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Homewood SD 153 superintendent warns of return to deficit, board approves RIF resolution and multiple personnel and payment motions
Summary
Superintendent Dr. McAllister told the Homewood SD 153 board on April 7 that a November 2022 referendum produced revenue but property-assessment changes reduced expected collections by about $1.7 million; the district is recommending staffing reductions. The board approved a resolution authorizing a reduction in force (1.6 FTE), nonrenewal of 17
Superintendent Dr. McAllister told the Homewood School District 153 Board of Education on April 7 that while a November 2022 referendum increased local revenue, changes in assessed valuation produced a roughly $1.7 million shortfall compared with the district’s projection, and without additional changes the district will return to deficit spending next year.
The shortfall, Dr. McAllister said, stemmed from timing and assessment changes used in the Illinois funding calculations; a legislative fix helped set the district’s levy base to $19.5 million but could not recover the entire $1.7 million shortfall. At the same time the district faces rising costs, including a recently negotiated teacher contract, higher replacement costs for new hires, an insurance quote that initially projected a 24% premium increase, high special-education and transportation costs, and building-maintenance needs (Dr. McAllister said the district spent about $1.8 million to replace Churchill’s roof last year and plans a Willow roof replacement this summer that exceeds $2 million).
To address projected deficits, the administration recommended personnel and budgetary actions. At the meeting the board approved a set of motions that the district said are designed to reduce expenses while preserving program delivery where possible.
Votes at a glance
- Authorize second payment of March 2025 bills and first payment of April 2025 bills, amount not to exceed $2,446,957.34 — approved (roll call: yes 9, no 0).
- Approve resolution authorizing reduction in force for certified staff for the 2025–26 school year (1.6 FTE reduction) — approved (roll call: yes 9, no 0). The district described RIFs as cost‑driven (not performance‑related) and said affected teachers retain recall rights.
- Approve nonrenewal of the teaching contract for Yesenia Gomez, special-education teacher at James Hart School, for 2025–26 — approved (roll call: yes 9, no 0).
- Approve nonrenewal of all 17 probationary paraprofessionals for 2025–26 (the administration said some from that list will be rehired later based on special-education needs) — approved (roll call: yes 9, no 0).
- Approve employment appointment (supervisory) of Marie Holmes at Churchill, effective April 2025 — approved (roll call: yes 9, no 0).
The superintendent explained the referendum mechanics and the revenue gap in detail. He said the referendum had been intended to eliminate a structural deficit and build cash reserves, but that reassessments of equalized assessed value (EAV) in the district produced lower-than-expected collections in early years and created a persistent gap that was only partially addressed by legislation sponsored with Representative Will Davis. Even after the legislative correction, Dr. McAllister said the district gave up $1.7 million from its original projection and still must manage rising expenses.
Dr. McAllister listed the principal drivers of rising costs: a newly negotiated teacher contract (described as earned and necessary to remain competitive), higher replacement costs for newly hired teachers during a teacher shortage, rising insurance premiums, expensive special-education services, transportation costs and imminent building projects (roof repairs and life‑safety items). He and business staff said district administrators had spent months reviewing budgets, exploring contracting vs. in‑house options (psychologists, nursing, lawn care and operations), consolidating mobile units where feasible, and seeking to minimize impacts on classroom programming.
Board members said they had discussed multiple mitigation strategies in committee and expressed regret about recommending any personnel reductions. Several trustees emphasized they prioritized preserving classroom programming and extracurricular offerings; the administration said no change in core music programming is expected because staff will be reassigned to keep the program intact.
Ending: The board approved the listed motions. The administration said it will bring detailed staffing-reduction lists and implementation steps to subsequent meetings; parents and staff will receive follow‑up communications. The superintendent reiterated a pledge to use referendum dollars and continued cost-control measures to stabilize district finances.
