[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_75":74},"mediaId",5976734,"mediaKeyId","5838229-6f0afced860bc31213cd28d331761a68","parentId",5838229,"title","Board reviews 2026 bus and fleet plans; staff says transportation fund retains reserve after transfers","audioSeconds",226,"startMs",2450000,"endMs",2676000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838229-6f0afced860bc31213cd28d331761a68&start=2450&end=2676","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838229-6f0afced860bc31213cd28d331761a68/thumbnail_2450000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5976734/Illinois/Board-reviews-2026-bus-and-fleet-plans-staff-says-transportation-fund-retains-reserve-after-transfers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976734-1103d6e5721268119ae6c6d223bbd320/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095520&Signature=X0k7V32p1H8ifg9ASSju5Gs~6PRSCvmOoVkXkWPxc-s8bm~sLMyHnKAQQdqS7qHCj~hMb29jqmTBIS63Jj7xHMg-dS2oKCZZYieLYEA~QT~r6VIY2lvhxSSvz0xL9VtRnDju6VLC9-fqBx63ybGZuw83CgnRMsK7WL26J1gd~kE~1cxaypd~usuQAwiJg-Pq2iuLvoYRqGTHWND0VNH1hsVNEVIO4dRWlKoGcOQRypyFtRHzZFtDlp9zLRnHkdevGmhzTSeVCyB90Lr5AFNNjUOnkDY3jPqBej8vfEWvqVQH8CPpEUaL0pz4DBPGLkd-h2pc8quKA5wLpTsmJ2AEDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dunlap CUSD 323","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","Board members reviewed information about planned 2026 bus and fleet purchases and asked questions about timing, costs and the district's transportation reserves.
Staff said the district has recently transferred funds out of the transportation fund (a $2.2 million transfer was cited during discussion) to cover other priorities, but there remains a reserve balance in that fund. Board members asked whether the transfer left adequate reserves for bus purchases; staff replied there is still a healthy reserve balance to support planned purchases.
Discussion touched on unit costs and industry timing: staff said heavy-truck and semi markets have softened after prior shortages, improving availability and shortening lead times compared with a year or two ago, although turnaround and costs remain elevated compared with older cycles. One board member said the district purchased buses in recent years and that prior purchases had ranged in the low six-hundred-thousands for some years; staff described the proposed fleet purchases as \"high quality\" vehicles and noted that master mechanic Brad Swoolman and maintenance staff support the choices.
Board members also asked about state reimbursements tied to certain student transfers; staff said reimbursement rates have declined over time and noted current reimbursement may be closer to 60% (down from prior pro-rated figures near 75'90% depending on program) for some types of transfers, and that recent transfers are reimbursed over multi-year schedules (staff cited that roughly 64% will be reimbursed to the district over five years for a specific bus-related reimbursement discussed).
No formal procurement motion was made at the meeting; the item was listed as information and board members asked staff to continue with procurement planning consistent with the district's transportation needs and available reserves.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dunlap School Board Meeting 09/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members discussed planned 2026 bus purchases and learned the district transferred funds from the transportation fund to cover other needs but still retains reserves; staff described typical reimbursement rates for certain pupil-transfer costs.","taxTitle","Dunlap CUSD 323, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",55351,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976737,"Board approves pool filtration replacement, approves up to $200,000 to expedite work",493,3468000,3961000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838229-6f0afced860bc31213cd28d331761a68&start=3468&end=3961","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838229-6f0afced860bc31213cd28d331761a68/thumbnail_3468000.jpg","/articles/5976737/Illinois/Board-approves-pool-filtration-replacement-approves-up-to-200000-to-expedite-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976737-9d8991d5348b2419aa9549289b58eeff/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095520&Signature=FaNWQSCh7bYLyhz0VWjWnsxJBDZ3Dx35g01aP92GdQe6kkFNIpfL~xhzo9jH3otJbDoXmMxLrPzYf~ODHm53T28995xYtqA4iyuereQIWBMFRZYT~0OFJsxuIgBVEw~ReZX4hvZch5J16grfZzevlVJhuuw14XmKGQMs2iN3OOsGvA8-yEpvAid6omUmnJl8rie6I2pyYqsmsesuFqnwTffXyfg5dt123tD9yWn5veVqOUHizEN91oyBqoOIjvQOx~CmYEUO2JhxckPRfDLl3U3cd2mREW10JER6Vd9Lycz5KJDCvW7-gjSkviOoHsRXOFif8eET4yBweM~tzekpQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dunlap School Board approved replacement of the district's pool filtration system and authorized staff to proceed with contracting up to a not-to-exceed amount of $200,000 to secure timely procurement and installation.
District staff said the existing sand-filter system was originally installed in 1990 and has exceeded its expected life span. Facilities staff told the board the sand has likely never been replaced and that the system's 25-year expected life makes it vulnerable to a longer outage that could take eight to 12 months to remedy if a full permit and a new-system design were required.
Facilities staff described three options: do nothing, replace the existing style of filter with a like-for-like unit (the recommended path), or install an entirely new filtration system that would trigger a longer health-permitting process and could take many months. Staff said a like-for-like replacement could be completed in roughly two weeks of downtime once equipment arrives, while installing a new-design system could take eight to 12 months given state review timelines.
Board members discussed whether to delay the replacement while exploring a longer-term referendum for a new pool. Superintendent Dr. Dearman and facilities staff noted that a referendum, even if successful, would likely put a new pool two years or more into the future and would not prevent a near-term failure that could sideline aquatic programs for months. One board member asked whether the replacement could be funded from bond proceeds if the district had excess funds; staff replied that the pool could potentially be included in bond-funded work if bond proceeds remain after school construction scope is finalized.
A motion to approve the pool filtration system replacement with a not-to-exceed figure (presented in staff materials as approximately $185,900 and memorialized in the motion as a $200,000 not-to-exceed authorization) passed on roll call after discussion; one board member voted no during the roll call. Staff said they would solicit bids as appropriate and aim to minimize downtime for swim programs.","The board approved replacement of the district pool's filtration system, accepting a staff recommendation to pursue replacement now to avoid extended shutdowns and authorizing a not-to-exceed amount for procurement and installation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976741,"Board approves resolution to issue about $44 million in debt certificates for new elementary school",467,2978000,3445000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838229-6f0afced860bc31213cd28d331761a68&start=2978&end=3445","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838229-6f0afced860bc31213cd28d331761a68/thumbnail_2978000.jpg","/articles/5976741/Illinois/Board-approves-resolution-to-issue-about-44-million-in-debt-certificates-for-new-elementary-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976741-92189f8cedc012aa6fc3771ed693ce93/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095520&Signature=k6RuPbiuipwlLmlpq3gKwSefXkkcdzXbNMSxqD0YeZzZwv5MBJRnnfld87iFQnAsGqOcDgk3PfJ2W~2lkfWjuNttOrmlJD-q9l62neor6h2mc7b8kLgTUuz~VdbFg09sI95VAuzmIOA3CYhXy5-202Em4cwSChmhU4ugUlYit07TiTB8~5vrKsQswigl4FUGSFgtizBcJ~fsNURUCwj7ve2GqnjPhlyp5ZT8eSNlamoqBKlvO-VUtTPB1yJGvKj1tdRCdmDCE97FO9dZ7kMq1~C-imCpqWXNjxAvy0McfalNpnFQq1iK6bNtQeLzKHsJ2ESNaUehj6U4SwH8yQxJzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dunlap School Board voted to approve a resolution authorizing the issuance of approximately $44 million in debt certificates to build and equip a new elementary school and to renovate and improve school facilities and sites.
During discussion, board members and staff clarified the $44 million figure reflected the option selected for a new school sized for roughly 700'750 students and associated site work; staff said the current cost estimate provided by consultants Mark Bibi, Kirk Anderson and PJ Hair was about $43.5 million, and the board rounded the authorization to $44 million to allow flexibility. Board members noted the authorization does not include playground replacements for other schools or additional structural projects (playgrounds and HVAC replacements were discussed separately during the financial presentation).
Board members asked whether the authorization could be increased to cover additional capital needs. Superintendent Dr. Dearman said the final issuance amount would be set when the board decides how much to borrow; \"there is a cost associated with it\" and increasing the bond amount would increase borrowing costs, he said. He also noted that if the board chose to add projects to the borrowing plan it should weigh that against the district's operating outlook.
A motion to approve the resolution passed by roll call. The transcript shows a mix of votes; board members identified in the roll call included Rutherford (aye), Feldman (aye), Paul (no), Tyler (aye) and Wigeshaft (aye). The motion carried.
Board discussion included confirming that $2 million of the authorization would be left for discretionary board-approved uses and that the specific construction scope (option 1 in the consultant work, which included pre-K classrooms and an additional road labeled the \"B road\") was the basis for the estimate presented to the board. Staff said the quote did not include the additional playground replacements or other structural work Dr. Dearman had highlighted in his financial presentation; if the board later wanted to include further items, staff would return with options and final issuance amounts.
The resolution authorizes staff to pursue issuance; final terms, project list and timing will be set by the board and finance advisors during the bond issuance process.","The board approved a resolution to move forward with issuing approximately $44 million in debt certificates to build and equip a new elementary school; discussion addressed what the authorization covers and what it excludes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976746,"School board adopts FY26 budget as superintendent warns of widening gap between revenues and expenses",2966,619000,3585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838229-6f0afced860bc31213cd28d331761a68&start=619&end=3585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838229-6f0afced860bc31213cd28d331761a68/thumbnail_619000.jpg","/articles/5976746/Illinois/School-board-adopts-FY26-budget-as-superintendent-warns-of-widening-gap-between-revenues-and-expenses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976746-30e6d84562c36df8488de200b3c500b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095520&Signature=YwBbR80fmntkroo7c5YPTyhKGkt00AkS5zNtXLlnGu753Vr5Oc1cAueDeIuAXSrxW0-NoL8gIkcdTNZXQcp5pBtJ5GaYMLBB5GBuNz6-QGPUgDpJFFivjbkNbPeK5aDhK5S3uj~BAaOj5I2DUoukQ0xOv7PbuZbB1f7U1kgRsGMInFeSYoXV5mbNOWzUk1Nyk7HHaOwuPPT3vYkpqXbf9okLlva5bci67MnqNh215dIJgrFMnlvU9DtXr1U8cn10DAZtfjXj-gg5voMHCrwr1Mst~CgBU1Mz5DJH5mtyZOZdML0sL4qElYcDHCGum82hzH~p2OeI1Xb6GY9lhS6UgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dunlap Community Unit School District board voted to adopt the fiscal year 2026 budget at its Aug. 27 meeting, approving a deficit plan Superintendent Dr. Dearman described as \"the smallest budget deficit in the last five years\" while warning that ongoing expense growth risks outpacing revenues.
Dr. Dearman told the board the district has run roughly $1 million annual deficits in recent years and urged members to plan now to avoid a future fiscal crisis. \"We need to get out in front of this,\" he said during a detailed financial presentation that reviewed reserves, revenue drivers and projected capital needs.
The presentation said the district's funding is heavily dependent on property taxes and the state's evidence-based funding model, and that while the district has benefited from recent EBF increases and one-time federal COVID funds, the base revenue share has not substantially changed over 25 years. Dr. Dearman described reserves and a 180-days cash target flagged by the Illinois State Board of Education as important measures for the district's financial profile.
Board members and staff discussed options to close the gap, including a potential tax referendum, working cash fund bonds (which the district's bond advisor said around 75'80% of schools use), or other borrowing. Dr. Dearman said a 30-cent tax increase was one example he analyzed and that working cash fund bonds are a common alternative to raise capital without a permanent tax-rate change.
Several board members asked for a deeper analysis. Board member Tim urged a proactive \"deep dive\" into expenditures and possible structural cuts; another board member said a small finance committee should reconvene to evaluate scenarios before additional actions. Dr. Dearman agreed a deep-dive review is a reasonable next step but reiterated that large savings would likely require reductions to personnel or programs because 80% or more of district spending is on people.
The board opened and closed a public hearing on the FY26 budget earlier in the meeting and then took the adoption vote. During roll call on the budget adoption motion, Feldman, Paul, Kai Rapoport and Wagoncock voted yes; Holzhauser voted no (roll-call transcript included partial names and votes). Dr. Dearman and finance staff Mike McKenzie presented the budget materials and answered questions about projection assumptions and one-time transfers the district has used in recent years.
The superintendent presented a multi-year projection that included needed capital items not yet funded in the FY26 budget, including HVAC replacements, playgrounds and roof/structural work. Dr. Dearman said some major projects (estimated in prior staff work at roughly $17 million over five years) are not included in the FY26 operating forecast and will require separate planning.
The board adopted the FY26 budget as presented and directed staff to continue analysis and bring further financial options, including the deeper expenditure review several members requested. The motion passed by roll call; board members were reminded to sign the adopted budget document.
Looking ahead, Dr. Dearman and several board members advised moving quickly to assemble analysis and potential policy options so the district can choose between using reserves, borrowing, or seeking voter approval if needed.","The Dunlap school board voted to adopt the district's fiscal year 2026 budget, a deficit plan Superintendent Dr. Dearman said is the smallest shortfall in five years, while he warned ongoing expense growth will outpace revenue without action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews 2026 bus and fleet plans; staff says transportation fund retains reserve after transfers

Board approves pool filtration replacement, approves up to $200,000 to expedite work

Board approves resolution to issue about $44 million in debt certificates for new elementary school

School board adopts FY26 budget as superintendent warns of widening gap between revenues and expenses