District 87 set to open schools on time despite state budget turmoil

Posted on June 29, 2017

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – District 87 school superintendent Barry Reilly is trying to erase any doubt that Bloomington schools will open on time this fall even if state lawmakers and the Governor can’t agree on a budget.

Just like neighboring Unit 5, Reilly said his district has enough money on hand to get through the next school year without significant reductions.

“This (school) board over time has built up appropriate fund balances to weather financial storms,” said Reilly.

“We’ve been in deficit spending the lasgt few years. We don’t like that, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that the state is not paying what they owe us,” Reilly said.

The superintendent said the state owes District 87 approximately 2.4 million dollars for the fiscal year ending Friday.

Reilly’s assurances come as Governor Rauner said Wednesday he’ll keep lawmakers in Springfield until they reach agreement on a balanced budget.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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