The Board of Education of Community High School District 218 held a public hearing and regular meeting Thursday, Aug. 21, where board members approved the district's FY2025–26 budget as part of a consent agenda and took two separate action votes: a governmental agreement with the city of Palos Heights to provide a school community liaison, and a resolution authorizing up to $36,500,000 in general obligation limited-tax school bonds.

The public hearing on the proposed FY2025–26 budget included a staff readout of the district's revenue and expenditure estimates. The district reported estimated total revenues of $159,782,259 for FY2025–26 (including student activity funds) — a figure the district said does not include an estimated $80,000,000 in proceeds anticipated from a September 2025 bond sale. Estimated total expenditures (including student activity funds) were listed at $195,705,324, with $37,000,000 designated for capital projects. The board noted fund balances and long-term debt figures on the state budget form: an education fund cash balance of $71,026,165; working cash of $11,223,437; and outstanding long-term debt listed at $32,280,000 (not including approximately $7,000,000 of additional debt incurred in FY2024–25). The district said the state budget form will be posted on the district's website after board approval.

The resolution to adopt the FY2025–26 budget appeared on the consent agenda and was approved. Also on the consent agenda were routine items including approval of minutes, a continuing disclosure agreement with Raymond James, payment of bills and personnel recommendations.

On separate action items, the board approved a governmental agreement with the city of Palos Heights to provide a school community liaison; district speakers described the liaison as helping with traffic patterns and community policing near Richland. The board also approved a resolution providing for the issuance of not-to-exceed $36,500,000 in general obligation limited-tax school bonds to increase the district's working cash fund and to refund certain outstanding district bonds; the resolution authorizes a direct annual tax levy to pay principal and interest and authorizes sale of the bonds.

All recorded votes on the listed items were affirmative. Jennifer (board member) was absent; the recorded voting members were Steve, Tom, Carol, Nora, Sheila and Candace, who voted in favor on the consent agenda and the two named action items.

The board closed the regular meeting by moving into closed session for matters related to personnel, pending or probable litigation and a board self-assessment.

Votes at a glance
• Consent agenda (including resolution to adopt FY2025–26 budget; continuing disclosure agreement with Raymond James; payment of bills; personnel recommendations): Approved (unanimous among members present).
• 9a — Governmental agreement with the city of Palos Heights providing a school community liaison: Approved (unanimous among members present).
• 9b — Resolution authorizing issuance of not-to-exceed $36,500,000 general obligation limited-tax school bonds to increase working cash and refund certain bonds: Approved (unanimous among members present).