As the Naperville District 203 School Board begins the process of reviewing how to reduce staff in the face of a $12.4 million budget deficit, board President Charles Cush wants residents to know no decisions have been made.
Cush emailed community members this week to counter what he said was false information that’s been spread about “reduction in force,” or RIF, notices being given to employees. He also said there was no truth to a rumor that administrators would be protected from losing their jobs.
The board is to be briefed Monday on staffing projections and on proposed reduction in force lists for certified staff on March 16. Classified staffing proposals and reduction in force lists will be evaluated April 20 before a tentative 2026-27 budget is released in May. The new budget year begins July 1.
Cush emphasized that RIF notices have not been issued to any district staff member.
Parents and community members should look at the district’s online list of frequently-asked questions to get updates on the budget situation rather than relying on social media posts or rumor, he said. The page can be found at naperville203.org/budget-reductions/frequently-asked-questions.
“We felt it was important to convey what the truth is so we can counteract the misinformation that has been raised to our attention,” Cush said.
The school board has asked district administration to make budget cuts as it faces a grim five-year financial forecast with looming deficits.
Staff reductions are one way the district hopes to balance its budget, district officials have said, noting that salaries and benefits make up 80% of district expenditures.
Cush’s email to the community came four days after fellow board member Melissa Kelley Black posted to her social media that Sequence of Honorable Dismissal notices had been delivered to the teaching staff.
Kelley Black noted in both the comment section and confirmed in an interview with the Naperville Sun that she originally posted that reduction in force notices had been issued, but changed it to Sequence of Honorable Dismissal notices within five minutes of the post going live.
“If these reductions move forward, families may see larger class sizes, fewer course options, reduced academic intervention and support services, and less individualized attention for students in the classroom,” Kelley Black’s post said.
A Sequence of Honorable Dismissal list allows employees to update their education, certifications and endorsements before a reduction in force is done. It was sent to certified District 203 employees in mid-February.
The process is regulated by the Illinois School Code, which mandates an April 15 notice deadline for licensed staff and 30 days’ notice prior to the final workday for classified staff, said LeeAnn Betz, the district’s director of communications, strategy and engagement.
Cush said his decision to email the community about the misinformation was not spurred by any one person or a group but to address the concerns administrators were hearing.
“Where (the misinformation) came from specifically, we are not emphasizing or focusing on that. It’s really the information we want to correct,” Cush said “… Regardless of where it came from, the community has credible sources where they can go to and (find) the real information.”
Kelley Black said she does not want to cause confusion, but wants to bring clarity to the district’s budget concerns. She said she isn’t spreading inaccurate information.
“I’m not trying to get people mad,” she said. “My job is to represent the people.”
She also said she does not want to cut staff, which she believes would negatively impact the quality of learning for students. She posted her concerns to Facebook on Feb. 21 because families are busy and need more than a few days’ notice to read an agenda before a board meeting, she said.
“Being a good board member to some people is supporting the administration and trusting what they are doing,” Kelley Black said. “I lay myself out there, which is not fun for me.
“I’m doing my job to give people a heads up,” she said. “I am doing what I morally think is right. I have grave concerns about cutting staff. We are removing the most important part — the people who work day to day with our kids.”
Kelley Black has clashed with the board over social media posts in the past, and was censured in October for posting information about teacher contract discussions that board members said undermined the district’s negotiating position. The censure resolution also stated her social media posts divulged and misrepresented confidential closed session information and disparaged the superintendent and board members.
“If it’s me getting censured or kids not getting their needs met, censure me,” Kelley Black said. “I’m OK with that.”
Cush apologized to staff and community for any fear and stress caused by the inaccurate information that’s been circulating.
“If messages that are out there or information that is being put out there is gaining traction and people are believing it and it is creating harm, meaning people are confused or concerned … it is not operating in the best interest of the district or the community,” Cush said.
If things remain unchanged, the deficit for fiscal year 2027-28 is anticipated to be $14.8 million and nearly $18.5 million for fiscal year 2028-29, according to the district’s five-year financial forecast.
By fiscal year 2029-30, the district would have exhausted all of its reserve funding, the forecast states.
According to the district, daily operating expenses are growing faster than revenues.
In addition to streamlining staffing, the district plans to reduce spending on items such as software, out-of-state travel, conferences and external consultants. It also plans to ensure program fees reflect the cost of materials and to advocate for increased revenue from Springfield to cover mandated expenses.
Its staff reduction plan aims to align with current enrollment. The district is looking to first save money by not filling positions created by retirements or resignations.
On Feb. 17, the board approved a one-time retirement incentive agreement with the Naperville Unit Education Association, the district’s teachers union, in which eligible staff could receive full retirement insurance benefits for retiring this year without meeting previous notification requirements.
A one-time retirement incentive is on the agenda Monday between the district and the Naperville Education Support Professionals Association to provide a monetary stipend for eligible staff who retire before the start of the 2026-27 school year.
No action is listed on Monday’s agenda to reduce staff.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.