D157-C Board Approves 2011-12 Budget Amid Single Objection

• CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the Frankfort School District 157-C budget increased the property tax rate to 7.8 percent. That was incorrect. Patch regrets the error.

passed its $28 million budget at Monday's board meeting. And although there were no comments at the public hearing before the vote, one board member did object to the district's financial plan.

Board member Christopher McFadden, the only member voting against the proposed budget, said he felt village homeowners were paying too much in property taxes with this new budget. . 

"I cannot support a (property) tax increase that is more than the rate of inflation," Mcfadden said, adding that home owners would be paying more, roughly averaging $387 in taxes on a $400,000 house. "I do not know anybody in the private sector whose paycheck is going up 7.8 percent this year. ... In this economy, most people are happy just to have a job."

McFadden, who lauded those who worked on the budget, including Curt Saindon, assistant superintendent of finance and operations, suggested using the district's $15 million reserve fund to offset costs instead of raising property taxes.

"In the short term, during this terrible economy, I would like to see us make some use of those reserves instead of relying so heavily on property tax increases," he said. "I’ve spoken with Curt, and I believe that there are ways to make a strategic use of our reserve funds, maximize our tax levy yet limit our property tax increase and continue to meet our goal of providing a world class education."

The 2011-12 budget actually will use some reserve funds to cover a shortfall of about $200,000, Saindon said. Budgeted revenue is $28.2 million, but the operating budget is $28.4 million. 

According to a press release sent out Tuesday, D157-C board members and administrators will continue cost-cutting measures while without adversely affecting students' education. Some examples include: going to a four-day week over the summer, working with ComEd lower electricity consumption, staffing reductions through retirement and looking at employee insurance, the release said.