Q&A with Dr. Nick Polyak — Answers about school district’s financial crisis

 IVC District 321 Superintendent Nick Polyak invites residents to "Coffee with the Superintendent" from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Happy Thought Coffee, 953 N. Second St.

Polyak and assistant superintendent Patrick Hatfield will be on hand to answer questions and chat about IVC schools. If residents have additional questions about IVC schools or the impact of the state’s funding issues, stop in to discuss questions and concerns.
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We are in unprecedented times in Illinois school finances. The state of Illinois is facing a budget deficit of more than $12 billion next year, and this will have a direct impact on every school district in the state. We have heard a number of questions around town regarding the impact that the state’s financial crisis will have on IVC schools.

These are quick answers to some of the more common questions school administrators have been asked:

What impact will this have on IVC finances this year (2009-10)?
The state is approximately five months behind in some of their bills to school districts.  In several of our funding categories, we will be lucky to receive half of the money that is owed to us. We started this year with a balanced budget but may end the year with a $700,000 deficit due to these unpaid bills by the state.

What impact will this have on IVC finances next year (2010-11)?
A bad situation this year is expected to greatly worsen next year. The state was given over $1 billion in stimulus funds this year for schools. 

The lack of that money next year, coupled with a number of other factors, would give IVC a projected deficit of somewhere between $2 and $3 million in 2010-11 if no changes are made to the way the district operates.

How is IVC responding to these uncertain financial conditions?
Due to conservative spending over the last few years, the district has some financial reserves. Because of those reserves, the district is able to make some cuts towards the anticipated deficit, while also using some reserved funds for next year. 

Over the next few months, the district will make a wide range of cuts to save approximately $1.5 million. The focus of the board of education has been to save money while making as small of an impact on the education of students as possible.

If the finances are difficult, why is IVC adding on to South School?
Regardless of our current financial situation, the district still needs to invest in our facilities. The project at South will improve the educational experience for our students and came at a time when construction costs were as low as they will likely ever be again. 

While in the short term it may seem counterintuitive to spend a significant amount of money on a building project, in the long run, it will provide great value and return to the district. It is also important to note that the money being used for that project can only be used for construction. It cannot be spent on salaries, books, etc.

What summer projects will the district be completing this year?
The Regional Office of Education identifies certain projects that districts must complete as part of ongoing life-safety work. Much like the addition at South, we have certain dollars that can only be spent on these projects. 

To meet these requirements, we will be replacing fire alarm systems at CEC and the high school, replacing doors at the high school, and replacing windows at Mossville, along with a few other, smaller projects.

Will people’s taxes be affected by these financial problems?
The short answer is “no.”  The school board and the district have made a concerted effort to keep our community’s tax rate consistent.

With that in mind, the district is looking to make prudent financial cuts rather than asking for an increase in the tax rate.

What effects will be seen in programs and services next year?
IVC will have fewer administrators, teachers, secretaries and aides next year. Some of this will be accomplished by not replacing staff members who are retiring or resigning. 

The district will be asking its faculty, staff and administration to do more with less next year in order to maintain, as much as possible, the course offerings and programs currently offered.
The state budget is set to be announced in March. After that time, we will know more about programs such as Bright Futures for next year.

What can residents in the district do to help?
The best thing residents can do is to continue to be supportive of the students, the faculty and staff, the schools and the local community. It might also be helpful to encourage local legislators to make the crisis in school funding a top priority. 

I have seen on the news where school districts have been identifying the amount of money they are owed by the state and displaying it prominently on signs. Why is IVC not doing this?
While it is sometimes cathartic to vent frustrations, the district does not feel this contributes anything constructive to solving the current funding crisis.