{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"DEC Signal","title":"April 20 Recap: Librarians Fight Continues, Board Closes $635K Budget Gap — Here's How","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":426,"description":"Monday's District 65 board meeting was the second consecutive week of community testimony — this time, over 60 people spoke in defense of middle school librarians. DEC President Kelly Post made clear: our students did not create this budget crisis and should not absorb its consequences. But unlike the counselor decision two weeks ago, this one is administrative — not a board vote — which means the board cannot reverse it. The savings: $387,631. The library programs end. The board committed to continuing the conversation. On the budget: the board reached consensus on how to close the remaining $635,000 gap — retracting two hazardous bus routes ($160K), reducing crossing guard spending ($100K), implementing a sliding scale for general education busing (~$100K, still uncertain), and reducing capital expenditure spending by $300K. That capex reduction triggers the January 9th resolution benchmarks, meaning Lincolnwood closure is back on the table if financial targets aren't met by October. Preschool transportation and FACE liaison positions remain unresolved. Superintendent Turner warned that classroom-level services can no longer be protected from cuts. The next major decision point is October.DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/4dpw7RBHzCZV9m8bRgQqk1hRg6JTvaH5e2fWUWq3p1A/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85MjBk/MDkwODk5NmY1YzRm/YzgyODY2MzQ1ODNl/N2JjYS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}