For the past several years, District 95 has had budget surpluses. In 2013 specifically, the District projects a $3.5 million surplus. Meanwhile, the District’s Financial Planning Program shows less spending for facilities, technology, and other areas of need. This must change in order to ensure the continuation of quality education within the District.

            With several million dollars saved each year for a period of four years, there is clearly enough to improve school facilities and technology. Recently, investments in these categories at the high school have increased with the implementation of the iPad initiative, minor bathroom renovations, and a plan to replace most of the lockers in the school.

            However, the District has not been renovating as much since the budget cuts and with such large sums available, more could be done. Heat and air conditioning upgrades is one area that comes to mind, as the results of this year’s Social Emotional Learning Survey showed the temperature of LZHS to be one of the students’ main complaints. Further restroom repairs and potential expansions of the high school stadium could also go a long way towards improving students’ education experience.

            There are certainly improvements that could be made at the other District schools as well; LZHS is not the only example of an aging building in need of repairs.

Additionally, registration fee revenue has increased by a total of $900,000 over the past three years despite financial stability. Lowering these fees would financially help families with the cost of attending school in the District, without taking much away from the District budget.

            “Fees should be rolled back. We raised them during the budget crisis, but since we’re doing okay it’s fair to roll them back. Families struggle to make ends meet in this economy, and extra fees hurt,” Jim Burke, Board of Education member, said.

            Burke attributes the District’s conservative spending to preparation for possible pension reform and other changes in state policy regarding school funds. While it is important that the District is aware of possible changes in financial status, the threat of change is no excuse for neglecting facilities and other areas of need. Caution is wise, but not in excess.

            It is conceivable that the District would be more pressured to spend its unused funds on students and facilities if parents were more aware of the surpluses. Although the budget information is available online, it is not obvious enough that a parent could find it without looking extensively for it.

            A surplus is better than a deficit, but when a surplus sits unused for several consecutive years, you may as well not have a surplus at all.