District plans budget cuts, layoffs to counter shortfall

MAHOMET – The Mahomet-Seymour school district has announced proposed cuts to its 2011 budget totaling $643,211, including employee layoffs and some cuts to programs.

According to a letter released to the media and public on Friday, the cuts are a direct result of the state’s revenue crisis.

The state is currently running an estimated $12 billion deficit.

“We’ll have to take precautionary steps, because there are some question marks out there right now,” Keith Oates, superintendent of Mahomet-Seymour schools, said.

Those question marks include the lack of a state budget for fiscal year 2011.

Oates said the district is waiting to see what Gov. Pat Quinn will say in his budget address on March 10.

Until then, the district is working with what it knows. The district is estimating a deficit of $593,825 for fiscal year 2011, based on the fact that there will be no increase in general state aid.

Oates said the state usually increased the foundation level, which usually meant more money for the district.

There also will be no increases in the administrators’ and administrative staff salaries or for non-union salaries.

Reductions and cuts had to be proposed because the Mahomet-Seymour Education Association union labor contract will expire in August.

Employees must be given 60 days notice before the end of the school year if their employment will be affected by cuts. But if the district starts to hear positive information, changes may be made to reductions.

“Just because we’re doing this in March, nothing stops us from reinstating some or all of these reductions,” Oates said.

Cuts being considered include technology, district-wide decentralized budgets, enrichment programs, reductions to number of classes, enrichment program, a high school assistant cross country coach, high school multi-media club, high school chess club, intramural programs, junior high speech team sponsor, a custodial position and a special education teacher.

Oates said it is important to remember that these are only proposed reductions.

That being the case, the board is scheduled to hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at Middletown Early Childhood Center to hear public comment. The board will take action on the items at its March 15 meeting.

Proposed reductions being considered for FY11 Budget:

Technology $100,000

Districtwide decentralized budgets (10 percent reduction) $72,165

One kindergarten class (reduce from 12 half-day sections to 10 half-day sections) $45,870

One second-grade class (class size will increase from 22 to 24 with eight sections rather than nine) $45,870

One third-grade class (class size will increase from 22 to 24 with eight sections rather than nine) $45,870

One fourth-grade class (class size will increase from 22 to 24 with eight sections rather than nine) $45,870

One fifth-grade class (class size will increase from 22 to 24 with eight sections rather than nine) $45,870

Enrichment Program $116,500

One full-time high school position $45,870

High School assistant cross country coach $7,511

High School multi-media club $2,781