“We need to do what we need to do to meet our contractual obligations” – Superintendent Wise – 10/26/21

Months before the district informed our community of the financial state of CCSD 66 and voted to approve the June Referendum, the administration and BOE were discussing the need to make budget cuts.

Back in October of 2021, Dr. Wise recommended approving budget cuts in March 2022. Instead, the BOE waited until August 2022, after the June referendum failed. This created the perception that those who exercised their right to vote “No”, were responsible for the painful cuts inflicted on students and families in the district. This is simply FALSE.

Painful Cuts vs Impactful Reductions

Is the Updated Residency Policy Fair?

Non residents of the district must pay $14,427 per child in annual tuition costs if they do not fall under an ISBE approved waiver. However, in a Policy approved by the BOE in August 2022, non-resident certified staff members may bring their children to school for at a cost of $1,000 per child – 1/14th of the true cost of to educate each student.

While this is a generous benefit to offer staff under other circumstances, if the district collected the full amount for just 6 students, the cost of the extracurricular activities for ALL students would be nearly covered.