Dear Editor,

I don't normally think that a Letter to the Editor is the best way to get out pertinent information, but since there has been virtually NO Communication or Transparency to the Parents, Patrons, and Tax Payers of the Willow Springs School District on very concerning items, I feel it is necessary to share some details with the Community.

 

Even though there are many issues going on in the School District, the Finances, Budget, and the district's Reserves are the most concerning.  Back in January, the school-selected Auditor told the Board that with the current trend in spending they would be DONE in two years.  He was meaning OUT OF MONEY!  You can watch that video on YouTube if you would like.  Over the last three years, which is the time the current leadership has been in place, the district has NOT had a balanced budget.  In fact, in those years they have averaged over 1 million more in expenditures than in revenues each year.  So that everyone has an idea of the current state of the district's finances here is the report from the Board Meeting in June 2025.

 

"The balance of all funds is currently $2,085,492.70. Last month the balance was $2,542,950.81 and the balance one year ago was $4,365,718.43."

 

Here is the report from July 2025.

 

"The balance of all funds is currently $. Last month the balance was $2,085,492.70 and the balance one year ago was $3,287,512.58"

 

As you can see, there was no current balance given and there have been no updates through July.  I have heard from several sources that the numbers weren't good.  Was that why no updates were given??  The communication and transparency to the School Community and Taxpayers needs to improve, especially when the district is having financial problems.

 

Although the Finances of the district seems like the biggest concern, there are other glaring issues going on within the Willow Springs School.

 

There are over 30 staff members that left the district last school year for various reasons.  That is an abnormally high number.  No exit interviews were done to help evaluate why they left to my knowledge.  Many teachers that I have talked to are very concerned with the lack of personnel that was hired back.  Even with a steadily declining enrollment, there are going to be repercussions when you take away 15 teachers/support staff.  Even though Student Achievement scores have not been great across the district, they will suffer further when you take that many key staff members away from the students.  Many employees and I wonder, why wasn't an administrator or two cut or positions combined to save money???

 

You will not find a School District of Willow Springs' size with as many administrators as we have here.  Why not combine a Director position or two with a Principal or Assistant Principal position.  If you are shrinking your staff for budgetary concerns, Administration is one of the first areas you should look to cut or combine.  Administrators tend to have less direct impact on students than teachers/paras and are much more expensive!

 

Another issue that I've been hearing more and more concerns from staff about is the new insurance which is a Self-Funded plan.  I can tell you as a Retired Administrator that put a lot of time into comparing insurance plans for my staff, when you hear Self-Funded plan, you should run!  It might have been the cheapest for the district on the surface, but it will end up being the most expensive for the district when claims start coming in.  There were way better options for the staff and district finances out there.

 

In Closing, I'm hoping and praying that the Board of Education and the District Leadership will take the necessary steps to right the ship and improve things for the Students, Staff, and Taxpayers of the Willow Springs School District.  Please pay attention folks -- it is your children, your school, and your tax dollars.

 

Respectfully and Educationally,

Bill Altermatt

Willow Springs