It certainly will have an impact on the tax rate.”
Reilly said the increase not only protects district students and staff, but it also leaves the door open for future improvements.
“If all of those things come back good and we end up turning out much better than before, we’ll probably consider some of that money for projects that we’d like to do,” Reilly said. “There’s a variety of projects on the list of things we’d like to do.”
The board also welcomed two new members Wednesday night, as Brigette Beasley and Kiasha Henry were introduced, taking the seats of former members Judith Webster and John Dirks.
Andy Dahn can be reached at andy.dahn@cumulus.com.
