The COVID-19 pandemic has blown a huge hole in budgets at the state and local levels. And since the state continues to bleed money, District #348 Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer expects that to trickle down to the local level. At the recent school board meeting, Bleyer said the reports right now aren’t real encouraging…

Proration of school funding was the driving force in big budget shortfalls in school districts all over Illinois in the last decade. Bleyer said he is currently planning on a 5% reduction in state funding…

In any case, Bleyer said belt tightening will be necessary for the district’s finances. Along those same lines, Board President Tim Schuler suggested the board hold off making any hiring decisions on new positions until the financial picture becomes clearer.