Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The ongoing financial woes of District 186 were on the mind of Springfield Education Association president Aaron Graves Monday night.
“Over the past many months, our members have met along with lots of district employees,” Graves said. “45 of our union members – their jobs have been cut – displaced – due to district budgetary shortfalls.”
As for the number of teachers actually cut, superintendent Jennifer Gill responded, “It’s four. Four that weren’t qualified to take any of the openings that we had.”
The district’s business manager, Steve Miller, says the upcoming fiscal year now projects a budget deficit of $13.7 million.
The board Monday re-elected its president and vice president – Erica Austin and Buffy Lael-Wolf, respectively – for the upcoming year. And a familiar name from the Springfield Police Department, Josh Stuenkel, is joining the district as its director of safety and security. Stuenkel has been a deputy chief and an assistant chief at SPD.
