Good morning,
As we begin the month
of May, the close of another school year is fast approaching. Our
current state fiscal crisis is causing all public school districts
to carefully examine their budgeting process. I have attempted to
keep you informed about the challenges that BESD53 faces next year
and in the years to come. With the Board’s commitment to utilize
over $2 million of District reserves, I believe we have met the
challenge for fiscal 2010-2011. The lack of a clear solution to
the state budget crisis does cast a shadow of uncertainty over
future budgets.
I wanted to provide
all staff with an update on our responses to the fiscal challenges
we are all facing. During our last budget discussions, I heard
very clearly that there were “frills” that the district could
forego. To this end, I have made several changes to the end of
the year activities. In the past when an employee had perfect
attendance for the school year, the Board provided a cash “bonus”
of $150. We will not be awarding this bonus this year. Both the
Board and I appreciate the dedication of all employees who have
perfect attendance, however, we will have to express that
appreciation with a simple thank you.
The District has
traditionally sponsored an all staff luncheon at the end of the
year where retiring staff would be recognized and milestone
experience with the district acknowledged. We will not be having
an all staff luncheon this year. We will be recognizing retiring
staff at the regular School Board Meeting, May 25th.
Recognition of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30+ years of experience will be
moved to the beginning of the school year meeting in August.
Another change in August will be the elimination of the annual
back-to-school luncheon. We will be publishing a schedule of
back-to-school activities this summer.
Barring any
significant changes in State funding of education, I expect that
the Board will direct me to develop a proposal that will result in
a referendum to increase in local property taxes
beyond the present tax cap on the November ballot. School
employees need to understand that regardless of the Board of
Education or superintendent’s personal views regarding a
referendum we are limited in our public comments to only providing
information. We are legally prohibited from advocating a vote
yes, or vote no position. Likewise, when there is a referendum
question in front of local voters, school employees are not able
to advocate a position while they are actively engaged in their
position.
If you as an employee
support increasing the local real estate taxes to fund the public
schools, you may participate during your non-work time in vote yes
activities. You may attend meetings and write letters to the
editor. You may advocate a position when at non-school events
like community recreation department games, or church activities.
You may not use your classroom as a platform to advocate to your
students a particular position. You cannot use district email or
web services to advocate a position. You cannot wear vote yes
buttons to school while you are teaching.
I want to finish by
commending you for all your efforts that enable BESD 53 students
to place at the top of all schools in Kankakee County in tested
achievement scores. I want to recognize that your collective
commitment to professional development and expanding your
professional repertoire will continue to enable all of our
students to achieve at high levels.
The budget
development process this year required that we make painful
reductions in staff at all levels. I plan to be meeting with
administrators to assess how we can best utilize remaining staff
so that student achievement doesn’t suffer. It is possible that
we will define some changes to utilize the strengths of our
staff. If there are changes proposed that would require a change
in assignment, I can assure you that those decisions will be made
very early to provide staff with time to adequately prepare for
the 2010-2011 school year. I want to thank you for your efforts
on behalf of the children of Bourbonnais. As always, I welcome
your thoughts and feedback.
Myron V. Palomba,
Ph.D.
Superintendent of
Schools
Bourbonnais
Elementary School District 53
281 W. John Casey
Road
Bourbonnais, Illinois
60914
815-929-5191
