D. 31 Considers More Cuts; Citizens Form Pro-Refendum Group

The board of West Northfield School District 31 will discuss possible budget cuts at its next meeting, Jan. 26, Triblocal reports. 

Superintendent Alexandra Nicholson told Triblocal that a committee of staff and community members had met in closed session Jan. 10 to discuss further cuts in the school district, which is seeking a $1.8 million property tax increase on the March 20 ballot. 

As Patch has previously reported, . After , District 31  to its budget. Those cuts included some teachers and support personnel as well as extracurricular programs for students and funding for new technology. Teachers also agreed to a one-year salary freeze.

Even with those cuts, the district’s 2011-12 budget falls approximately $1.5 million short. 

Nicholson told Patch in December that the district faces mounting costs as more students qualify for state-mandated English language classes, as well as $1.35 million in necessary “life safety” repairs due to be completed on the aging buildings.

“We’re working with a lot more challenges than the other districts,” she said in December. “Having the lowest tax rate in the area does not give us enough money to sustain our programs. Something has to be done on a permanent basis.”  

If voters approve the referendum, the district would collect approximately $1.8 million more in property taxes next year. District 31 is asking for $1.8 million but expects to net only $1.5 million given falling property tax values, according to Nicholson. 

Given that last year’s referendum was met with significant opposition from members of the community, board members will also be planning for a financial future in which the referendum does not pass. Nicholson said she did not want to tell Triblocal what specific cuts had been discussed until board members had seen the list.

While the school board considers what might happen if the referendum fails, members of the community are rallying in hopes that they can bring voters who favor the property tax increase to the polls. Citizens for District 31, a group formed of parents, teachers and other community members, will be holding a volunteer meeting Monday, Jan. 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

To read the full story from Triblocal, click here. The school district’s next board meeting takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in the Learning Center at .