Colchester, IL – The West Prairie school district board approved a balanced budget ... as long as the state comes through with a promised state aid increase.
Superintendent Jonathan Heerboth says the $7.3 million budget was based on what has been outlined as an increase in the foundation level given per pupil.
He says if the legislature cannot agree on that, the state would distribute state aid based on last year's formula.
Heerboth says the district has carryover funds enough to stay solvent at the lower reimbursement level.
He says the increase if it comes through would mean several hundred thousand dollars to the district.
However, he says failure to increase the foundation level would be a blow to rural school districts throughout the state.
To balance the budget, the district did not replace several retiring teachers, and is using part-time teachers to make sure all high school classes are staffed.
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The number of students in the districr is declining.
Declines in the assessed value of farmland will mean the loss of about $30,000 in property tax revenue.
Even with the cuts, the district was able to increase its Spanish program and continue with technology upgrades.