The Fieldcrest Board of Education received a financial report card from the auditor of the
school's books Monday night in a regular board meeting at Wenona. Luckily for the school board,
they don't have to take their report card home to their parents because the district flunked in most
categories. The most astounding figure revealed was the cost of educating Fieldcrest's students.
The average cost per student for the school district's 1200 students was $7618 per student. The
average cost for other schools in the area is between $5700 to $6000 per student. This would imply that
the school district is spending almost $2,000,000 more to educate its students each year than other
schools of a comparable size.
Other figures released showed that the district had a deficit balance of $971,000 at the end
of the fiscal year, June 30, 2003. The building fund had a deficit balance of $376,000 while the
transportation fund had a positive balance of $47,000. To add to the grim news, the auditor said that
farm property values will continue to decline for a few more years resulting in a further decrease
in the property tax valuation. Property tax valuation declined from $99,931,000 in 2001 to
$98,085,000 in 2002. In addition, the school district was in the bottom quartile when ranking
schools based on their Estimated Financial Profile Summary. Fieldcrest had a score of 1.95 out
of a possible 4.0.
In summary, the audit report indicated that the school's overall financial strength was not very
good at the end of last June. Also, no additional money is expected from the state to bail out
financially stressed school districts.
On a positive note, Fieldcrest Supertintendent Dr. Michael Stagliano said that he has received
word that the state may possibly accelerate its last two payments to the district. Stagliano indicated
that this means that the district may have to borrow only $500,000 through tax anticipation warrants
rather than the originally estimated $1,000,000 in order to meet the school's financial obligations
by the end of the year.
Other news
The Board of Education recognized the efforts of the Fieldcrest East and West basketball teams
for their advancement to the state tournament this year. Fieldcrest East placed second in the Boys 8A
state championship game.
The school accepted a check from the City of Wenona for $20,000 to be applied to the school's
capital fund at Fieldcrest East. The payment was from the Wenona TIF district which restricts
payments to areas within the TIF district.
Nancy Turner, President of the Fieldcrest Education Association, invited members of the school
board to a luncheon at Capponi's in Toluca on March 8 to discuss plans for the upcoming teacher
contract negotiations. Turner told the board that the association would like to start negotiations
on either March 24 or April 6.
Fieldcrest East Principal John DiMascio said that over 8,000 attended the boys 8A state tournament
at Fieldcrest East. DiMascio said that 1568 tickets were sold for the final game.
Fieldcrest Elementary South received a $5600 grant from the Ronald McDonald Program through
teacher Barb Baumann. The money is to be used to purchase a laptop computer for the school.
The board approved the purchase of a tailgate lift for $1595. The money will come out of the
transportation fund.
