Because Consolidated High School District 230 isn’t relying on a ton of money from the state, officials believe they will be able to craft a balanced budget without cutting programs or raising taxes.
Though the district expects revenues to be down 6.4 percent this year, officials kept spending down by cutting $6.3 million out of capital building budget, said Cara Erdey, D230 spokeswoman.
The school also has built up a surplus over the last six fiscal years and will use that to cushion any shortfall in the $136.2 million budget.
Most of the revenue shortfall is expected to come from a cut in federal dollars.
“The decline in state revenue will impact us, and we certainly don’t want to see it decline,” Assistant Superintendent Steve Langert said. “But since it’s only been happening to us for two years and we’ve been strong, we’re in a good position.”
Erdey said officials penciled in $8.4 million of the total $132 million revenue as money received from the state, or about 14 percent.
“Many districts are much larger in that percentage,” she said. “When things are uncertain from the state it affects them much more quickly and much more drastically. It’s easier on us.”
The proposed budget is a 6 percent increase over the 2009-2010 budget of $128.3 million.
The school board voted 6-0 to approve the tentative budget at a meeting last week. It now goes up for review and revisions.
There will be a public hearing at 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at Andrew High School. The budget is available for public inspection at the district’s office, 15100 S. 94th Ave. in Orland Park, until the hearing.
