Warren Township District 121 adopts FY26 budget after public hearing

The Board of Education of Warren Township High School District 121 adopted its fiscal year 2026 budget following a public hearing at the board's regular meeting on Sept. 23. The board heard a presentation on revenue assumptions and planned expenditures, then voted to adopt the budget, which takes effect July 1, 2025. The budget discussion centered on revenue assumptions including a January-set CPI of 2.9 percent used to set the 2025 tax levy, an evidence-based funding increase of $121,821.54 as the district moved from Tier 1 to Tier 2, and an expectation of high interest income (about $2,100,000) for the year. On the expenditure side, the business manager said salaries are budgeted to rise 5.8 percent due to contract changes, salary lane moves, retirement incentives and three new hires. Health care costs were projected to increase about 9 percent, and funds were included for classroom furniture, maintenance/security equipment and a locker-room construction project at the O'Plaine campus. Board members heard that local property taxes remain the district's largest revenue source, with state and federal funds making up smaller shares. The business manager said federal funding remains flat but that Title grants (Title I, II, IV and IDEA) were restored after temporary uncertainty over the summer. The board's business manager also presented a multi-year comparison showing insurance costs rising 8—111 percent annually in recent years. After the hearing the board passed a resolution adopting the FY26 budget; roll-call voting recorded six yes votes and one absence. The board set the district fiscal year from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Board members and staff emphasized the tension between modest revenue growth and rising personnel and insurance costs, and asked administration to continue monitoring enrollment and spending. The board had placed the tentative budget on public display and public notice was published in The Daily Herald on Aug. 21, as required prior to the hearing. The board approved the final budget by roll call on Sept. 23 and instructed administration to proceed under the adopted spending plan.