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BIG CLEATS TO FILL FOR LATEST ACE PREP BASEBALL, B1
LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT, A9-10, 12
dailyGAZETTE Thursday, March 27, 2014
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
STERLING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Cuts for fiscal year 2015 proposed Two special ed teachers let go BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570
STERLING – Sterling Public Schools Superintendent Tad Everett presented a list of proposed cuts for fiscal year 2015, the third phase in the district’s 3-year initiative to balance its education fund, at Wednesday’s board meeting. The plan was developed in 2012 to address a $1.8 million educa-
tion fund deficit. The original plan was to cut $600,000 in each of the 3 years, but several factors threw that plan off course, Everett said. “Little did we know we would face a recession of this magnitude,” Everett said. “The biggest factor, though, was when the state prorated general state aid. We’ve had $2.3 million less in revenue in the last 2 years.” The state prorated aid at 89 percent in fiscal year 2013, and 88.7
percent for fiscal year 2014. Local EAV also decreased in both those fiscal years, costing the district a total of $101,000. There also has been a $3.4 million loss since 2010 in the employee benefit plan. The proposed cuts for the third year would include the reduction in force of two special education teachers and the loss of 10 additional positions. The board approved the dismissal of the two special education teachers, Carol Ann Cooper and Kelli Cecchetti, at Wednesday’s
meeting. The rest of the positions will be cut through attrition – either retirements or resignations. Some grades are also slated to see a reduction in sections. The two dismissals were the only action taken on the proposed fiscal year 2015 cuts. The proposal also includes savings from taking over the prekindergarten program from Bi-County Special Education Cooperative, and reducing the number of students who attend the Whiteside Area Career Center.
WHITESIDE COUNTY | UNITED WAY
CUTS CONTINUED ON A4
Superintendent Tad Everett “What we’ve had to do to get here doesn’t feel good.”
ILLINOIS | BUDGET ADDRESS
Taking a permanent tax hike? Quinn paints dark future for schools, proposes solution
Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Russ Siefken, executive director of United Way of Whiteside County, offers some parting words about the organization and the number of people who have benefitted from the hard work of the volunteers and the generosity of citizens. Siefken spoke during the organization’s recognition lunch Wednesday at Bethel Reformed Church in Sterling.
Give ‘n’ goal: chapter hits mark Agency thanks community, hands out awards at luncheon BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570
STERLING – “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” The hundreds of campaign volunteers who attended the United Way of Whiteside County recognition lunch Wednesday were left with that famous quote from Sir Winston Churchill. They also were left with the satisfaction of knowing that United Way had surpassed its 2013 fundraising target. Pledges and donations came to $735,655, topping the county’s goal of $730,000, United Way Executive Director Russ Siefken told the crowd at Bethel Reformed Church. Whiteside United Way funds 33 programs in 19 partner agencies. The torch will later be passed from 2013 campaign co-chairs Patrice Vary and Mary Ellen Wilkinson. Jeff Detra of Sauk Valley Bank is president of the United Way Board of Directors. The new target for 2014 will be set in June, Siefken said. Several individual and group awards were presented during the luncheon. GOAL CONTINUED ON A5
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SPRINGFIELD (AP) – Gov. Pat Quinn outlined his case Wednesday for making Illinois’ temporary income tax increase permanent, predicting “extreme and radical” budget cuts to schools and services without additional revenue. The Chicago Democrat – embarking on what’s expected to be a tough re-election bid against Republican businessman Bruce Rauner – tied the idea to relief for homeowners, saying he’d like to guarantee every Illinoisan who pays property tax a $500 annual refund. He also called for increasing the earned income tax credit for low-income families. “If action is not taken to stabilize our revenue code, extreme and radical cuts will be imposed on education and critical public services,” he said in the roughly 30-minute address before lawmakers. “Cuts that will starve our schools and result in mass teacher layoffs, larger class sizes and higher property taxes.” HIKE CONTINUED ON A4
Local reaction Four local lawmakers weigh in on Quinn’s budget address, A2.
Mary Ellen Wilkinson (center) hands out the Spirit Award to the Girl Scouts. The scouts have opened a service center on First Avenue in Rock Falls where girls can get information about the organization and shop for scouting merchandise.
BUSINESS ......... A14 COMICS ............. A11 CROSSWORD....B13
DEAR ABBY ......... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2 OBITUARIES ........ A4
OPINION .............. A6 PLAN!T ................. A9 SPORTS ...............B1
AP
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn delivers his annual budget address Wednesday to a joint session of the General Assembly at the state Capitol in Springfield.
Today’s weather High 51. Low 32. More on A3.
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