District 95 passes $1.7M deficit budget

Carbondale Elementary School District 95 will head into the 2021 fiscal year with a possible $1.7 million deficit.

As approved on Sept. 18 by the CESD 95 Board of Education, the budget prepared by business director Dr. Eric Trimberger has revenues of $22.9 million, up from $22.2 million the previous year. Operating expenses are $24.749 million, up from $24.365 million the year before.

Property tax collection is forecast at 97 percent, a reduction in revenue of $413,623, Trimberger reported.

The $1.7-million shortfall, Trimberger says, is a "worst-case scenario," which assumes in-person learning the entire year. Under remote learning, for example, there will be reduced costs for transportation and the hiring of substitute teachers and paraprofessionals. "The administration believes that the final operating deficit will be between $1 million and $1.25 million. The administration will be discussing necessary steps to stabilize the district's finances at upcoming finance committee meetings," Trimberger concluded in his memo to the board.