FCHS Superintendent Bob Wells Warns of Funding Shortfall

During the July 17th Fairfield Community High School Board meeting, FCHS Superintendent Bob Wells warned that funding cuts would be coming due to Illinois state budget shortfalls. Superintendent Wells told the board that estimated budgeting cuts could heavily affect area schools as early as this spring. The areas most likely to be affected are: Transportation, facing a 27% cut; Special Education, facing a 39% cut; and Private Facility Funding, being cut by 50%. Additional Federal funding cuts in Title funds could leave the FCHS district tens of thousands of dollars in the red. In other Board news, FCHS officials announced a newly added Sports Officiating Class. FCHS parents were able to pay an additional $15 fee at Registration to take the new class. The fee would provide students from ages 15-17 the chance to earn a provisional officiating license with the opportunity to make extra money as a sports official, in up to two sports. This program will make it easier for schools to find or replace officials throughout the state, where the average age of sports officials is 53 years old. Superintendent Wells also informed the Board that the majority of the maintenance projects around the school have been finished, including applying bulletproof security film to the school windows. Wells assured the board that despite the new film being applied, the windows will appear the same. Tuckpointing in various locations of the building has also been completed. One summer project that is yet to be completed is the gym renovations, as the bleacher company is waiting for product to be installed.