The vast majority of the Chamber’s Members are taxpayers of either Naperville Community Unit School District 203 or Indian Prairie School District 204, which educate nearly 48,000 students annually. The Chamber, business community, educators, community leaders and parents have made accessibility to top-quality education a priority.

The annual operating budget of the school districts is almost $500 million, with more than 75 percent of revenue coming from local property taxes. The community believes in and invests its resources in world-class education. And the districts provide exceptionally high-quality educational outcomes while spending below or slightly above the state average per student.

The recession, ongoing state budget challenges, and declines in property values present district officials with significant budgetary challenges.

After reviewing the financial projections for both districts, the Chamber took the unprecedented step of testifying before the boards of education regarding contract negotiations. The Chamber encouraged elected officials, staff and bargaining units to find an agreeable compromise that reduced costs and extended the solvency of the districts’ operating funds.

Mutually agreeable compromises were reached, and the Chamber will continue to closely monitor the financial solvency of the school districts in the years ahead.