New Legislation in Springfield Might Cost D135 Taxpayers Even More Money (Live Blog Transcript)

Update, 11:10 p.m., Monday, May 14, 2012

Three amendments added to a seemingly simple Illinois State house bill could cost Orland School District 135 taxpayers more money should it pass.

House Speaker Michael Madigan added the amendments to House Bill 3637 on Friday, which would allow the state to tap into the Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax to help fill a massive gap in the Teachers Retirement System pension. The move comes after plans have been thrown around the state capital for passing the state’s financial obligation to TRS back on local school districts, which alone could cost D135 taxpayers $8 million more a year.

“Not only could more expense be put onto the district now revenue streams are being tapped,” said John Reiniche, D135 Assistant Superintendent for Business Services, at Monday night’s school board meeting.

The CPPRT used to bring about $650,000 to the school district, but in recent years that amount fell to about $350,000, Reiniche said. This new move would take that money away from the district and be put into the TRS shortfall. The CPPRT loss could cost D135 taxpayers between $2 million and $2.5 million, Reiniche said.

“It’s never ending down there in Springfield,” said board member Joe LaMargo during the meeting. “Even though the state is going to make local school districts pay for their teachers’ pensions, the state can still borrow against (pensions).”

Board president John Carmody praised efforts by the board in 2008 to start a “contingency plan” for a situation where no state or federal funding was coming into the district at all.

“The community has to stay involved and active,” Reiniche said. “The district has tried to put itself in a position to face it. But this size of obligation has never been anticipated before.”

A nepotism policy, along with updates to the hiring policies for certified and support staff, all were approved. No changes had been made to the policies since .

No updates were given on the superintendent search beyond that the search will recommence at the start of the next school year.

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Original post, 5:53 a.m. Monday, May 14

’s Board of Education President John Carmody is expected to speak about the ongoing search for a permanent district superintendent Monday night at the board of education meeting.

The district’s school board will be meeting 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Administration Center, 15100 S. 94th Ave., and is also expected to take a vote on the proposed nepotism policy that has been discussed through .

Orland Park Patch’s live blog through Cover It Live will provide minute-by-minute updates from the meeting on this page. Look in the Cover It Live window, and you’ll see an area where you can join in and offer your comments and questions. The same rules apply as on finished articles on the site.

The agenda is attached for what will be discussed tonight. Leading up to the meeting, let me know if there's anything you particularly want to know about in the comments.