Berwyn schools will be forced to make cuts without state funding

BERWYN, Ill. (WLS) -- District officials in west suburban Berwyn say without an increase in funding, they'll have to make significant cuts.

Berwyn South School District 100 administrators met with parents Thursday to explain how their children might be impacted.

Macey Morales said she attended the meeting to hear why Piper Elementary, which has 300 students, would be forced to close.

"We're at a point right now that we are trying to understand what is happening in Berwyn," Morales said.

Officials said the school board must make cuts and craft a passable referendum to help fund education. Two years ago, a similar referendum failed.

The district if facing a $2 million deficit. Administrators said 47 percent of the district's funding comes from the state. When the state cut that funding by nearly 13 percent, the district had no other place to turn but to its savings. After dipping into the reserves for two years, the money is almost gone.

Robert Pauly, Berwyn South School District 100 board president, said his district will have to make decisions that will affect students, their families and the community. He can't contain his anger toward state lawmakers.

"These kids get the least of any children in the state of Illinois. You go to Hinsdale, those children are already receiving 25 percent more than our children," Pauly said.

Parents are also frustrated with Illinois leaders.

"I believe it's up to Speaker Madigan, President Cullerton and Governor Rauner to get off their butts and pass a budget and increase the funding for everything," said Matt Comings, a Berwyn parent.