Despite declining state revenue, the Collinsville School District improved its economic health in fiscal year 2013, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.
Select Metro East school districts financial health report rankings for fiscal year 2013 / Image by Roger Starkey
Unit 10 received a Financial Profile score of 3.55 from ISBE for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013. The score moved the district into the “Financial Recognition” category, the highest possible in 2013, up from a 3.45 and “Financial Review” the prior year.
Average scores statewide fell from 3.54 to 3.52. The number of districts in the Financial Recognition category dropped by two to 560, or 65 percent of the state’s 862 districts, according to ISBE.
Some scores at of other area schools include O’Fallon Township high school district at 3.70, East St. Louis District 189 at 3.50, Belleville Township, High School District 201 at 3.25, Alton CUSD 11 at 2.55 and Edwardsville CUSD 7 at 2.00.
The primary reason for the districts performance, Unit 10 Director of Business Affairs Uta Robison said, is the cash fund. “The School Board has been very conservative and not dipped into the fund to pay the regular bills.”
The district managed to improve their economic health despite a cut in funding for state elementary and secondary education of nearly $1 billion from 2009 through 2012. The financial health rating has come at a cost, Superintendent Bob Green said.
“Public schools are going through a very difficult time financially,” Green said. “I can tell you that in Collinsville, if we cut anymore, it’s going to cut muscle – will cut into instruction.”
Green said he hopes relief comes soon, because he is not sure how much longer the district will be able maintain its current level. “The other thing to look at is extra-curricular activities, and that won’t be pleasant.”
School Board President Garry Peccola said the board, administration and district employees have worked very hard to make the most of taxpayer’s money.
“We (the School Board) couldn’t have done it without the districts employees. They have been very cooperative during negotiations,” Peccola said. “They know we can’t give them raises like we have in the past.”
“Historically, Illinois’ State General Funds budget has dedicated about 27 percent to K-12 education. As part of their budget request, the Board is also asking that lawmakers honor the General State Aid (GSA) Foundation Level commitment of $6,119 per student. School districts have not received the full share of GSA promised to them under state law for the past three years,” a statement from ISBE indicated.
A district is categorized based on its Annual Financial Report from Fiscal Year 2013, which ended June 30. The rating is created by using five indicators of financial performance: fund balance to revenue ratio, expenditures to revenue ratio, days cash on hand, percent of short-term borrowing available and percent of long-term debt remaining.
