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Fe br ua r y 26 , 2015 • $1 . 0 0
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Indian Creek tops Hinckley-Big Rock in semifinal matchup, 57-43 / B1 HIGH
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D-427 OKs cuts to staff, classes Drop in state aid prompts $3.8M in budget reductions over 3 years By ADAM POULISSE apoulisse@shawmedia.com SYCAMORE – Tammy Waymire’s son is a fourth-grader at South Prairie Elementary School who has an individual education plan and has received extra help to excel in his classwork. So after the District 427 School Board on Wednesday approved $3.8 million in cuts across three years that includes layoffs or class reductions in several areas across the Sycamore-based district,
academic year, and deplete its total fund balance by the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018. It’s all according to next year’s enrollment, however, Superintendent Kathy Countryman said. The layoffs do include a contingency plan, which states faculty can be called back to fill their previous position or a similar one if there’s a demand. As of now, the plan calls for reducing 26 teachers’ aides and other education support workers, realigning schedules to eliminate 3.2 non-core po-
including special education, English language learners and electives such as art beginning this fall, Waymire walked out. “I couldn’t take it anymore,” Waymire said Wednesday. “It was hard to even listen to.” The budget reductions will be phased in over the next three school years – $1.6 million worth of cuts beginning July 1, $1.5 million for next fiscal year, and $700,000 for the third – is intended to halt the district’s projected financial nosedive, in which it is expected to run out of its cash-on-hand fund next
sitions such as art, music and technology, realigning English language learner classrooms to eliminate all but three of those positions, and trimming other classes as student interest for classes dictate, but that information won’t be available until April, Countryman said. The cuts, since they are based on student enrollment and interest in classes, do not specify what classes will or won’t be offered, Countryman said. If demand is high for one class, then teachers will fill that role, which could mean re-
hiring them. But a poorly attended class could result in that class being cut, Countryman said. “It’s not specific to electives; it’s across the whole gamut,” she said. Although personnel actions will be taken at the March 10 board meeting for next school year, teachers who are facing layoffs already know because the contract with the teachers’ union dictates they will be based on seniority, Countryman said. Meetings will be held to reassess staffing needs for
future school years. The district’s current predicament can be attributed to prorated state aid payments, which have dwindled from 100 percent of funding being received to about 85 or 90 percent, according to Nicole Stuckert, the district’s director of financial services. “There’s also declining property values, as there is everywhere in the state,” she said. “That’s not special to Sycamore. There’s also declining
See D-427, page A3
Rauner: Deal on budget close Cullerton: 2 sides ‘nowhere near’ By KERRY LESTER The Associated Press SPRINGFIELD – New Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner denied Wednesday that he and Democratic legislative leaders have hit a roadblock in negotiations over whether to give him more authority to patch a multibillion-dollar hole in this year’s budget. Following a meeting with Cabinet members, he expressed confidence that an agreement is just “days away.” But on Tuesday, Rikeesha Phelon, a spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton, said the two sides are “nowhere near a deal” and instead seem to be engaging in “a high-profile game of chicken.” Rauner wants to move money from what he calls “nonessential” areas into critical state programs that have shortfalls, such as prisons and the child care program, which needs $300 million to operate through June. A fund for court reporters is expected to run out of cash next month. The idea of giving the governor more authority isn’t new. Lawmakers gave Rauner’s predecessor, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, expanded authority the first two years of his first term. But while Republicans decried the move at the time, Democrats had the advantage of controlling both the General Assembly and the governor’s office. Now, Democratic leaders, particularly Cullerton, are showing less incentive to grant the governor’s wishes, with both sides saying the other’s inaction is putting vulnerable residents at risk. Although the new divided government has created a far different dynamic, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan also said last week he thought a deal might be imminent. But his spokesman acknowledged Tuesday that while
See BUDGET, page A4
Photos by Monica Synett – msynett@shawmedia.com
Four-year-old chocolate Labrador Mabel is reunited Tuesday with her owner Alysia Schmerbach (left) and Schmerbach’s mother, Tina Berg, in front of her home on Ninth Street in DeKalb. Mabel was missing overnight Monday and was found Tuesday morning by Amanda Welsand on Seventh Street.
Keeping pets homeward bound DeKalb family reunited with lost dog; county mostly sees abandoned animals By ADAM POULISSE
Berres said. “People in rental situations going to college had dogs, then at the end of the sen A double set of doors that remain closed are harder for dogs to mester, we’d have a very big escape. spike in stray dogs. I think the landlords have been working n Make sure the collar fits snug around your dog so it doesn’t go hard, and that’s decreased missing. quite a bit.” n Microchip implants are an easy way to always ensure your Miscommunication among dog can be traced back to you – if you remember to update your family members about who let information if you change addresses. Mabel back in the Southeast n Make sure their vaccinations are up to date. DeKalb home Monday evening left the pooch roaming their Lost a pet? Found a pet? neighborhood around Seventh Street in DeKalb until Amanda Call DeKalb County Animal Control, 815-758-6673. Welsand of Ninth Street found Mabel in her yard around 4:30 Voicing your opinion a.m. Tuesday morning. She housed her until she came back Have you ever lost your pet? Vote online at Daily-Chronicle.com. home from work Tuesday. Schmerbach had already cent reclaim rate, he said. advances have made reuniting called several local pet agencies, including Malta VeteriBut the number of missing pets and owners easier. pets has dropped, thanks to “We have actually seen the nary Hospital, TAILS Humane stricter rules enforced by city numbers diminish, especially Society and DeKalb County Anlandlords, and technological from the college population,” imal Control, which took Ma-
Protecting your pooch
apoulisse@shawmedia.com DeKALB – She had only been missing overnight, but when Mabel was reunited with the Schmerbach family, it brought on tears. And slobber. And a wagging tail. And lots and lots of belly rubs. “Obviously I didn’t give birth to her, but she’s like one of my kids,” Alysia Schmerbach said after DeKalb County Animal Control reunited her with Mabel, the 4-year-old chocolate Labrador the family of five has cared for since the dog was 6 weeks old. Mabel isn’t alone in scurrying out of the house. Last year, Animal Control picked up 225 animals, mostly dogs, Animal Warden Dan Berres said. There’s traditionally a 75 per-
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bel from Welsand’s place back to her home with the Schmerbachs. When she was lost, Mabel was wearing her hunting collar, which doesn’t hold her usual information tag. When Animal Control opened the back of their wagon, and revealed Mabel inside a crate, it was a doggone emotionally happy reunion. “I didn’t want to get my hopes up that it wasn’t her,” Schmerbach said. Animal Control, which operates in tandem with Malta Veterinary Clinic, charges $80 and includes a mandatory $25 spay or neuter fee, plus $17.50 a day for boarding fees for up to seven days for people claiming lost pets. After seven days, the
Obituaries .........................A4 Opinion...............................A5 Puzzles ............................... C3 Sports..............................B1-4 State ...................................A4 Weather .............................A6
See DOGS, page A4