The Township High School District 211 Board of Education on Aug. 14 approved a tentative 2025–26 budget and directed the superintendent to place the budget on public inspection for at least 30 days ahead of a public hearing at the board meeting on Sept. 18, 2025.

District presenters said the all-funds tentative budget projects that expenditures will exceed revenues by $8.3 million for fiscal year 2026, and that the district will rely on existing fund balance and timing of tax receipts to cover obligations. “Total revenue in the educational fund is budgeted to be approximately $272,000,000 for fiscal year 2026,” Controller/Treasurer Kathy Zalewski said during the presentation; she and a district presenter explained that staffing and benefits consume the bulk of the operating fund budget.

The presentation identified several drivers of last year’s deficit and of continued pressure this year: unusually high property tax refunds that reduced revenue by more than $7 million in 2025, delayed tax-increment-financing (TIF) surplus payments of about $1.7 million that were submitted but not received in the fiscal year, and higher employee benefit costs—projected to have ended FY25 $4.1 million unfavorable due largely to high-dollar medical claims and prescription costs. The district also noted the drawdown of federal ESSER stimulus funds and declining interest income as revenue headwinds.

Board members pressed administration on energy and capital spending. Trustees were told utility costs are rising—new electricity contract auction results will drive a roughly 38% rate increase for some services and roughly a 25% increase in utility budget line items—and that some energy-related costs reflect new delivery and other fees. District staff described energy-efficiency steps underway, including stadium-light replacements, ongoing LED retrofits in gymnasiums and hallways, and use of building automation systems to tighten temperature set points.

Capital spending for 2025–26 is budgeted at more than $14 million for major projects and about $4.3 million for routine maintenance. District staff told the board that roughly three large projects anticipated for summer 2026 include a locker-room renovation, an auditorium renovation and a chiller-plant replacement; some of the budget increase reflects carryover payments for projects started in summer 2025.

Administration told trustees that property taxes remain the largest revenue source—about 84% of total revenue—and that the district will receive a county-calculated cap-recapture levy this year that is expected to add an estimated $3.7 million in tax revenues. The presenters cautioned that state proration of funding and final state calculations are not yet finalized and could affect allocations.

Trustee Dombrowski recorded the lone vote against approving the tentative budget; the motion passed on roll call (Miss Cavill: Aye; Mr. Dombrowski: No; Mrs. Lopez: Aye; Ms. Russell: Aye; Mr. Rosenblum: Aye). The district will publish notice of the Sept. 18 public hearing and make the tentative budget available for public inspection.

Board President Steven Rosenblum opened the budget presentation and district staff answering board questions included Controller/Treasurer Kathy Zalewski and a district budget presenter identified in the meeting packet as Miss Hummel.

The district will present a revised five-year forecast with the levy presentation in October and said administration will pursue additional cost efficiencies, including benefit plan reviews, transportation and operations efficiencies, and evaluations of staffing models.

Approval of the tentative budget does not finalize levy rates; the board followed the recommended motion to approve the tentative budget and publish notice for the required public display and hearing.

Less-critical details: the education fund expenditures were presented at approximately $271 million and district presenters said staffing accounts for over 86% of the education fund expenses, with salaries representing approximately 70% of that fund.