District 94 adopts $2025–26 budget and reviews five-year revenue forecast

The Community High School District 94 Board of Education adopted the district’s fiscal 2025–26 budget on Sept. 16 and received a five‑year financial forecast outlining low, middle and high revenue scenarios through fiscal 2031. The board voted unanimously to approve the budget and will submit the signed budget form to the Illinois State Board of Education and the county clerk by Sept. 30.

The budget hearing and adoption followed a presentation by Dan, the district’s executive director of business services, who told the board that “the school district budget represents only a plan and the actual revenues and expenditures may be different than the budget.” He outlined changes from the tentative budget—mainly updated revenue estimates for corporate personal property replacement tax (CPPRT), evidence‑based funding (EBF) and transportation reimbursements—and expense changes for previously approved salary overloads and student activities support.

Nut graf: The adoption formalizes the district’s spending plan for next school year while a separately presented forecast gives trustees a baseline for long‑term decisions, showing risks if state or local revenues fall and flexibility if revenues grow.

In the budget presentation, Dan said the district expects a consolidated deficit across funds but noted that a planned $2 million transfer from the operations and maintenance fund to the capital projects fund would better account for anticipated facility work. He said anticipated ending fund balances provide “almost nine months of savings.” The presentation estimated EBF revenue at about $9.7 million (updated to an actual allocation increase of $860,000 rather than the $1 million originally estimated) and listed other revenue sources including property taxes, federal grants (now about 3.6% of revenues post‑CARES), CPPRT and interest.

The board also heard the five‑year forecast from Dan, who presented three scenarios: a low case (flat or declining state and federal revenues), a middle case (moderate growth) and a high case (more favorable EBF and local revenue gains). Key forecast assumptions included: CPI‑driven property tax growth limited by new construction, a baseline CPPRT of $1.5 million with ±$300,000 sensitivity, and benefit cost increases of roughly 6% annually. Under the middle scenario the district’s fund balance as a percent of expenditures would level off near 85%; the low scenario showed a declining fund balance to roughly 60% of expenditures.

Formal action: The board adopted the budget as presented in the public hearing. Roll call recorded unanimous approval (aye votes recorded for board members present). Board members were reminded to sign the budget paperwork before leaving the meeting.

Ending: Administration said it will continue to update the board as bids and capital project details become available and will present the annual audit results later in the fall once fieldwork is completed.