'Detrimental' Cuts In Center Cass Possible: Official

Darien IL

16 February, 2022

7:11 AM

Description

DARIEN, IL — Center Cass School District 66 is considering a tax increase of nearly 25 percent, with officials saying the schools are running out of money. Next month, the school board is expected to decide whether to put the increase before voters in the June 28 election. In response, some may wonder what would happen if voters reject the proposal. A resident posed that question to Superintendent Andrew Wise recently. In an email last week, Wise responded that the district may need to increase fees or make larger and more "detrimental" cuts to classroom spending. He also raised the possibility of running the tax increase again in the November election. Another option, Wise said, is the district may seek short-term loans to pay bills, with the expectation of receiving tax money later. Such loans are known as tax anticipation warrants. With a tax increase on the table, taxpayers may ask what has been done to cut administration. In an email, Wise said the district has reduced administrative positions. In 2014, he said, it eliminated an assistant principal's position at Lakeview Junior High and reduced the full-time technology director's position to part time in 2019. At the same time, he said the current administrative jobs are needed. Those consist of principals at each of the three schools, a combined maintenance and transportation director, a part-time technology director, a special education director and a curriculum director. "Removing any of these positions would put our students at a huge disadvantage and negatively impact our students and families, both operationally and educationally," Wise said. Under the district's proposal, taxes for a $300,000 house would go up by $500 to $550 a year, depending on a number of factors. The increase would being in $3 million more a year. The district, which includes parts of Darien and Downers Grove, says its tax rate is lower than most elementary school districts in DuPage County. Even with the tax hike under consideration, its rate would still remain in the bottom half, according to the district. In a story last week, Patch reported on the district's financial situation and what it says its needs are.