[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6241264,"mediaKeyId","3307549-e9b42366df6cca2573eaca7b431d5a32","parentId",3307549,"title","District outlines capital priorities, wraparound center grants and outstanding reimbursements","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",9633000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307549-e9b42366df6cca2573eaca7b431d5a32&start=9633&end=9633","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307549-e9b42366df6cca2573eaca7b431d5a32/thumbnail_9633000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241264/Illinois/District-outlines-capital-priorities-wraparound-center-grants-and-outstanding-reimbursements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241264-0e121f6709abab6aa5300956c89ece3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776631149&Signature=ZD8~LpqvZudgt4A1V0FiIN8V2kVH9OqVyxToHzgyVN-8JA1tY1IieYz4-vOZoAIr8irFj9jPctLt8mhrOvpruUBiWbtM~j5Wr4vTRSwoWAgMjRcr1xjGPkorCPZsjHnPoRXUjAmnwV31GSnWkBNppE9W4RL9eXtMs8IXlFSCXHCuoyebKpgBpmDWhAKw~ywjU6ZTKqz67DglTXShTyW2JBWRSjgW~4ij9ykhEW9KsokzLAc5QYhYBbLrhVCoY29omRsBJ6gWrel4xXtx6fNd3TEa46BxLFUzRe-cHJkaeqr1ScL9IOBP7NQU7cJ7j3yOj-vMD95gcD8f9QwB3ZoT-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waukegan CUSD 60","date","2025-05-15T00:29:09.237Z","article","Waukegan CUSD 60 staff presented a prioritized list of capital projects and the FY26 capital budget request, saying the district has completed roughly $80 million in capital improvements over recent years while still planning additional work.

Presenters said the FY26 capital plan includes roughly $8.6 million in fund 60 allocations, of which about $4.9 million is being held as contingency for projects not yet fully defined. The presentation listed several active projects (secure entries, administrative office renovations and HVAC/system work) and noted encumbered but unpaid balances on specific projects, including a $687,000 carryover estimate tied to a property at 214 Washington and remaining contract retainage on several sites.

Staff also updated trustees on the district’s wraparound center funding. Presenters said the district secured multiple grants for the center — a $2,500,000 award for the facility overall, an $800,000 grant for services, and an additional $750,000 grant for building‑related costs — and that the district is awaiting reimbursements. “This is a grant that we got, through the foundation for $750,000 and we're awaiting reimbursement,” a presenter said during the discussion.

Trustees asked about mobile classrooms (portables), signage for the wraparound center and the method used to prioritize capital projects. Staff said the capital development committee will finalize priorities, and that the district will circulate the detailed capital list (including mobile replacements and life‑safety projects) with school‑level project status and documentation of what has been completed versus still open.

Staff reiterated that some capital spending was covered from fund balance per earlier board direction rather than new debt, and that the board requested further detail on life‑safety projects completed versus remaining obligations so trustees can assess whether to allocate bond proceeds or levy capacity to additional work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 12th, 2025 - Budget Workshop #1","oneSentenceSummary","Budget presentation listed $8.6M in capital funding for FY26 (including a $4.9M contingency), noted significant completed capital work, and flagged outstanding reimbursements tied to the new wraparound center and other projects.","taxTitle","Waukegan CUSD 60, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",14972,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241270,"District flags rising special‑education costs and federal funding uncertainty, urges cautious staffing changes",219,5689000,5908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307549-e9b42366df6cca2573eaca7b431d5a32&start=5689&end=5908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307549-e9b42366df6cca2573eaca7b431d5a32/thumbnail_5689000.jpg","/articles/6241270/Illinois/District-flags-rising-specialeducation-costs-and-federal-funding-uncertainty-urges-cautious-staffing-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241270-eea15e666087d95d5b0bc992fcb4fc7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776631149&Signature=Fbr5uohi~6ROtQZcgICUlsoGpien3~KGB4xfMIW6jrz0e3KL8ExB388ykPB7jSgEVbhHIFXJ9IsxPcuQwpapzMa0d8GYEbvt0Z1YsVsVxMXygBIMu282Tm2md850KFZjLp4HT0M35qUUD1yAN9RBYdAEZo5XIDXc7Qy6IGmZA5Sn2aGqUdU3Zrs338wNrze~PqLNCfW25YYQUY85435J9uciZrREgnhMTDAFpM8W5TdPgdVs7uBxOpT0Uz9w1CJWj8uyv4Wx2qBG5IrRuD9JzNmwfxE7dWk5hqNNpXFaivrh9twNlap16zVC9~Ri2tVQGFvcdfBNWna~ux-JGqdAQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waukegan CUSD 60 budget presenters highlighted growing special‑education (diverse learner) costs and said the district must weigh program needs against uncertain federal and state reimbursements.

Presenters showed the district’s diverse learner spending rose from roughly $29 million in 2016 to about $46 million in 2024; the FY25 budget projection remained high and staff told trustees they are budgeting conservatively to avoid sudden program cuts. “We have these students,” Associate Superintendent Gwen Polk said when explaining why the district is maintaining staffing levels for special education despite revenue uncertainty.

Administrators specifically named two revenue sources that would materially affect special‑education finances if payments change: IDEA federal grant allocations (district staff estimated roughly $6 million in IDEA grants plus related claims) and Medicaid claims for reimbursable services (staff identified roughly $2 million in claims awaiting payment because of state‑level freezes and executive actions). Polk and other presenters said those figures are included as assumptions in the FY26 budget but noted that if those funding streams are cut or redirected, the board will face difficult choices.

Trustees and staff discussed whether to make staffing reductions now or postpone decisions until funding certainty arrives. Polk said the administration prefers to avoid impulsive cuts that would reduce direct student supports; instead the district is preparing prioritized options the board can consider if revenue does not materialize.

Administrators also asked the board to consider the timing and public communication of any future decisions affecting special‑education services, emphasizing the legal and educational obligations to serve students with disabilities under federal and state rules.","Diverse learner spending has risen sharply over the past decade; district leaders said IDEA and federal claim payments are subject to uncertainty and that staffing decisions will account for potential federal funding shifts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241275,"Enrollment down ~3,000 since 2016; district staff levels hold steady, prompting reallocation talks",1241,3947000,5188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307549-e9b42366df6cca2573eaca7b431d5a32&start=3947&end=5188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307549-e9b42366df6cca2573eaca7b431d5a32/thumbnail_3947000.jpg","/articles/6241275/Illinois/Enrollment-down-3000-since-2016-district-staff-levels-hold-steady-prompting-reallocation-talks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241275-8311bceabc9cf6edb024fe6397fcaf7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776631149&Signature=nxjVrq4H5YmjoS0S8FplGTYFAjRpGohyr6qpKMJtL0NDYCoS0ZLzHmCIekf6xXk1AqcbJMf-YDehNQJqQY0zPAIriqUnCBP8LxzI9dmCyd-ELfT6eoyu124nMSrPwl-Dc8ziqHQKNhNjb3gcOQzlKXFuC4igl3AifxLNcPF7kvi-2MIPPxfiOFNbfNJ~PwqXw9JIqUhD7ubj0sVycTyDRB0YeR85YheSehfz0ck2bBqvCqQwmwdsdN3g6G-xn3Clj3UUVoV13AHJFEcoLHNccfF-jZtzVH6g4PDq~B8TFy7fmRsiOQWcgStQNElAVIymQTCQEV6SWmpc1rs3WsWchg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waukegan CUSD 60 budget presenters told the board the district has lost about 3,000 students since 2016 and now projects roughly 13,300 students for the coming year. At the same time, district staffing filled positions were reported at about 2,317 for 2025, a level that drew questions about alignment between staffing and enrollment.

Budget presenter Nick Chen presented the enrollment and staffing charts and said the district moved from about 16,000 students in 2016 to about 13,300 in 2025, a decline of roughly 3,000. He also presented the corresponding staffing counts; “going all the way to the present day to 2025 ... that is 2,317,” Chen said.

Board members asked whether the district appears ‘‘overstaffed’’ relative to enrollment and how administrators plan to pivot without a disruptive reduction in force. Administrators said they are conducting weekly reviews of staffing, retirements and contract usage and aim to redeploy employees where student needs remain high rather than use immediate layoffs.

A board member raised a specific safety concern about nursing coverage, noting the district’s published count of 18.4 full‑time equivalent nurses across 22 school sites and asking the administration for a school‑level breakdown of filled versus vacant nurse positions. The administration said the 18.4 figure represents filled, prorated positions and that contracted nurses and itinerant coverage are used in some buildings; staff agreed to return with detailed vacancy and contract counts so trustees and the public can see where itinerant coverage is used and where a full‑time nurse is assigned.

Administrators described a multi‑pronged approach to manage the staffing‑enrollment mismatch: (1) prioritize direct student services (reading/math specialists, counselors, social‑emotional supports) for retention of student outcomes; (2) redeploy certificated and classified personnel where possible as retirements or reassignments occur; and (3) examine contracted services for consolidation as permanent hiring increases.

Superintendent and cabinet members emphasized the board’s stated preference to avoid abrupt layoffs where feasible, citing the morale impact and potential negative effects on student services. Staff said principals are examining grade‑level staffing, class sections and possible internal transfers to match classroom needs and preserve specialists and extracurricular programming.","Board heard a multi‑year enrollment decline alongside staffing data showing roughly 2,317 filled positions in 2025, prompting discussion of redeployment, vacancies and concerns about nurse coverage and service continuity.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241280,"Waukegan CUSD 60 projects revenue drop for FY26, flags use of reserves and possible tax increase",11355,303000,11658000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307549-e9b42366df6cca2573eaca7b431d5a32&start=303&end=11658","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307549-e9b42366df6cca2573eaca7b431d5a32/thumbnail_303000.jpg","/articles/6241280/Illinois/Waukegan-CUSD-60-projects-revenue-drop-for-FY26-flags-use-of-reserves-and-possible-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241280-f8bb2cecd729b0c5786b2b01c8d68d35/orig.mp4?Expires=1776631149&Signature=DNf5UZDJQmfSuPKT26g6N4Ta5slqSBSMy00NZP~zs5t-swKNH3jdgF0yHKHGHIWEn-O8f4DI6lhU0s2~eaiB3muvVZcWQ420snUN~IVVu7P~Y~hSUXug1Nna4uqLyOsExAA17rNLIQCizmQ10Q2rTy9ivIhos6vv4nFvjJqEN~WaYcvtYd9ie24oJXVysslurzlzZ10hYbZsLsh898JpF6I0gSLrSCtaRvt3xquJ6Lg4zTHdGRxvmRfblVu3oFCecgCzR9aCuo-d6EKFvUosRvm8nxElTlrDWo0Nqugy0xDoG6iU1znOYfNMLa2~z~Z0c2tlAACwV53~~aHNjsmYew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waukegan CUSD 60 officials presented a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget profile that assumes a sizable drop in revenue next year and relies on reserve funds to avoid an immediate deficit. Associate Superintendent for Business Services Gwen Polk told the board the district used conservative assumptions, including holding many line items flat while incorporating ISBE's 4.1% evidence‑based funding request into projections.

Polk said the presentation aimed to give the board a “picture of the landscape” and that the district does not intend to present a deficit budget for FY26. “We think that it's going to not create a deficit,” Polk said during the presentation.

The district's materials show a projected revenue figure of about $279 million for FY26 and list a budgeted total expenditure figure of about $327,000,003.00. Polk told the board the district expects to begin the fiscal year with an education fund balance around $65.6 million and projected an end‑of‑year education fund balance near $40.7 million if the proposed spending holds.

The presentation repeatedly emphasized that the budget uses conservative assumptions because some state and federal revenue sources remain uncertain. Polk and other presenters identified three revenue risks: delayed Medicaid reimbursements, outstanding reimbursement from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for capital/grant work, and potential federal or state executive actions that could reassign or alter funding streams.

Board discussion focused on the effect of the district's decision to keep property tax levies level for several years. District staff and several trustees noted that keeping the levy level since 2018 has left an estimated $35 million ‘‘on the table’’ in foregone tax revenue the board could not restore later. Polk said the district has about $105 million in cash on hand across funds, but also warned that using reserves to backfill structural shortfalls is not sustainable indefinitely.

No formal board action was taken at the workshop; staff said they will return with more detailed budget documents and scenarios, including comparisons to peer districts and the tradeoffs that would follow any decision to restore all or part of the tax capacity.

Polk urged a measured approach: if federal or state revenues change, the district will update assumptions and recommend changes. “We should not be impulsive in making changes,” Polk said about potential staffing and program adjustments, noting the administration is preparing options for the board’s consideration.

The administration recommended the board consider the full set of tools — including targeted expenditure reductions, use of reserves, and levy adjustments — and directed staff to provide impact scenarios so trustees can weigh tradeoffs ahead of formal budget hearings and truth‑in‑taxation notices.

The workshop closed with staff agreeing to provide detailed line‑item links and comparative data on tax impact by household for any levy proposal, and to circulate clarifying documentation on outstanding reimbursements and reserve balances.","District finance staff presented a FY2026 budget profile showing a projected revenue decline, planned use of fund balance to avoid an immediate deficit and a recommendation that the board consider restoring property tax capacity left unused since 2018.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District outlines capital priorities, wraparound center grants and outstanding reimbursements

District flags rising special‑education costs and federal funding uncertainty, urges cautious staffing changes

Enrollment down ~3,000 since 2016; district staff levels hold steady, prompting reallocation talks

Waukegan CUSD 60 projects revenue drop for FY26, flags use of reserves and possible tax increase