District 214 Approves Tentative Budget for 2012-13

A conservative approach earns Township High School District 214 a balanced budget for the new school year.

District 214 Board of Education approved a total operating and working cash budget of $232 million, which includes personnel, purchased services, supplies, capital outlay, tuition and other objects.

Last year's budget came in at $230 million.  

Superintendent David Schuler said the district's staff was conservative with revenues and collaborated with other buildings in the district as they prepared this year's budget.

School Board President James Perkins said he was impressed with the work the administration did because there were no major cuts.

Property taxes are the district's largest source of revenue this year, coming in at $188 million or 81 percent of budget, with other revenue streams coming from federal and state aid and corporate taxes. The district will continue to explore and review revenue options.

Technology and transportation will see an increase in this year's budget.

A data disaster recovery plan, security cameras and a data mining solution are projects anticipated for the new school year. Contracts, fuel costs and usage will result in an estimated 3 to 5 percent increase in transportation expenses. 

A cost containment structure has been put in place to keep the district's budgets balanced, Schuler explained Thursday night. 

The School Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget during the at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 board meeting. Board members will vote on the budget following the hearing.