Anyone live in Elwood district

I was wondering if anyone know whats going on with next years budget? I see they want to raise taxes 9%? My SIL did not make the meeting but says the district financially is doing very bad. I guess no full day kindergarten again but they get to keep sports--how fair is that!

Re: Anyone live in Elwood district

I have family that lives in Elwood and are retired from the school district.

Yes, because of the size of the district and lack of commercial real estate the burden for budget increases falls on the individual homeowner. There are a lot of mandated programs/costs that are increasing a great deal. At this point, under the 2% tax cap, the district is just not sustainable. There will be unbelievable cuts next year... kindergarten is NOT state mandated so districts can cut back to 1/2 day and completely eliminate it (highly unlikely but possible) if all other avenues have been exhausted.

As for sports, high school parents show up to Board meetings in high numbers... high school sports=college scholarships for their children so I strongly urge every elem. ed parent in every district across LI to attend Board meetings. Trust me when I say, several districts will be in the same trouble as Elwood next year and many more the following year.

Last spring, the district sent a letter to all of the surrounding districts inquiring about a possible merger, none of them were interested. Legally, the districts' boundaries must touch in order for a merger to take place.

We are in unprecedented economic times and public education is on the chopping block

Re: Anyone live in Elwood district

One of my friend's DH is on the Board. I will ask her this week.

What specific do you want to know?

We were looking at houses in that district but even her knows how bad it is. She told me next year is NOT good.