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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The Ford Heights School District 169 is located in
3the southern suburbs of Cook County and includes two elementary
4schools, the Medgar Evers Primary Academic Center and the
5Cottage Grove Upper Grade Center; and
 
6    WHEREAS, According to the Chicago Tribune and the Cook
7County Clerk's Office, residents of Ford Heights had the
8highest composite suburban property tax rate in all of Cook
9County; the composite rate is determined by combining property
10taxes from schools, municipalities, park districts, library
11districts, and all other taxing bodies listed on property tax
12bills; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The Ford Heights School District 169 is located in
14the Village of Ford Heights, which is considered one of the
15most disadvantaged suburbs in the United States; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Despite only having around 400 students enrolled,
17the superintendent of Ford Heights District 169 earns $250,853
18this school year, with a generous package of benefits and his
19contract states that his salary is scheduled to rise to
20$285,078.86 by July 1, 2021; and
 
21    WHEREAS, The superintendent's salary is in the top 50 in

 

 

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1Illinois even though he is head of one of the smallest
2districts in the Chicago area; and
 
3    WHEREAS, The South Cook News reports that the district is
4spending $2.3 million per year on non-teacher employees and
5administrators; for the 400 students and two school buildings,
6there are 10 full-time custodians, nine full-time secretaries,
7two principals, two assistant principals, and two attendance
8officers among several other district-level positions;
9therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Auditor General is
12directed to conduct an audit of Ford Heights School District
13169; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That the audit will examine the following issues:
15        (1) Whether the administrative expenses at the Ford
16    Heights School District 169 are justified based on the
17    number of students and school buildings and compared to
18    other districts;
19        (2) Whether the superintendent's pay is justified
20    based on the number of students and his responsibilities
21    and compared to other districts;
22        (3) Whether there has been any misuse of school
23    district funds or whether procedures can be improved or

 

 

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1    updated; and
2        (4) Whether the school district is on sound financial
3    footing and can make necessary bond and debt service
4    payments; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That the Illinois State Board of Education and
6the Ford Heights School District 169 and any other State agency
7having information relevant to this audit cooperate fully and
8promptly with the Auditor General's Office in its conduct; and
9be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That the Auditor General commence this audit as
11soon as possible and report his findings and recommendations
12upon completion in accordance with the provisions of Section
133-14 of the Illinois State Auditing Act.