This is a comparison of two months’ worth of electric bills for the old DeKalb High School on South Fourth Street, which is now Huntley Middle School, and the new DHS on Dresser Road.
| Billing Month | Charges for the Month - Old DHS | Total Balance Due - Old DHS | Charges for the Month - New DHS | Total Balance Due - New DHS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals | 16,947.49 | 47,172.14 | 78,601.74 | 82,385.55 |
| June 2011 | 9,032.92 | 25,431.16 | 53,494.14 | 36,726.05 |
| July 2011 | 7,914.57 | 21,740.98 | 25,107.60 | 45,659.50 |
No, the figures for the June charges and balance due for the new DHS were not accidentally transposed! There were significant downward adjustments made on that bill.
That is one reason why I am making no claims about the bill charges being particularly representative. Also, both schools were probably atypically open a lot due to the big move and construction/remodeling work. These figures just give you a ballpark idea of the new operating expenses we’ve taken on, no more.
The DHS charges were actually a bit lower than I expected. It’s the amount in unpaid balances that is startling. The only electric bills kept paid up were charges of about $50 per month billed to “DeKalb Booster Club” at the old DHS. Also, there was $338 charged for this period in late fees.
Natural gas service charges, not included here, ran no higher than a few hundred per month but again, District 428 has not been paying these bills in full.
5 comments
Comment by Ivan Krpan on November 5, 2011 at 11:39 am
Does the school district receive disconnect notices for late utility payments? We knew they would be higher than the old high school. The problem I see is that the old high school electric bill isn’t going to eliminated due to it becoming Huntley Middle.
Gas bills for winter heat will prove interesting this winter. Fairness will be a full year but I’m afraid estimated numbers for monthly costs are low.
Comment by yinn on November 5, 2011 at 11:57 am
The new DHS numbers seem low to me too, Ivan. Well, school wasn’t actually (fully) in session. I also agree it’s a good idea to look at the gas bills after the deep freeze happens.
That it appears to be a policy to pay only a percentage of the balances on this necessity is very troubling; no wonder they are having to close schools.
Comment by Kerry Mellott on November 6, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Not paying utility bills on time? That bothers me. Especially the late fees. Being on 428′s Financial Committee, it bothers me even more. I’ll contact the District and ask for an explanation, see if there is any valid reason for late payment.
As to operational costs in general…I expect them to be high. That’s one of the reasons I (along with Ivan and others) cautioned not to use conventional building techniques while the ink on the architect’s drawings was still wet. But, they did not listen to Ivan, they did not listen to me. Just like prior to the referendum not enough people paid attention when some questioned whether this community could actually afford paying for $110 million in bonds plus expanded operational costs, considering the fact that half 428′s student population qualifies for free/reduced lunch, a federal program for low income families.
Then came the recessions. Now we will all see whether the community can withstand ever higher taxation.
Comment by yinn on November 7, 2011 at 8:44 am
Please let us know what they say, Kerry.
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