UPDATE: Batavia Parents Still Upset Over Classroom Changes

Editor's note: This story has been updated from the initial post on Tuesday night. All the text after Sue Sokolinski's quote is new to this Wednesday morning edition.

Parents and teachers on Tuesday filled the Batavia Public Schools district office to speak again on changes prompted by a budget shortfall and student enrollment.

Alice Gustafson teacher Sue Sokolinski and three parents spoke during the Batavia School Board's monthly summer meeting. Board members Tuesday evening also reviewed a tentative 2011-12 district budget.

Residents are concerned about classroom sizes, namely an increase of two students per grade level. Fourth graders will be taught in two sections this year instead of three at Alice Gustafson Elementary School.

The districtwide half-day kindergarten program will also be cut back in art, music and physical education.

District officials have recommended the changes in order to curb a $5 million deficit in the 2011-12 budget. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the school district office, 335 W. Wilson St.

“Every class of children presents itself with needs, however the group of incoming fourth graders at Alice Gustafson presents itself with some exceptional needs," said Sue Sokolinski, an Alice Gustafson third-grade teacher. "We hope you understand the concern among all members of staff when we learn these group of children would next year be divided into two very large classrooms."

Some board members asked for specific data on the Gustafson students and their needs. Board Vice President Jack Hinterlong wants to know how many are identified as having special needs and examples of the needs.

"I’m concerned about Alice Gustafson—I’d like to have more data to make a decision on what we’re doing," he said.

Sokolinski made references to students with health issues that require a quick response and others that have academic behavioral challenges.

In order to help the students, Hinterlong suggested cutting the professional development for administrators for a year of two. He argued the money that goes towards that development could be used  to hire another teacher and create a third section of Gustafson fourth graders. 

Batavia Superintendent Jack Barshinger told meeting attendees that their comments are being heard.

“I’ve never seen (school budget reductions) this difficult," Barshinger said. "I appreciate your input—that is your job as a parent, as a teacher, as a union leader. Please don’t stop the advocating."

A Budget in Brief

Here were some of the details on the 2011-12 budget given at the meeting. This information was presented by Kris Monn, the district's assistant superintendent for finance and operations:

• The district budget presentation included real data where possible, except for salaries and one of the final education fund amounts.
• Property taxes make up 82.1 percent of the district's revenue base for operations. "That has been very helpful in the economy, where we’ve seen a decrease in state revenue and unstable cash flows," Monn said.
• Less than 10 percent of the Batavia Public Schools revenue is from the state of Illinois.
• District employees' salaries and benefits account for 76 percent of the operating budget. This includes aides, teachers and administrators.

Room for Thought

Batavia School Board members do not have to vote on the district budget on the same night of the Sept. 13 hearing.

The School Board two years ago held the public budget hearing, then tabled the budget later that night so members could vote on it at a future meeting, Monn said. This year's Board could do the same in September.

A delay on the vote will give board members more time to address any comments that come up at the hearing.

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