U-46 taps analyst for finance post
Elgin Area School District U-46 has selected a longtime financial analyst to oversee the district's finances.
Superintendent Jose Torres on Monday announced the appointment of Dale Burnidge as U-46's director of financial operations.
Burnidge has worked for the district in various capacities since December 2002. During that time, he served as accounting manager, prepared monthly fiscal reports, oversaw wire transfers and accounts payable and most recently helped develop the budget.
Burnidge is also vice president of Prairie Ridge District 46 in Crystal Lake.
“I just want to thank the board and Dr. Torres for the opportunity, Burnidge said.
U-46 has been without a chief financial officer since Ron Ally left at the end of the 2009-10 school year to accept a position at Harper College in Palatine. Ally's departure came just one year after John Prince left for a job in Plainfield schools. Prince had been in his post for six years.
Burnidge is not exactly filling Ally's former role. U-46 is still trying to find a chief operations officer, to whom Burnidge would report. But in practice, Burnidge will fulfill many of the duties of a chief financial officer, according to the district.
“With Dale's knowledge of the budget process, Dr. Torres is looking at someone (for the chief operating officer post) who can streamline operations, U-46 spokesman Tony Sanders said. “Dr. Torres wants to make sure we have the right person long term.
Burnidge will make $105,250 a year in his new position, in addition to about $5,000 in annual pension earnings and medical insurance valued at $18,600, according to U-46.
Burnidge will have his work cut out for him. While U-46 is projecting a barely balanced budget for the 2010-11 school year, the district is facing a structural deficit of about $40 million, meaning it would have to cut that much to get its long-term spending in line with revenues. U-46 may have to take out short-term loans this year to cover payroll if the state continues to delay payments to schools.