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Press Publications Friday, December 21, 2012 LBS
Opinions YOUR OFFICIALS VILLAGE OF LOMBARD
J. Tom Shaw, publisher jtshaw@shawmedia.com 630-427-6210
Dave Lemery, managing editor dlemery@shawmedia.com 630-427-6250
Jerry Moore, opinions editor jmoore@shawmedia.com 630-427-6256
COMMUNITY VOICE
T H U M B S U P/ T H U M B S D O W N
District 87 taking steps to ensure financial stability
Acting Village President Peter Breen 630-403-5963
Village Manager David A. Hulseberg 630-620-5756
Village Clerk Brigitte O’Brien 630-620-5913
VILLAGE OF ELMHURST
Acting Mayor Scott Levin 630-530-3010
City Manager James Grabowski 630-530-3010
City Clerk Patty Spencer 630-941-7233
VILLAGE OF ADDISON
Mayor Larry Hartwig 630-693-7502
Village Manager Joseph Block 630-693-7503
Village Clerk Lucille Zucchero 630-693-7501
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Join the community discussion at mysuburbanlife.com/lombard
Tango the white cockatiel was reunited with Kim and Frank Alonso after escaping from his cage Thanksgiving morning. John Cox - jcox@shawmedia.com
Thumbs Up — Lombard residents Kim and Frank Alonso discovered the true meaning of Thanksgiving a few days late this year. The couple, both 2006 graduates of York Community High School in Elmhurst, moved to Lombard in April 2011. Their white cockatiel, named Tango, is the couple’s first pet together and Frank’s first pet ever. But Tango escaped Thanksgiving morning, and Kim and Frank Alonso thought they had lost him forever. A woman found the bird and nursed him back to health, and Tango was reunited with the Alonsos a few days later. Thumbs Up — On Dec. 7, Lombard firefighters visited Madison and Hammerschmidt schools to collect toy donations from the students. The toys that students donated will supplement the ones collected during the 12th annual toy parade, held Dec. 8. Fire vehicles and firefighters proceeded from Main Street and St. Charles Road south to Glenbard East High School. Along the route, they collected toy donations from the parade’s spectators. Throughout the past several weeks, drop-off boxes have been located at both of the village’s fire stations, and all items collected will be donated to the children of families who visit the Lombard/Villa Park Food Pantry. Have any Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down ideas? Send them to opinions@mysuburbanlife.com.
LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULTS
THIS WEEK’S POLL
How has the rate increase by the Illinois Tollway impacted you over the past year?
How often to you go to a movie theater during the year?
>> Take side streets rather than the tollway 57% >> Have absorbed higher expenses 31% >> Can use tollways when I can afford it 11% >>Now using public transportation 1% 141 respondents
>> One to 10 times >> 10 to 20 times >> More than 20 times >> I don’t go to movie theaters
Vote at mysuburbanlife.com
The recent news of the various pension reform proposals being presented in Springfield reminds me of the importance of fiscal stability within a public sector organization. Just what are the fiscal practices and actions of a public-funded institution that result in balanced budgets and solvent position, despite the challenging fiscal climate? When confronting a revenue shortfall or sudden increases in expenses, how do some public sector organizations experience duress and “meltdown” while others are buoyant and able to navigate through the financial challenges? As the new superintendent, its clear to me that Glenbard Township High School District 87 and its feeder districts have enacted key fiscally responsible David Larson habits to ensure a position of stability. These “habits of fiscally responsible public school districts” include: ■ Minimize administrative costs: The first hallmark of fiscal responsibility starts with the central office functions. District offices clearly are doing more with less staff by leveraging technology and streamlining processes; in other words, increasing operating efficiencies and optimizing resources wherever possible. ■ Drive cost savings from outsourcing noninstructional services: Glenbard and its feeder districts run a broad range of necessary noninstructional services, such as janitorial, food service, security services and transportation. These services have been competitively bid and operate effectively and efficiently, providing more dollars to classroom instruction. ■ Financial reviews/financial projections - due diligence: Each month, District 87 reviews financial performance in committee. Variances are reviewed and explained. The district also prepares five-year financial projections to ensure that the future financial outlook is favorable. If deficits are projected, actions are taken early to reduce costs, as necessary, to ensure that this situation does not occur. ■ Enacting an energy management program: Each school district implements key energy costsaving strategies, which includes using energy management systems, staff focus and locking in favorable energy rates. ■ Leverage community partnerships: Each district has numerous intergovernmental agreements that leverage the use of key facilities and venues and provide measurable cost savings. These include gyms, pools, athletic fields and performance venues. This sharing allows for optimal use of the venues and increases programming. Yes, good stewardship and fiscal stability within any organization takes careful planning, focus and the discipline to follow key habits and practices. I am impressed with Glenbard districts and their commitment to fiscal solvency by following these key habits. David F. Larson is superintendent of Glenbard Township High School District 87