As area school leaders begin their preparations for the next school year, one school district leader says the theme over the past several years has been efficiency.

Dr. Ty Wolf is the Superintendent of the Heyworth school district, and he feels they have been very good at become more efficient. He points out they are spending less-per-student than eight years ago while keeping many good programs in place.

Looking ahead, Dr. Wolf says there is no indication next year the district will be getting any money as the stalemate in Springfield continues to carry on. He says despite many different proposals and formulas, things are not looking good.

If money isn't coming in from the state, tough decisions are ahead. That is the prediction from Dr. Wolf, he feels Heyworth schools are in good shape as it relates to their reserves, but he is not sure what the prognosis would be for their neighbors around the area.

Dr. Wolf says this is a big concern for him. According to reports he's gotten, over half the districts in Illinois are deficit spending, which is causing Heyworth and other districts, to do things that are not popular, but they feel it keeps them from eliminating programs.