District 308 Eyes Balanced 2012 Budget

officials said past deficit reduction measures have helped bring forward a balanced 2012 fiscal year tentative budget.

A proposed $172.6 million operating budget was submitted to the school board Monday. The district expects to take in $189,000 more than it spends on operating expenses.

“We did some painful deficit reductions about a year and a half ago and we’re still carrying a majority of those through and that’s what’s keeping us in line,” said Tim Neubauer, assistant superintendent for business and finance.

Those cuts have included significant reduction of building-level allocations, professional development cutbacks, elimination of non-curricular field trips, reduced the number of clubs and intramural sports, curriculum renewal cutbacks, deferred building maintenance, and continued suspension of the building trades program.

Neubauer also lauded state funding which he said “came through better than we anticipated,” and the District 308 staff.

“Everybody has been, without hesitation and without complaining, really toeing the line in trying to control expenses,” he said. “They’ve done a bang-up job.”

The tentative 2012 fiscal year budget will be on public display for the public for 30 days at the Oswego Public Library, and the District Administration Center. It is also available on the district’s website.

A budget hearing and final adoption is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, at .