Rockford Board approves fiscal year 2026 budget, board told operating funds are about $500,000 short

The Rockford Public Schools Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution adopting the district's fiscal year 2026 budget, while staff told the board the operating funds remain about $500,000 short of a fully balanced budget. Board members voted 6-0, with one member absent, to adopt the resolution after a short discussion about budget balance and monitoring. "It's about $500,000 short overall in the operating funds," a district staff member said, adding: "we will manage through to have a balanced budget, I believe, by the end of the fiscal year." The staff member also said the board would receive monthly financial statements and updates. The board discussed whether additional steps could avoid passing an unbalanced budget before the vote. Miss Pearson asked how often updates would be provided; staff replied the financial statements would be presented monthly. The budget resolution passed with six votes in favor and one member absent. No changes to the resolution were recorded in the meeting transcript. The board plans to monitor revenues and expenditures through regular financial statements and will provide monthly updates to members as the district works to close the remaining shortfall.