Neoga District Looking at Borrowing to Deal w/Fiscal Woes

The Neoga Board of Education may do some short term borrowing to help address the fiscal crisis in the district.

Superintendent Beth Pressler said she is talking with banks about borrowing up to $1 million. Pressler said the borrowing comes attached with a promise that $750,000 in cuts will be made for the coming fiscal year.

A series of moves approved earlier will save the District $990,000, but $350,000 of that total will not be seen in the coming fiscal year and, if Title I teachers are brought back, this coming year's savings would drop to $500,000.

As a result, the Board heard from Pressler Monday night on other ways to realize savings. 

One option is a shortened school day. Pressler said the District is obligated to give teachers a planning period each day. Rather than have those staggered throughout the day, Pressler suggested that students have all of their classes taken by 2pm and then teachers have their planning periods at the end of each day. The Board has already eliminated the Art program and elementary teachers are going to have to handle their own PE instruction, allowing for enough time to get the remaining classes taught with an hour to spare at the end of the day. Pressler estimates the change would save $141,000. Since all of the planning periods would occur at day's end, substitutes would not be needed to cover the planning periods throughout the day. Personal enrichment and professional development could also be offered teachers in that end of the day hour. Pressler said the district has not emphasized professional development for the staff very often in recent years. She said, as a result, "We have a huge morale deficit in the district." 

Pressler understands that it would mean another hour each day for working parents to have to find accommodations for their children. She said she wouldn't recommend the shorter day for more than two years, but felt at the end of the period, Neoga would be a "more positive, focused district." Pressler said she tried these strategies in another district she served and they worked.

Another option discussed is eliminating the Ag and Industrial Arts programs, which would save close to $65,000 in teacher salaries; transportation cuts including elimination of two bus routes; and lowering rates paid substitute teachers and teacher aides. Pressler noted Neoga pays more than most surrounding districts for substitute help.

The Neoga board reviewed two options as far as school year calendars for the coming year, one with the standard school day and one with the shorter days. Under the normal school day calendar, August 17 would be the first day back for students while with the shorter day calendar, students wouldn't start until August 19 since there wouldn't have to be accommodation for teacher's institutes.

Neoga board members noted there is a vacancy on the Board. That's because the candidates in this month's election came from the same township, and no more than three members on a Board can live in the same township. They hope to seat a new Board member at a special meeting on May 27. Applications for the seat are due into the Board office by 5pm on May 14.

The Board also elected officers for the next term. Chris Strohl was chosen Board president, succeeding Tina Moore. Chuck Campbell was chosen vice-president, and Michelle Sheehan is back as Board secretary.

Board members heard from high school principal Benjamin Johnson and Athletic Director Jeff Wooters on private fundraising to pay for athletics and the high school musical to avoid further cuts. Options also included raising admission prices and increasing athletic participation fees.

The Board was also updated by Neoga Elementary School Principal Seth James on plans to relocate to the Neoga Middle School building, since the elementary building is being closed at the end of the school year to cut costs.