Summer has started with the sound of thunder. The rains may keep us from mowing sometimes, but we are cleaning and repairing the buildings in preparation for the students in the fall. Our part is being done. Unfortunately, for Illinois, Governor Quinn, Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, and Senate President John Cullerton have not done theirs.
Forgive me for the frustration that this article will contain, but these three men have run a race to financial ruin for our State. Rather than make the difficult decisions about where to trim the budget, those in charge in Springfield have borrowed money in an effort to expand the government. Yes, it gets them votes, but it may bankrupt the State.
As our District begins negotiations with the teachers for a new collective bargaining agreement, we have no idea how much General State Aid we will receive from the State in the coming year. Sixty-five percent of our revenue is in GSA. Lately, they promise one total on which we build our budget, and then reduce the amount later. For fiscal year 2010, the State owes the District $456,004.96. We may receive a portion of this money by the close of the month. Some we may receive by August. The rest we may not get at all. The Comptroller of Illinois says that the backlog of bills has reach $4 billion.
Enough grumbling. The best part of the school year is when the students are in the classrooms. We will do all we can to make their time with us a wonderful experience. See you in the fall.
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The Pioneer Way 
