During School District 113A Board of Education's business meeting Tuesday night, the board voted to permanently transfer $1.8 million from the district’s operations and maintenance fund to the education fund.
Since December 2009, District 113A has been following a state-approved financial plan that includes enrollment, staffing plans, borrowing, cash flow analysis, and budget expenditures and reductions. Any deviation from the plan by the district must be approved by the ISBE before implementation.
But board member Al Malley said he had doubts about the Illinois State Board of Education’s support for the district’s request for the $1.8 million funds transfer. After reading a recent email reply from Deb Vespa, Illinois State Board of Education division administrator for business services, Malley said he was worried about the ISBE administrator’s use of the words, “at risk of financial oversight.”
“I don’t like the verbiage in here,” Malley said of Vespa’s email. “We knew in the beginning we were not going to hit the benchmarks [in the financial plan] but we have not received any feedback [from ISBE].”
Board President Dave Molitor assured Malley that regardless of which fund the money is in, the money remains in the district’s budget. “We are showing improvement,” Molitor said. “We are moving in the direction we are supposed to be.”
“I don’t think the threat of a financial oversight panel is imminent,” said board member Lisa Wright. “I’m perfectly comfortable doing this.”
After several minutes of discussion, board members approved the funds transfer -- with Molitor, Cindy Kelly and Lisa Wright voting yes, Karen Siston voting no and Malley abstaining. Board members Aurelio and Doherty were absent.
The board also authorized an inter-fund loan in the amount of $100,000 from the district’s operations and maintenance fund to the transportation fund.
Other board action included renewal of a lease in the amount of $4,413.50, to allow the Lemont Band Booster Association to utilize the band room at Old Quarry Middle School on weekdays and the school gym for two evening concerts. The lease encompasses the use of chairs, music stands and PA system, sheet music and risers for concerts, as well as utility costs including four months of air conditioning.
To view the complete school board agenda, click here.
Editor's note: A preview of this story was published Tuesday.
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