Board approves final FY 2025–26 budget and grant allocations

The District 99 Board of Education approved the district’s final operating budget for fiscal 2025–26 and the 2025–26 grant allocations after an informational public hearing with no speakers. The board motion to submit the official ISBE budget form passed on a recorded roll call with all members saying “Aye.” Administrators said the budget totals about $122 million and remains roughly balanced despite expenditure pressures. Key revenue highlights include an expected 4% rise in property taxes and $400,000 additional replacement tax receipts that the administration said will be dedicated to the purchase of mini buses. The district said other local revenues total about $4.1 million, of which an estimated $550,000 is a payment tied to a Downers Grove TIF extension; state and federal categorical payments were projected slightly lower. On expenditures, salary and benefits reflect negotiated agreements; an increase of about $990,000 in purchased services was attributed mainly to transportation and higher commercial insurance premiums. The district plans an approximately $1.3 million increase in capital spending for technology, facilities and minibuses and increased the Chromebook lease transfer to $7,102,000 to reflect a new lease. The administration presented projected ending operating fund balances through June 30, 2026, saying the district will run a short‑term drawdown while remaining above the board’s 3% policy minimum and expects rebuilding of reserves in the following two years. The budget passed unanimously on voice votes and roll call as recorded. The board also approved the 2025–26 grant allocations and acknowledged that freedom‑of‑information requests had been fulfilled and posted.