District presents 2025–26 tentative budget; board sets public hearing for June 23

School District 4610 finance staff presented the district’s tentative 2025–26 budget at the May 12 board meeting and the Board of Education voted to place the proposed budget on public display and to schedule a public hearing for 6 p.m. on June 23.

The presentation reviewed the calendar and the assumptions behind revenues and expenditures, including local property tax growth, state Evidence‑Based Funding (EBF) projections and federal grant changes. A finance presenter said the district expects an assessed‑valuation growth of about 7.7 percent for the tax base used to calculate revenue.

The presenter told the board the district is projecting roughly a $1.2 million increase in state aid tied to EBF assumptions. At the same time, the district expects some federal grants to decline — Title III and Title IV in particular — removing about $200,000–$250,000 from next year’s federal revenue plan, the presentation said. The district’s revenue mix in the proposed budget was described as roughly 65 percent local, 27 percent state and 8 percent federal.

On capital and expenditure assumptions, the presentation listed planned projects and maintenance work: building lighting upgrades, a 10‑year life‑safety survey, front‑entrance and parking lot work at Lincoln and Irving, middle‑school renovations including a new secure front entrance, high‑school cafeteria remodeling, elementary classroom improvements and resurfacing/repairs at athletic fields. The presenter said air‑conditioning the district’s 1.2 million square feet of building space costs about $2 per square foot based on current estimates.

The board voted in favor of a motion to put the tentative fiscal‑year 2025–26 budget on public display and to publish notice of a public hearing June 23 at 6 p.m.; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote. Finance staff said the tentative display period is part of state requirements: the district must place the proposed budget on display for 30 days before final adoption and then submit the adopted budget to the Illinois State Board of Education by Sept. 15.

Presenters emphasized the district’s conservative budgeting approach — revenue estimates err on the low side and expenditure estimates err on the high side — and noted that the draft does not yet include a planned bond sale for Irving reconstruction; the bond will be added in an amended budget once construction bids and design estimates are finalized.

Board members asked whether Evidence‑Based Funding dollars must be spent in particular funds; presenters said EBF dollars are not restricted to a single fund but are typically used in areas that the state’s EBF cost factors identify. Staff also noted transportation reimbursements for special education are expected to be prorated at a lower percentage (presenter cited about 68 percent) than current levels.

The public‑display motion passed and the budget will be available for inspection during the 30‑day period preceding the June 23 public hearing.