SD 159 weighs budget options
BY GINGER BRASHINGER Correspondent February 9, 2011 11:28PM
Updated: September 24, 2012 6:25AM
The Mokena School District 159 Board on Wednesday night reviewed several reports regarding raising revenue and reducing expenses for the 2011-2012 school year.
Among the proposals are a 20 percent increase in registration fees and a 50-cent increase in the lunch fee. District 159 Supt. Karen Perry said the lunch increase would put the district in line with other school districts in the area.
To address a projected $2.7 million budget deficit, Perry has proposed several budget reductions, including laying off several teachers and aides, cutting an assistant principal position and eliminating extracurricular activities.
The number of teaching positions to be eliminated will depend on several factors, including enrollment, class size and the possible elimination of the Early Start Program for preschool children.
Board president Tim King said he expects the proposed cuts to be further discussed and voted on at the Feb. 23 board meeting.
A measure that would have saved the district about $480,000 per year failed last month when the school board voted to keep Mokena Intermediate School open through at least the 2011-12 school year.
Also last month, board members voted to charge $200 to $375 per student for busing, depending on whether the student lives within 1.5 miles of school.
