Kaneland school district 302 held a board meeting on Monday, February 24. One of the more important things that was discussed, and voted on, was the approval for submission of a waiver. The waiver, being sent to the Illinois State Board of Education, is to waive the administrative cost cap over-spend.

    For the 2013 budget cycle, the money spent was a little over $650,000. The limitation in administrative expenditures each year is five percent over the prior year’s expenditures. After the auditor completed the Annual Financial Report, he found that Kaneland is about $13,000 over the limit or at seven percent. Kaneland school district spent more than they are allowed on expenditures.

Illinois School Code section 5/7-1.5 looks at three parts of the administration: Executive Administrative Services, Special Area Administration (pertaining mostly to Special Ed), and Business Services. Adjusted contracts in these three areas are what lead to the seven percent increase.

“The board made good decisions when it came to the contract adjustments,” school superintendent Dr. Jeff Schuler said.

An adjusted contract can mean anything from additional work days to a raise in pay. Although that is the main reason for the over-spend, Schuler does not think that the situation is as bad as it may seem.

“This 5 percent cost cap doesn’t mean that you cannot exceed it, as long as it is for a valid reason. This just means that we must apply for the waiver,” Schuler said.

Without this waiver, the state could potentially penalize the school district. After much debate, the motion carried 6-1, submitting the wavier to the state.

While the waiver being submitted may be a relief, not everyone on the board was happy with the turnout.

“We don’t seem to understand what a ‘cap’ means. We cannot keep spending like this; it’s irresponsible,” board member Tony Valente said.

    Kaneland has also received an exceedingly generous donation from Mr. and Mrs. Dean and Kim Goodenough and family of Maple Park. The family has donated $20,000 to be used toward the Healing Field of Flags event on Memorial Day weekend, if no flags are sold, no money will be lost.