Preliminary budget for 2012-13 released
March 27, 2012

DATE: March 27, 2012

TOPIC: PRELIMINARY BUDGET 2012-13 RELEASED
CONTACT: Lynn Peisker

Champaign Unit 4 School District has released its 2012-13 preliminary budget, totaling $104,733,465. With large budget surpluses over the last two years, this budget for the next school year allows for the addition of new expenditures while maintaining a fund balance to revenue ratio of 24%.

Due to conservative and careful fiscal management, the District is able to add some new expenditures in 2012-2013 that will support student achievement. Included are SMART boards, cameras and projectors to infuse classroom with effective technology. The District will also expand technology staff with 2 instructional technology teachers and an Assistant Director for Instructional Technology that will help ensure that curriculum and student achievement are driving technology additions and provide professional development for teachers in the area of technology. Also anticipated are 3 additional teachers at kindergarten and first grade to accommodate growing enrollment while maintaining a class size that is best for students. Also added are an ESL teacher and a half time teacher of Mandarin Chinese at the middle school level, an addition nurse, 2 high school teachers and new equipment for the shop and auto areas to support Career and Technical Education for high school students.

Other highlights of the preliminary budget include:
- No cuts in 2012-13 or 2013-14 budgets.
- Maintaining the lowest property tax rate for any unit school district in Champaign County and the lowest property tax rates for large unit districts in the state of Illinois.
- Expansion of some programs based on large reserves including infusion of technology in classrooms
- Use of large surpluses from the last two fiscal years to build reserves to record levels.
- Appropriate use of reserves without jeopardizing future financial security.
- Adjustments to address the decreases in state and federal funding ($3.7 million from 2012-11 and 2011-12 budgets).
- Taking into account concerns over state and federal funding for K-12 education and concerns over state obligations being transferred onto local districts.

The only reduction in force (RIF) of support personnel that was necessary was in two grant-funded programs; once the grant funding is secured, employees will be recalled.

For More Information, Contact:
Stephanie Stuart, Community Relations Coordinator
stuartst@champaignschools.org
(217) 531-0252