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Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016
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Cutting remarks Hall looks at a deficit reduction plan and ways to increase revenue By Becky K ramer news@bcrnews.com
SPRING VALLEY — The Hall High School Board will be facing some difficult financial decisions. Superintendent Mike Struna presented a list of possible reductions and some ways to increase revenue. Struna said, “The goal of the deficit reduction plan is to cut $400,000 from the budget for next
year in order to replace the $400,000 deficit we will most likely suffer this year.” One possible reduction would be to replace four and one-half retiring teachers with three teachers for a total savings of $248,000. Other reductions expected to be looked at next month include cutting the athletic supply budget by $2,000; reducing supplies, repairs
and maintenance in the technology budget for a savings of $6,000; and reducing the supply budget by $5,000 by reducing copy paper, office supplies, classroom supplies and textbooks. In addition, the number of students enrolling in the Area Career Center could be reduced from 30 to 28 for a savings of $5,000, plus administration and board of education travel expenses may
be reduced by $2,000. In an effort to raise revenue, the board will face the difficult decision as to whether or not to raise textbook fees by $20 for an additional $4,000 and to raise the participation fee by $50 for a revenue increase of $15,000. Also on the table is raising the extracurricular participation fee. Currently students pay $150 for the first sport, $150 for the second sport with
the third sport having no fee. There is a family cap of $400. The proposed increase would have students pay $200 for the first sport, $200 for the second sport with the third sport being free. There would be no family cap. Board Member Betsy Sobin is concerned there is no family cap, and this increase would be a deterrent for some students to participate,
since participation fees are not waived for low income students. If the board approves all of the reductions as well as the revenue increases at next month’s board meeting, the board will be able to reduce the deficit by $307,000. Struna said, “Although it is difficult to cut spending for the fourth consecutive year, and raise fees
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At a safe distance Illinois Rep. Andy Skoog discusses registered sex offender restrictions By E ric E ngel eengel@bcrnews.com
Editor’s note: This is the third story in a threepart series regarding sex offenders and the ongoing need to protect children. PRINCETON — Illinois State Rep. Andy Skoog (D-76th) commented on the current laws surrounding registered sex offenders and the residency restriction limits they must follow as a way to cement community safety. Current Illinois legislation states a registered sex offender must remain at least 500 feet from a school, nursery, playground or essentially any place where adolescent activity might take place. Skoog agrees with the notion increasing the restriction limits would result in greater public safety and mental reassurance for concerned citizens. “I think that anytime we can find an opportunity to keep convicted sexual predators as far away from our children as possible, we should take it,” Skoog said, adding a child
Skoog Page 4 Year 170 No. 25 One Section - 20 Pages
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BCR photo/Goldie Rapp
PROMise Dress Sale event coordinator Amy Thompson (left) and volunteer Rebecca Wilson stand among the 500 dresses that will be on sale during the fourth annual PROMise dress sale, which kicks off Saturday, March 5, at the First United Methodist Church in Princeton.
PROM-ising a special event Annual dress sale brings the effort full circle By Goldie Rapp grapp@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Women from all over the county and beyond plan to flock to the fourth annual PROMise dress sale which kicks off Saturday, March 5. This year’s sale will
showcase nearly 500 new or pre-worn dresses, which will be priced at $50 or less. While the sale is geared toward prom, the shopping event offers dresses of all kinds that would fit all sorts of events including homecoming, eighthgrade dances, weddings,
graduations and much more. Aside from dresses, shoes, jewelry, purses, gloves and more will be available for sale. Dress sizes range from children’s sizes to women’s plus sizes. Four years ago, event coordinator Amy Thompson started-up the PROM-
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ise dress sale as a way to give women a break when it comes to dress shopping. Her thought was why not offer ladies an opportunity to shop for their special event without worrying about spending a lot of money on a dress that might only be worn one evening. Through the years, Thompson’s efforts have turned into a one-of-kind
sale that not only supports young women, but also carries on to benefiting community organizations and the work they support. Thompson describes it as a full circle effect. The circle starts when a dress is donated to the sale. From there, the dress is bought by someone who might not have
PROMise Page 4