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Board places 2025–26 tentative budget on display; $8.125 million set aside to finish kindergarten 'case center' drives projected deficit
Summary
The Board approved putting the tentative 2025–26 budget on public display. Finance staff said the district shows a $7.4 million deficit on paper largely because approximately $8.125 million remains in the budget to finish a new kindergarten center; the project is funded from district reserves and no bond was issued.
The District 41 board voted to place the 2025–26 tentative budget on public display and schedule a public hearing, as required by school code. The motion passed by roll call.
Presenter Eric Porter told the board the tentative budget shows a $7.4 million deficit driven mainly by $8,125,000 budgeted to complete the new kindergarten “case center.” Porter said that if the case center spending were excluded the operating picture would show a modest surplus of about $700,000 to $725,000. He said the district expects to pay roughly $625,000 in one‑time startup supplies for the new building and to add about 36.65 FTEs to staff it (the fractional FTE reflects shared positions).
Porter said the $28 million capital project has been funded from district reserves and that the district did not borrow money for the work. On a cash basis, after remaining expenses are paid, the district expects to hold “approximately 20%” in fund reserves. He explained that capital expenses must be recorded in the capital projects fund, which the district does not levy; the education fund will transfer the necessary dollars to the capital account to record the expenses properly.
On revenues, Porter said the district assumes a 2024 CPI of 2.9% for new tax growth, expects slightly lower federal funding (about $320,000 lower overall with Title I down roughly $200,000) and anticipates interest income around $2.9 million. On expenditures, collective bargaining salary increases for GEA and AFSCME in the budget reflect a 4.22% increase; the budget also includes a one‑time HMH curriculum purchase estimated at about $1.3 million and a network refresh (PON) that is budgeted high for this year but may be partially reimbursed via E‑Rate.
Discussion versus action: posting the tentative budget on display is a procedural action required under school code; the board did not adopt a final budget at the meeting. Additional public hearings and a final adoption vote are scheduled later in the process.
