Fuel cost jumps to $3 million in tentative budget for U-46
Rising fuel costs and key initiatives to improve student performance are among several items factored into a tentative $364.4 million Elgin Area School District U-46 operating budget presented to the school board Monday night.
U-46 Chief Financial and Operations Officer John Prince said a bulk of the budget, which is about 3 percent more than last year's, would be in salaries and benefits.
Key initiatives such as restructuring plans at six of the district's schools, a new teacher evaluation process and negotiated staffing levels for schools also account for a large portion of the preliminary budget.
Prince also said the budget includes money for the continuation of the District Improvement Plan for the 2008-2009 school year.
Board member Joyce Fountain said the budget's emphasis on improving education was appreciated.
"I am pleased that we are on course in terms of education, that the kids' achievements are driving the budget," Fountain said.
"We are driving the budget based on academic success."
Federal aid is expected to increase about $27.7 million, due in large part to increased funding for the national school lunch program, Prince said.
General state aid also raised the minimum amount spent on each student by $225.
For the first time, the budget calls for about $3 million in fuel costs, a concern that is forcing the district to restructure travel plans for field trips and sporting events.
"This year's budget shows how rising fuel costs are affecting school districts," Superintendent Jose Torres said in a statement.
"Last fiscal year we supplemented out travel budget by $582,000 to cover increasing fuel costs. In this budget, we have increased our request to $3 million for fuel."
Torres added that the district's fuel and electricity costs are expected to exceed $8 million.
The U-46 board will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m., Sept. 8, at the Educational Services Center, 355 E. Chicago St, Elgin. The board is expected to adopt a final budget on Sept. 22.