The school district gets 68 percent of property taxes and has recieved more money from the tax payers they need to curb their spending and use the resources they have instead of going after past due bills for fees. Also it just isn't right of them to approve pay increases for the top officials who already are in the six figure range. But every year they need more money where does it all go? They should publish their annual budget to the penny with salaries and expenditures so we the people can review and have a say on what they spend our tax dollars on.

I for one am happy to see this. My child sure didn't get a free ride. We paid and we paid on time - even though at times it was difficult. It makes it fair for those that do pay.

When are we going to say enough is enough and put an end to these ridiculous accusations by the school district that they are broke and need more money. If the district were run like any other business in America they would balance the budget in one way, CUT SPENDING! Quit putting the blame on the public who is giving you 60%+ of their hard earned dollars every year and do the right thing, look inside your organization and fix it.

I am also happy to see this. There are some people who do this type of thing over and over again and they know who they are. It is about time there is way for the district to recover some of these costs. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if this has anything to do with hard times.

Yes...the school district needs to work on budgeting and trimming the pay of top officials but the families who don't pay while others do... is not right either. If the only way to get them to pay is to go after tax refunds then so be it. I have paid for my children over the past 12 years and still am. When things got tough for me...I worked out a payment plan with the school and paid what I could afford and this system works. I worked at the school district many years ago and I knew of families where their kids would come to school in designer clothes but have never once paid, since kindergarten, for school fees or even school pictures and their child was now in fifth grade. There are families who have multiple kids and the fees add up but when you make NO effort at all to pay and continue to do this year after year then they need to be taught a lesson. It's only fair.

I agree that there should be better ways to control the budget. And the district spends in places they don't need to. However, it's not just the Plainfielf district that is struggling. Our entire state is broke. Schools are supposed to be receiving money from the state. But the state has nothing to give. I'm not saying the district isn't partially to blame. But part of this is our Goverments doing as well. Vote, vote, vote, change starts with you.

I am very glad they are going after people who do not pay their fees. The artical says about 750 students haven't had their school fees paid. How many kids are in Dist 202? I'm sure the majority of those who's parents have paid are on tight times, working 2 or 3 jobs.. but they are Honest. Honest people pay their bills on time and do what they must. Payment plans are set up by Dist.202 just for this problem.

@ M2P, I agree with your comment and applaud you for doing the right thing in a tough situation. But there are the deadbeats, the one's who want the free handouts, let's stop paying our mortgage and then let's walk away after a couple of years. You know the people who have no morals, no feelings but for their own pitiful selves. So when I think about it, going after those useless people of our local society isn't such a bad idea as long as the district does it's part. Because when you think about it, the children of these pathetic losers have those losers to look up to. They then bring those morals and ideas to our schools and spread the disease among our kids, take what you want it's all free! Smash those windows, punch those ladies in the face, take it all! Government should put all those FEMA trailers in a fenced compound and shove those "I live for a free hand-out" idiots into it. Want to live free live in a trailer and fight amongst yourselves for your survival. Then put it on live TV following Honey Boo Boo or the Real Housewives and then they would have earned the air they breath.

Wow! Going after families that hardly have a pot to save in as is? Where is your scence of "Community"? So how do we go after Madigan and his gang in springfield for not getting the schools their money? When will these same people coming up with these crap ideas realize they are backing the wrong party in Illinois and this is the real problem!

Going after the people that don't give a damn. M2P paid what he could and worked it out. I gave things up to support my family, to send my kids to school. I didn't not pay my taxes, I didn't not pay my mortgage. I have lost jobs and I have found new ones. Maybe not as glamorous but they paid the bills. I have friends who have taken on part time jobs to supplement their unemployment. We don't just walk away and give up and let our "community" make up for our lazy butts. If you think this is all about ONE political party you better get out of your cave. It's not one party, one person, it's the entire system. If you think that this election is going to change the world then I have some real estate in Vegas, Arizona and Florida for sale.

From what I understand They, The "Teachers" also refused to pay 10 % for
Health Ins. I have to pay 950 a month for my family health coverage..
Can I get a Job ????

@JJS and you only have to work 9 months to get that health insurance.

Everyone needs to stop playing the blame game. Stop bringing politics, teachers, taxpayers, corporations into the reason you do not pay your bills. It’s simply about people not paying their bills. Whether its school fees, mortgage, electric bill…be responsible for your own actions. People live outside their means all the time and then expect others to pay for it or blame someone else for their lack of money. If you can’t afford it then set up what you can afford and pay that amount no matter how small it may be. You are at least trying and making an effort. Everyone is hurting, myself included, but should we all just stop paying our bills? Those that ignore the problem, need to take a long hard look in the mirror and see the problem.

Amen! Guess maybe that should be right on or spot on! You know you look back at this whole real estate crisis and a majority, and I say majority because some people actually fell on some bad times, but a majority of people that got burned on their homes had zero down-payment loans. So instead of saving money to put down on a home they borrowed the down-payment to. Or they refinanced to pay for the two new cars in the garage because what the hell it didn't cost them anything just a couple more bucks a month on a mortgage for the house they couldn't afford. Life is not free, you have to work and pay for what you get! But this article is about the the school district and they are acting like the world has not changed in the past 10 years. You can't afford those raises, those benefits so guess what you have to pay for it, because it's not free any more!

It is shameful that this district with all the revenue it gets each year from the property taxes we all pay and other sources cannot balance their budget! Overspending on Taj Mahals, and the upper echelons of management has proved that this school board need to be replaced! The school districts in Southern Illinois would walk through fire to have the kind of financial resources which we taxpayers have allowed this district control. The people here (taxpayers) would be wise to control this district's future spending better, by pressuring our school board to STOP their wasteful spending!

The teachers here are highly paid in comparison with the rest of the state, especially those South of Springfield! America has changed, but requires much more fiscal responsibility in order to avert disaster. Teachers, their unions and all branches of government must learn to adjust to our new economy, some of which will require deep cuts!

Pay for your own kids they are yours for goodness sake. Stop blaming everyone else for your troubles. This includes the school districts building these massive schools that needs to be heated, cooled, and maintained. If you are short paying maybe you can work off the debt painting, cleaning the swimming pool etc....

Finally, going after the deadbeats. I paid and so should they!!!!!!

Pursuing the repeat offenders is a great idea. There are mitigating circumstances in many cases, but there are those that simply ignore to pay. Go get 'em.

According to Article X(10) of the State of Illinois Constitution, all secondary education shall be free. I pay my taxes and fees on time, but I don't understand how 202 can go after people for unpaid fees when, according to state law, it's free. Shouldn't the thousands we pay in property taxes cover everything? Greed, greed and more greed!

Greed maybe, but it's a lesson in life, you use it you buy it! Nothing worse than a deadbeat.

I applaud the district for taking these measures however, what changes will be put in place to prevent this from happening going forward?

I’m tired of seeing people question teachers. I use to think teaching was the easiest job...no weekends, home by 4, gets all the holidays & summers off. After working at the school district & seeing what teachers do all day....I sometimes wonder HOW they do it. They really are under appreciated and under paid. They get there early, stay late, go to meetings constantly, try to keep up with the ever changing curriculum, conferences, state testing, meetings during lunch, sometimes no lunch, any free time is used up waiting to make copies, emailing or calling parents back on daily basis, dealing with troublemakers, helping kids who always come to school hungry because they have no food, no winter coat or have holes in their shoes, reading notes from home, giving kids one on one time for those that need it, some take classes at night, they take homework home every night/weekend and still try to maintain a home life. Also...most tutor or have second job during summer to make ends meet. I've seen teachers purchase things for classrooms, items for various projects, books for kids, buy winter coats for the ones that have none, help families at holidays, stock the classroom with educational games & things for the kids to do, they give parties to kids as an incentive for doing all their work...all out of pocket. Teachers do it for the kids and not the lavish lifestyle that’s given above. If it pays so well and is easy..then maybe it’s time for a career change for some of you.

Granted - most of our teachers are diligent in their work and teaching abilities, and are well compensated for these in District 202! Most teachers earn well over $55,000. per year in our district, with many earning well into the 60s and 70s depending upon their years of experience and education. Here is a list, for those interested - in which the teacher salaries for district 202 are broken down by teacher name, and affiliation for 2011: This chart does not list other perks as part of their contracts!

http://www.familytaxpayers.org/ftf/ftf_district.php?did=13585&year=2011

Personally I was more interested in the Administration pay and the pay associated with some of the department heads, special education, and principals... Many ranging well over $100.000.00 per year - most enlightening!

What is really interesting that many teachers salaries are linked to district size. Districts with higher enrollments seem to pay more. CLASSROOM size is more important then District size we thought. Well anyway - the above link will enlighten some and should finally put teachers pay at rest.

Any student who qualifies for free/reduced lunches also qualifies for free/reduced fees. Please don't think that the district is trying to get money out of people who truly can't afford it.

It's also good to know everyone's viewpoint of teacher's in your district. I hope every teacher reads these comments and understands the lack of support they have from the community. Well, at least the people who read the Plainfield Patch.

Teacher salaries for District 202 (and any other) can be found at familytaxpayers.org. as well as other sites. The numbers don't include benefits. Crying poor is one of the reasons they don;t get a lot of support.

You are assuming the delinquent people PAY TAXES! Most probably do not. If they do pay taxes they probably can't afford it ~ therefore you are going after the wrong people! It's a vicious cycle