January 28, 2010 -- Following the recommendation of the Finance and Audit Committee, a volunteer group made up of Shaker residents with financial expertise, the Board of Education has taken the first step to seek an operating levy in May 2010.

In a report presented on January 28 to the Board, the committee said: “After reviewing the District’s current financial position, cost-containment measures, and five-year forecast, as well as state and federal funding factors, the Committee concluded that new local revenue is needed to avoid layoffs and program reductions that would threaten the stability and quality of the schools and thus the marketability of Shaker homes.”

The Committee commended the District for efforts to reduce costs in salaries, benefits, and operations. These include:

• Salary freezes for teachers and for administrators and other non-bargaining employees
• Increased employee contributions toward insurance costs
• Reductions in staff positions, overtime, and substitutes
• Use of purchasing cooperatives for energy, insurance, school buses, and supplies
• Improvements in bond ratings, reducing borrowing costs

Read the full report

The Board approved a "resolution of necessity," the first of two steps required to place a levy onthe ballot. The second resolution will be considered at the February 9 regular meeting of the Board.

In moving to approve the resolution of necessity, Board Vice President Annette Tucker Sutherland said, "We have studied financial spreadsheets and budget projections and choices.  We have frozen employee wages. We have benchmarked District salaries and costs against other districts.  We have reluctantly concluded that it would jeopardize our educational programs to wait any longer to seek additional operating funds."

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