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Schools

District 39 Announces Proposed FY2012 Budget

The budget anticipates a 1.22 percent increase in salaries and 4.59 percent increase in benefits.

Wilmette's District 39 school board approved a tentative 2012 spending plan of approximately $54.8 million Monday evening, which includes salaries, benefits, purchased services, supplies and materials. With an expected revenue of $61 million, this leaves a projected year-end fund balance of nearly $18.7 million.

The budget anticipates a 1.22 percent increase in salaries and 4.59 percent increase in benefits. Reduced spending in the areas of purchased services, supplies and materials, and capital outlay, however, will create a decrease of about 1.32 percent. 

Officials also presented a five-year financial projection report during the meeting. According to the report, which takes into account Wilmette's increase in property taxes, the fund balance for 2016 is expected to be 30.5 percent of the district's expenditures. 

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"We are continuing our efforts to reduce spending," D39's business manager Crystal LeRoy said. "We have a very good picture... we are going to try to continue to be as efficient as possible."

In an earlier statment made to Patch, Superintendent Ray Lechner said he was wary of the financial implications a pending lawsuit against D39, based on the language used in the tax hike referendum, could have.

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"Had the referendum not passed, we were prepared to make significant cuts in order to balance the budget," Lechner said Wednesday.

A Cook County Court judge will hear the motion for a temporary restraining order against D39 on Thursday.

Stay tuned for more updates from District 39's June meeting.

Editor's Note: The original article incorrectly cited the district's expenditures at $61 million. The expenditures are $54.8 million, while expected revenue is $61 million. We regret the error. 

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