Illinois schools could face cuts,fees

HUTSONVILLE, Ill. (WTHI) - Major budget problems in Illinois threaten to force local schools to make big cuts across the board. This year public schools in Illinois will receive almost five percent less funds from the state than last year.

But, it could be even less money next year, forcing some schools to make some tough decisions.
    
Three o’clock, the end of the day at the Hutsonville school district. It’s just like any other day. But these days are anything but ordinary for schools districts across the state.

"Right now the biggest issue that Illinois schools are suffering, or going through, is the fact that over the last few years we continue to get a decrease in revenue from the state,” Hutsonville School District Superintendent Julie Kraemer said.
    
Kraemer says this year Hutsonville only received 89 percent of their normal funding for their budget from the state and next year looks to be even less.

"Looking at right now having a $400,000 loss and I’m looking at trying to $350,000 in cuts next year,” she said.
   
They are planning to close the gap with possible cuts to staff, sports teams, and several education programs.

But, its not just cuts that Hutsonville may have to make to shrink their budget. They may have to do something they've never done before in the history of their school, and that's charge fees for things like Lab activities, athletics, extra-curricular and Driver’s Ed.

"We are gonna have to charge and try to help and cover some of the costs so we can continue to offer as much as possible to our students,” Kraemer explained.
    
It might shock you to know that in the Wabash Valley Hutsonville is actually in better shape than most. But that doesn't make their budget woes any easier and they say Springfield is to blame.

"We've got an expenditure problem at the state level,” Kraemer said, “They have got to get it under control and it cant continue to be at the cost of education."
    
Until then they'll continue looking for ways to give their students a bright future, even with a cloudy present.
   
The Hutsonville school district said they do have savings in the bank for situations, but that it can't cover lost revenue year after year.