* State budget still worries schools

“We just don’t know. Our budget needs to be passed by September 30th. We have to put a 30-day window out there, put a tentative budget out, advertise it, pass it,” said Dr. Kelly Funke, Superintendent of Limestone Community H.S. District.

Many school districts expect to get more state money for 2008, and that could be about $400 more per student.

* School budget conservative in light of state budget impasse

While Illinois politicians continue to fight over the state budget, school financial planners try to do their jobs without hard numbers. For Harlem — and probably many other school districts across Illinois — it means that budgets will probably be amended after state funding for schools is known.

A public hearing on the tentative budget is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, with the School Board expected to vote on it immediately afterward. This process, with revisions likely, would have to be repeated if the budget is altered at a later date.

“My guess is that most districts will have to amend their budgets,” said Rob Holmes, Harlem’s business manager.

At Monday’s School Board meeting, he told board members that with no word from Springfield, the 2007-08 budget will not change from the tentative version that was released in late August. That spending plan showed balanced spending for this school year.

* School district on the capital budget

* Editorial: Assignment, boost scores in high schools