The rumors started swirling last week about the possible removal of District 150's controller-treasurer. And now the school board has made it official.

In a unanimous vote, the District 150 school board voted in favor of placing Guy Cahill on a 60-day administrative leave after which his contract will be terminated.

In recent weeks Cahill has been at odds with some administrators, board members and parents in the financially strapped Peoria school district.

Parents and teachers who opposed the potential closing or consolidation of some schools questioned his math on the district's balance sheet. And tonight Carla Eman was voted temporary Controller/Treasurer, until the district can name an interim replacement.
Eman comes from the district's accounting department.

District 150 currently predicts a nine-point-two million-dollar budget shortfall starting next year. Tonight the board voted to consider a number of cost cutting measures ranging from a two percent reduction on all outside service contracts, to eliminating department chairpersons.
Also, the administration presented a time line for potential school closures.

In the months of February and March, the superintendent, Ken Hinton, will establish a district-wide expenditure reduction team consisting of union leaders, principals, and other staff.

By March and April, the board will decide whether or not to close one or more primary schools next school year. If it is recommended, Hinton will bring it to the board April 6th, and it will be voted on no later than April 20th.

Also during that time, the board will continue to discuss the necessity to close a high school for the 2010, 2011 school year. A recommendation must be made no later than May fourth, and the board must decide no later than May 18th.

And by Mid June, the board must decide which schools will be reconfigured and consolidated. The plan will be developed and discussed in the 14 months that follow.

It appears the school board has a lot of work to do in the upcoming months. But the superintendent says he looks forward to hearing ideas from some parents about how the district can get back on track.