THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2008

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Hersey Guitar Program To Play Out Rest of Year

Beginning next year, all guitar classes at John Hersey High School Arlington Hts. will be eliminated, however the school's orchestra program will remain the same.

Additionally, Hersey's orchestra director Bill Baar will head over to Elk Grove High School to teach orchestra full-time, while another teacher will be hired at Hersey to teach orchestra part-time and history part-time.

The board has charged the administration with presenting them with a balanced operating budget while maintaining a fund balance of 30-35%. In order to comply with the charge of the board, the district must reduce expenditures by approximately $2.5 million for next year.

In addition to the cuts, Dr. Tina Cantrell, principal at Hersey, stated that enrollment in guitar classes has dropped off over the last couple years.

According to Supt. David Schuler, the district lost $1 million in interest this year alone due to the "inability" of the General Assembly and governor to agree on a budget for this fiscal year.

Additionally, the General Assembly recently approved legislation requiring schools to use "green" cleaning supplies. However, the supplies are more expensive.

Schuler said the new products would cost the district an additional $20,000 per building. With seven facilities, that is an additional $140,000 that must be allocated to cleaning supplies. Schuler said the additional expense equals about 1.5 certified teachers.