In late January, the Kaneland Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the 2025-26 budget reduction plan in response to a projected $4.2 million deficit for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
This plan includes staff and program cuts, capital and operational spending reductions and other cost-saving measures aimed at stabilizing the district’s finances.
“I don’t want to cut anything we’re doing, but realistically we do not have the resources to fund everything,” board member Dr. Aaron Lawler said.
The deficit stems from an imbalance between revenue and expenditures in the district, driven by multiple factors, including rising costs in transportation, energy and operations, as well as additional revenue and funding challenges.
“Especially over the last few years, the district has been spending more than it takes in,” Assistant Superintendent for Business/CSBO Dr. Jackie Bogan said. “If we continue to do that, that’s where the structural deficit is coming from.”
The budget planning process began with making operational adjustments, including cuts to capital expenditures, a 10% reduction in building level allocations and more. However, since staffing remains the district’s largest expenditure, staff reductions became necessary.
“It’s unbelievably difficult when we’re talking about staffing and programming that has a direct impact on students,” Bogan said. “We know [reductions] can’t come from one specific area because the deficit wasn’t created by just one thing.”
As part of the plan, the district will reduce 32.28 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions across its seven schools. At the high school, this includes eliminating one multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) interventionist, two counselor positions and one food service worker.
For some students, the reduction in counseling services is concerning. Senior Alexis VanDerVoorn expressed disappointment about the cuts, noting that while she graduates this year, she hopes that younger students can still receive the same support and opportunities she did.
“[Counselors’] caseloads are going to grow, and it’s going to be really different,” VanDerVoorn said. “I feel like students won’t get the support they need. The number one priority should be the students and their future.”
In making these cuts, the administration aimed to distribute reductions evenly across the district while minimizing the impact on students. Bogan explained that they focused on spreading the cuts across staffing and programs, working within their financial constraints to maintain programs without eliminating them entirely.
“We need to change the financial health and trajectory of the district and fix that pattern and spending,” Bogan said. “It took us a long time to get here, so we’re not going to be able to change it overnight.”
The Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy (KIPLA) is also being relocated to John Shields Elementary School and Harter Middle School. Currently housed in the Kaneland Meredith Academic Center (KMAC), the move will reduce costs by eliminating the need for separate administrative and support staff and facility expenses.
“Where we have more student and parent impact, like KIPLA, we’re going to continue to reach out and keep them informed,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kurt Rohlwing said. “For each of those areas, we’re developing a communication and feedback plan and will meet with each team throughout the spring to discuss what this will look like now.”
With many community members upset by the significant cuts, the Kaneland Education Association (KEA) also voiced concerns, emphasizing the need for better communication and collaboration on budget decisions. Math teacher and KEA Vice President Daniel Ponczek said he wished the KEA had been involved earlier in this process to explore alternatives and minimize cuts.
“We could have brought up some ideas that we had that they might have overlooked,” Ponczek said. “We hope that moving forward we can have more communication there, so we can support each other on decisions [the district] is making.”
Lawler agreed, and moving forward, he wants stakeholders like the KEA to be involved in budgeting. Ponczek also acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to the reductions, particularly in the math department.
“If the full proposed cuts go through, I think it’s going to be tough on our end to adjust,” Ponczek said. “I’ve seen a lot of success using MTSS, but if we do at the end of the day have to make those cuts, we’ll have to make it work.”
All staff members affected by these reductions will receive an honorable dismissal with potential recall rights.
“Administration will be meeting with all affected teachers and discussing whether they have recall rights and helping with job placements,” Director of Human Resources Dr. Chris Adkins said.
Rohlwing emphasized his vision for the district’s future, acknowledging the current financial struggles.
“My vision is that we are able to walk away from this in a stronger position and make long-term financial decisions that will help us not only provide a great experience for students but will help us have a safety net in the future,” Rohlwing said.
