Mokena 159 School Board Eyeing Where to Cut Next

Mokena parents Wednesday night had strong words for the Mokena 159 Board of Education in the wake of . Closing the school could have saved the district up to a projected $480,000. 

"Tonight you are discussing staffing and teachers—the people directly affecting our kids on a day-to-day basis—being cut before bricks and mortar," parent Drew Haverstock, who is also on the committee to vote yes on the , said during public comment. "Buildings don't help our kids learn their multiplication tables, overcome their reading deficits or teach them how to act when the right time to challenge authority arises."

Another parent, Meredith Toosley, also expressed frustration over the board's seeming inaction in making cuts.

"As a member of this community and as a parent, I am very disappointed in the board's efforts as a whole to put into motion a detailed plan of what will take place whether or not the referendum passes," Toosley said.

Toosley added that she appreciated the district's recent three-year plan to reduce its $2.7 deficit, but called for "specific and realistic plans of action—now, not later."

Administrators presented the board with several proposal for cutting personnel, which will be further discussed and voted on at the board's next meeting, on Feb. 23. The district is required to give notice to staff members who are to be cut before the end of February so they can make plans for the next school year, Board Vice President Kathy Moore said.

According to the district's proposal, up to seven teaching positions could be cut (four because of declining enrollment). Administration recommended keeping Early Start for 2011-2012, until the competitive bidding process for the grant is over. Keeping the program would result in only six positions being cut and would cost the district around $71,000.

"We believe every cut is painful," Supt. Karen Perry said as the recommendations were introduced.

The board will continue to consider additional cuts in the coming months, including:

• Elimination of an assistant principal position
• Elimination of extracurriculars, with the exception of a few support programs
• Elimination of three learning center aides
• Elimination of two computer aides
• Elimination of the Response to Intervention coordinator
• Reduction of two 12-month secretaries to 10.5 months
• Elimination of sub caller
• Elimination of volunteer coordinator

To generate revenue, the administration recommended increasing lunch fees next year from $2 per student to $2.50. Adults would pay $3 instead of $2.50. Administrators also proposed raising registration, milk and other fees, detailed here:

Perry also presented the board with recommendations on what to reinstate for the 2011-2012 school year if the referendum passes. In the order they would be reinstated, they are:

• Educational programming
• Return class sizes to 2011-2012 levels and trend toward further class size reductions.
• Bring back full-day kindergarten.
• Bring back Early Start (if eliminated). Early Start, the district's preschool program, might not return because the grant the district receives to run it will become competitive next year.
• Reduce or eliminate busing fees implemented in January for the 2011-2012 school year. The board voted recently to charge $200 per student for busing services.
• Reinstate Response to Intervention coordinator position.
• Reinstate extracurricular activities
• Reinstate 12 month secretaries from 11 months
• Reinstate assistant principal position
• Reinstate learning center coordinators
• Reinstate volunteer coordinator