Tuesday, April 8, District Superintendent Dr. Nanciann Gatta presented the District’s annual financial address.

Dr. Gatta offered insight on the financial accomplishments of the five years prior and articulated plans for to the years to come.

“D219 is a different place than it was five years ago, when we adopted the first-ever strategic plan,” Gatta said.

Investments were made in various academic areas, based on improved performance in areas that include but are not limited to reading, history, and summer school courses.

Advanced placement enrollment is increasing, as is reflected by the College Board recognition with its AP Honor Roll designation. With classes becoming more rigorous, accurate class placement is vital.

“Students are now placed into courses based on their past achievement record and mastery of skills, rather than on non-academic measurements, like attendance, or subjective perceptions about things like motivation, or stereotypes about race,” Gatta said.

Dr. Gatta also covered the investments that are made per student on a daily basis, which include free or reduced lunch for 3 out of every 10 students and provided a netbook for students. She offered furthering the financial assistance offered to these students in need.

“We recommend we institute a reduced fee of 50% for students who qualify for reduced lunch. Our recommendation is that those students pay $225 instead of $450,” Gatta said.

Dr. Gatta covered the student fees over the last five years. These changes include raising the driver education fee to compensate for a financial loss and parking fees being reduced to $240 for students who have early bird classes. Also, if a family has three or more children in the district the family only has to pay fees for the first two.

Additional information about the District’s financial plans can be accessed via the District website:

http://www.niles219.org/district/district-information