Although the economic crisis could mean trouble for Evanston Township High School in future years, the school is currently in a stable financial position, school board officials reported Tuesday.
The school could also benefit soon from a proposed nationwide stimulus plan currently being debated in Washington, said William Stafford, the school board’s chief financial officer.
Delivering the Mid-Year Budget Review to the school board, Stafford said that lower interest rates mean the school district is making less money from its invested funds. In addition, the state of Illinois is roughly $5 million behind in payments, including some to ETHS, he said.
Still, revenues for nearly all major school funds are meeting or exceeding projections, he said.
“I think this is a manageable situation,” Stafford said. “But we have to be aware of it.”
The good news is that federal relief could be on the way. If Congress approves a stimulus bill meant to jump-start the faltering economy, ETHS could see a significant funding boost, Stafford said, citing projections from the Illinois Association of School Business Officials.
“The tentative package for 2009 has District 202 (ETHS) getting about $92,000 entitled “lend money,” about $340,000 in construction money and about $340,000 in Special Ed. money for (fiscal year) ’09,” Stafford said. “For ’10, the numbers are similar. So over those two years, it’s about $1.2 million.”
Later in the meeting, a committee reported on a new online program that lets parents see students’ grades, attendance and schedules. The Home Access Center launched in November, and 20 percent of ETHS parents have signed up, the committee reported.
Starting Feb. 2, parents will be able to access specific assignments and their students’ corresponding grades. Parents without easy home Internet access can currently use computers at five churches and six other Evanston locations to access the system.
Committee member Paula Frohman, the school’s IT director, said she hopes the project will help bring the community closer.
“I see it as a great opportunity to give back to the community and help them feel connected to the school,” Frohman said.
