McHenry County Blog

Daily Herald reporter has written an article saying a secretary who is alleged to have stolen over $100,000 over a two year period from student activity funds has been arrested at a traffic stop.

She was indicted two weeks ago, the story says, but the police couldn’t find her.

It certainly has taken a long, long time.

Back in January I asked School Board President Joe Stevens what was happening and he sent me this email:

“Regarding the $100,000 suspected lost from the student activity fund, we have now completed our forensic audit and it does validate such a loss occurred.

“We fully expect to recover all of the money through our insurance provider.

“The matter now rests with the States Attorney awaiting further action.

“You may feel free to use this in your blog.”

The 46-year old woman who was arrested is Lisa Burkhart-Foster and she lives in East Dundee.

The money disappeared from 2004-2006.

In an August 6, 2007, letter to Daily Herald reporter Emily Krone, District 300 School Superintendent Ken Arndt releases a timeline which includes

• 2005 : Central Office employees identified concerns with student activity accounts and began pursuing answers to their concerns
• September 2006 (after the rate hike and bond referendums, I would note): D300 launched a series of proactive steps to research, define, and correct the root cause(s) of the bookkeeping problems.
• July 2006: D300 filed a police report on the matter with after determining that embezzlement was probable.
• July 2007: D300 filed papers in Kane County Circuit Court seeking financial documentation to help answer the remaining questions, which are relevant both to District’s insurance claim and possible criminal charges.

Click to enlarge.

The theft was discovered in 2007 while the 55-cent tax hike and $185 million bond referendum was on the front burner.

A forensic auditor was brought in…to prove up the case, I guess.

The regular District 300 auditor found nothing amiss.

Below is a statement issued by Carpentersville School District 300’s School Board President Joe Stevens and Superintendent Ken Arndt (additional paragraphs have been added in order to make it easier to read on a computer screen):

Monday, March 9, 2009

Dear District 300 parents, community members, and staff members,

It is the responsibility of the District 300 Board of Education to provide a quality education for all children at a cost the community can afford. D300 leaders are committed to working within our means, to ensure we maintain this balance.

Despite the District’s good fiscal management and planning over the past several years, D300, like many school districts across Illinois and the nation, is entering a potentially difficult economic period in 2009-2010.

As you likely read in the February 2009 D300 newsletter, this is mainly due to two reasons, neither of which is in the District’s control: (

1) the economic recession’s impact on the December 2008 consumer price index (CPI), which will severely restrict the revenue that D300 can collect this school year under the tax cap law, and

(2) the potential for insufficient education funding from the state in the 2009-2010 school year due to the massive deficit now faced by Illinois state government.

Because the largest portion of any school district’s budget is personnel, this is always an area of focus when working to maintain a balanced budget.

Sometimes this forces a school board to make difficult decisions.

This evening (Monday, March 9), the D300 Board of Education voted in an open meeting to release 46 non-tenured (less experienced) teachers as of July 1, 2009, for either performance issues or budgetary reasons.

Fourteen of them were released due to performance problems and will not be rehired.

However, the remaining 32 teachers were released strictly for budgetary reasons.

This aspect of the vote was one of the most difficult and painful decisions that this School Board has ever faced.

But the D300 Board is not alone in the challenge of balancing a quality education with conservative fiscal planning during this economic recession. School districts near and far are releasing staff due to the precariousness of the state budget.

These 32 staff members constitute all of the first-year, general education (not bilingual or special education) elementary school teachers in D300.

They did not have performance issues, and they will be provided letters of recommendation.

The Board is releasing them now to meet the state statute on proper notification, allowing them time for their employment transition.

There are no current plans to release any other staff members due to budgetary reasons for the 2009-2010 school year.

The earliest D300 expects to know whether some of the teachers can return to a D300 classroom for 2009-2010 will be this June.

Whether or not some return to D300 will depend on subject-area needs, funding, and student enrollment figures (enrollment growth in the upper grades but a drop or stagnation in lower grades, for example).

Regardless, we expect a district-wide net loss of at least 15 teaching positions this fall.

In the months leading up to D300’s March 2006 referendum, virtually no one could have anticipated the dire economic situation now faced at local, state, and national levels.

These 32 releases are specifically intended to help keep the budget balanced so that D300 does not have to return to voters for years to come.

D300 expects for the most part to still be able to maintain the average elementary class size that was promised in the referendum, partly due to falling elementary enrollment and the steep drop in housing sales.

The D300 Board has chosen to be especially cautious now to protect local taxpayers over the long term.

Truly,

Joseph R. Stevens, President, Board of Education

Kenneth M. Arndt, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools

= = = = =
Dist 300 School District Superintendent Ken Arndt can be seen in the top photo, Board President Joe Stevens below. Both photos were taken at last winter’s Legislative Breakfast.

This is the third in a series of articles about Monday’s legislative breakfast given by Carpentersville District 300.

Attending were various district administrators, board members John Ryan, who chaired the meeting, and Board President Joe Stevens, plus members of the public.

There were a lot of empty chairs.

State Senator Pam Althoff (R-McHenry) and State Representatives Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake), Ruth Munson (R-Elgin) and Tim Schmitz (R-St. Charles) made up the legislative contingent.

Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates next took the floor. I can’t resist putting up a photo of here standing in front of the projector in which her face became the screen.

OK, I know I’m being naughty, and I’ve got a weird sense of humor.

But, there it was right in front of me—Crates’ face playing the role of screen. I couldn’t help myself when the word “Taxes” appeared on her cheek.

But, back to money.

Crates explained that in the last seven years the state’s share of the district’s operating budget has decrease from 29% to 16%. You can see the details on the screen, if you click to enlarge the picture.

She pointed out that as property value goes up, state aid goes down.

“We knew when the tax rate went up our state aid would go down,” Crates said.

She then attacked the state aid formula, pointing out something I had not realized:

District 300 is a mid-range district.

To me, that means radical change would leave District 300 pretty much unaffected.

“We feel it is incumbent to take on this problem and make it fairer,” she stated. “I understand the richer districts don’t want to help the poorer districts.”

At some point, appropriate here, State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) interjected that some of the Downstate school districts have local tax rates of $1.15 per hundred.

His point was that, even if they were considered “poor,” their local taxpayers were not making an adequate effort.

School Board President Joe Stevens pointed out that the so-called transition money couldn’t be used to hire teachers.
The reason is because it disappears.

State Rep. Ruth Munson (R-Elgin) pointed out she and State Senator Pam Althoff (R-McHenry) has worked on getting the fast growth money.

“We’re looking at ways to get current year funding for special education.”

This is the third in a series of articles about Monday’s legislative breakfast given by Carpentersville District 300.

Attending were various district administrators, board members John Ryan, who chaired the meeting, and Board President Joe Stevens, plus members of the public.

There were a lot of empty chairs.

State Senator Pam Althoff (R-McHenry) and State Representatives Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake), Ruth Munson (R-Elgin) and Tim Schmitz (R-St. Charles) made up the legislative contingent.

Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates next took the floor. I can’t resist putting up a photo of here standing in front of the projector in which her face became the screen.

OK, I know I’m being naughty, and I’ve got a weird sense of humor.

But, there it was right in front of me—Crates’ face playing the role of screen. I couldn’t help myself when the word “Taxes” appeared on her cheek.

But, back to money.

Crates explained that in the last seven years the state’s share of the district’s operating budget has decrease from 29% to 16%. You can see the details on the screen, if you click to enlarge the picture.

She pointed out that as property value goes up, state aid goes down.

“We knew when the tax rate went up our state aid would go down,” Crates said.

She then attacked the state aid formula, pointing out something I had not realized:

District 300 is a mid-range district.

To me, that means radical change would leave District 300 pretty much unaffected.

“We feel it is incumbent to take on this problem and make it fairer,” she stated. “I understand the richer districts don’t want to help the poorer districts.”

At some point, appropriate here, State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) interjected that some of the Downstate school districts have local tax rates of $1.15 per hundred.

His point was that, even if they were considered “poor,” their local taxpayers were not making an adequate effort.

School Board President Joe Stevens pointed out that the so-called transition money couldn’t be used to hire teachers.
The reason is because it disappears.

State Rep. Ruth Munson (R-Elgin) pointed out she and State Senator Pam Althoff (R-McHenry) has worked on getting the fast growth money.

“We’re looking at ways to get current year funding for special education.”

This is the second in a detailed look at what Carpentersville District 300 officials told to and heard from area legislators on Tuesday morning. John Ryan chaired the meeting. School Board President Joe Stevens was the only other board member in attendance.

Back to money.

Stevens pointed out that 85% of the district’s operating budget was “on the local taxpayer. It just seems to me that there has to be some more money coming from the state.”

Citizens Finance Committee Chair Bob Schwab remembered how in 2004 he and Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates had gotten together and “actually dug down into the finance (thing).”

Referring to the resulting referendum and its affect on taxes, he said,

“We have had some fairly high increases in that direction.”

He praised the additional $2.8 million in state aid to education that resulted from the General Assembly’s increasing the foundation level by $400 per student, but he pointed out that the district only gets $500,000 for special education, a state mandate.

“It was a wonderful year for us,” Crates added later.

This is probably as good a place as any to point out that the year I voted for a telephone tax that resulted in District 300 getting an extra $6.2 million, there wasn’t even a thank you letter. The district swallowed it whole, with past officials continuing to complain there was not enough money coming from state taxpayers.

This is in start contrast to the number of times current legislators were thanked in writing and in person on Monday morning.

Schwab noted that District 300 would lose $1 million in transitional aid, which I took to mean the district’s share of the fast growth line item.

The district is now focusing on getting the teacher to student ratio to “28 or less.”

He also mentioned the establishment of high school departmental chairs.

“I understand the importance of them.”

If memory serves me correctly, they cost $1 million a year.

= = = = =
District 300 school board member John Ryan is on the top right; Joe Stevens, president of the board is on the right. Below explaining the district’s financial situation is Bob Schwab, Chair of the Community Finance Committee. Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates is on the bottom left. Some of those attending are seen in the bottom photograph.

This is the second in a detailed look at what Carpentersville District 300 officials told to and heard from area legislators on Tuesday morning. John Ryan chaired the meeting. School Board President Joe Stevens was the only other board member in attendance.

Back to money.

Stevens pointed out that 85% of the district’s operating budget was “on the local taxpayer. It just seems to me that there has to be some more money coming from the state.”

Citizens Finance Committee Chair Bob Schwab remembered how in 2004 he and Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates had gotten together and “actually dug down into the finance (thing).”

Referring to the resulting referendum and its affect on taxes, he said,

“We have had some fairly high increases in that direction.”

He praised the additional $2.8 million in state aid to education that resulted from the General Assembly’s increasing the foundation level by $400 per student, but he pointed out that the district only gets $500,000 for special education, a state mandate.

“It was a wonderful year for us,” Crates added later.

This is probably as good a place as any to point out that the year I voted for a telephone tax that resulted in District 300 getting an extra $6.2 million, there wasn’t even a thank you letter. The district swallowed it whole, with past officials continuing to complain there was not enough money coming from state taxpayers.

This is in start contrast to the number of times current legislators were thanked in writing and in person on Monday morning.

Schwab noted that District 300 would lose $1 million in transitional aid, which I took to mean the district’s share of the fast growth line item.

The district is now focusing on getting the teacher to student ratio to “28 or less.”

He also mentioned the establishment of high school departmental chairs.

“I understand the importance of them.”

If memory serves me correctly, they cost $1 million a year.

= = = = =
District 300 school board member John Ryan is on the top right; Joe Stevens, president of the board is on the right. Below explaining the district’s financial situation is Bob Schwab, Chair of the Community Finance Committee. Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates is on the bottom left. Some of those attending are seen in the bottom photograph.

The following letter arrived from State Representative Mike Tryon.

I am happy to pass it on.

Dear Friend,

Last week the Democrat-controlled House and Senate voted to raise the taxes of McHenry County residents in order to bail out Chicago’s mass transit system, who’s years of mismanagement put them so deep in debt that they’re once again raising taxes just to maintain the status quo.

The Democrat’s legislation will impose a $500 million tax increase including a quarter point sales tax increase in suburban Cook County and a half point sales tax increase in the collar counties.

This raises the per capita sales tax in Chicago by $20 to $100 for a family of five.

In McHenry County, it raises the per capita sales tax by $62 to $310 for a family of five.

For McHenry County, this legislation increases our tax burden higher than Chicago’s, with only a small fraction of our residents using a mass transit system.

This tax increase will come with no expansion of services, no additional routes for McHenry County, no decrease in commuting time, and no road or infrastructure improvements in McHenry County.

This is a short-term fix for a mismanaged Chicago transportation system.

The only guarantee this tax increase will bring is another doomsday scenario as this legislation does nothing to address the capital needs of the mass transit system.

The CTA has already stated that without a capital bill to repair aging tracks, trains, wheels, buses and a host of other infrastructure needs, another doomsday is expected.

Additionally, this tax increase promises that seniors will be paying more for essential items like groceries and prescription drugs.

I opposed this sales tax increase along with a number of my House Republican colleagues.

Instead of raising taxes, the Illinois House Republicans believe the best way to increase state revenue is to create jobs and to invest in the economy.

I will continue to call for a capital bill to ensure that funding is provided for crucial road projects, bridge repairs, and school construction in McHenry County and throughout the state.

Sincerely,

Michael W. Tryon
Illinois State Representative
64th District

The following letter arrived from State Representative Mike Tryon.

I am happy to pass it on.

Dear Friend,

Last week the Democrat-controlled House and Senate voted to raise the taxes of McHenry County residents in order to bail out Chicago’s mass transit system, who’s years of mismanagement put them so deep in debt that they’re once again raising taxes just to maintain the status quo.

The Democrat’s legislation will impose a $500 million tax increase including a quarter point sales tax increase in suburban Cook County and a half point sales tax increase in the collar counties.

This raises the per capita sales tax in Chicago by $20 to $100 for a family of five.

In McHenry County, it raises the per capita sales tax by $62 to $310 for a family of five.

For McHenry County, this legislation increases our tax burden higher than Chicago’s, with only a small fraction of our residents using a mass transit system.

This tax increase will come with no expansion of services, no additional routes for McHenry County, no decrease in commuting time, and no road or infrastructure improvements in McHenry County.

This is a short-term fix for a mismanaged Chicago transportation system.

The only guarantee this tax increase will bring is another doomsday scenario as this legislation does nothing to address the capital needs of the mass transit system.

The CTA has already stated that without a capital bill to repair aging tracks, trains, wheels, buses and a host of other infrastructure needs, another doomsday is expected.

Additionally, this tax increase promises that seniors will be paying more for essential items like groceries and prescription drugs.

I opposed this sales tax increase along with a number of my House Republican colleagues.

Instead of raising taxes, the Illinois House Republicans believe the best way to increase state revenue is to create jobs and to invest in the economy.

I will continue to call for a capital bill to ensure that funding is provided for crucial road projects, bridge repairs, and school construction in McHenry County and throughout the state.

Sincerely,

Michael W. Tryon
Illinois State Representative
64th District

A friend of McHenry County Blog has been wondering for months why there is a For Sale sign beside Oak Ridge Alternative School.

So, when I talked with District 300 School Board President Joe Stevens at the annual Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Christmas party at the Brubaker household, I asked him about it.

It’s a big district, so any relatively new school board member can be excused for not knowing all of the nuances.

Stevens didn’t know about the school’s being for sale, but said he would check it out for me.

Here’s what the information his look see revealed:

“There is indeed a for sale sign on the land where the Oak Ridge Alternative School sits and the land is technically for sale.

“It seems that several years ago, long before I was on the BOE, the Board at that time decided to sell the land in hopes of making enough money to purchase the Summit School to move Oak Ridge into it. Oak Ridge as you know, is really several trailers somehow strapped together and at some point will need to be placed in a more permanent structure.

”However, since the idea of selling the land came up, the BOE in place prior to the most recent election, when I was on it, had the opportunity to purchase Summit School and decided not to pursue it.

“We did look at the potential but found that the building would need massive change to meet the current life safety code, Americans with Disabilities laws etc. It became not only cost prohibitive, but likely more expensive to remodel it than to build new. At that time the entire idea of moving Oak Ridge out of their ‘temporary’ home was shelved.

”The BOE however forgot to remove the for sale sign.

“Due to our conversation, it will be discussed at a near future BOE meeting to officially have the sign taken down and the property taken off the market. There has been NO activity on a possible sale at all.

”Mystery solved.”

Summit School is a private school on Route 72 that serves special needs kids.

= = = = =
The picture is of Carpentersville District 300 School Board President Joe Stevens. The building with the For Sale sign is Oak Ridge Alternative School.

A friend of McHenry County Blog has been wondering for months why there is a For Sale sign beside Oak Ridge Alternative School.

So, when I talked with District 300 School Board President Joe Stevens at the annual Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Christmas party at the Brubaker household, I asked him about it.

It’s a big district, so any relatively new school board member can be excused for not knowing all of the nuances.

Stevens didn’t know about the school’s being for sale, but said he would check it out for me.

Here’s what the information his look see revealed:

“There is indeed a for sale sign on the land where the Oak Ridge Alternative School sits and the land is technically for sale.

“It seems that several years ago, long before I was on the BOE, the Board at that time decided to sell the land in hopes of making enough money to purchase the Summit School to move Oak Ridge into it. Oak Ridge as you know, is really several trailers somehow strapped together and at some point will need to be placed in a more permanent structure.

”However, since the idea of selling the land came up, the BOE in place prior to the most recent election, when I was on it, had the opportunity to purchase Summit School and decided not to pursue it.

“We did look at the potential but found that the building would need massive change to meet the current life safety code, Americans with Disabilities laws etc. It became not only cost prohibitive, but likely more expensive to remodel it than to build new. At that time the entire idea of moving Oak Ridge out of their ‘temporary’ home was shelved.

”The BOE however forgot to remove the for sale sign.

“Due to our conversation, it will be discussed at a near future BOE meeting to officially have the sign taken down and the property taken off the market. There has been NO activity on a possible sale at all.

”Mystery solved.”

Summit School is a private school on Route 72 that serves special needs kids.

= = = = =
The picture is of Carpentersville District 300 School Board President Joe Stevens. The building with the For Sale sign is Oak Ridge Alternative School.