As we are more than half way through the 2009-2010 school year, I write to inform you about some changes that will take place during the 2010-2011 school year. Through news headlines and daily conversations, I am sure that you are all aware and reminded often that the State of Illinois remains in the midst of an economic downturn unlike any in decades. The economic landscape in the State has fundamentally changed due to the billions of dollars of debt that the State is facing. This debt currently includes payments to our school district. Additionally, we are all bracing for a further reduction in state funding and local property taxes due to the reassessment year and the state of the economy. In order to remain proactive and fiscally responsible as this Board of Education has done in the past, the Board of Education voted to approve close to $526,975 in reductions at the February board meeting. These reductions would equate to an approximate total of $290,000 after salary and benefit increases in the 2010-2011 school year.

In determining these decreases in expenditures the Board of Education wanted to assure several situations would occur. First, it was important to keep the reductions as far away as possible from the students. Secondly and to the extent possible, it was important to maintain the current faculty and staff members at Culver School during these difficult financial times.