Board members and administrators spent a substantial portion of the Aug. 18 business meeting discussing how to use a fund balance the administration said was about $140–141 million as of June 30. The administration and trustees described a set of proposed capital priorities — school additions, facility renovations and a transportation hub — while some trustees and members of the public urged caution, saying money should be prioritized for staff compensation and classroom services.

Board member Joe Kosminski defended capital work as student‑centered, saying additions and a transportation facility improve the learning environment and daily service delivery. “A lot of the capital expenditures are improving student experience,” Kosminski said during the meeting.

Other trustees pushed for more community input and clearer measures tying capital spending to student outcomes. Board member Melissa Kelly Black asked whether the fund balance had earmarked uses and said she worried about approving large one‑time expenditures while the district faces contentious labor negotiations. Several speakers in public comment earlier in the meeting also urged the board to shift priorities from capital projects to teacher pay.

Administrators described projects already recommended for drawdown of the balance: renovation and addition work at Naperville North High School, an addition at Ranch View Elementary and site work for a new transportation facility. Trustees noted the board had authorized transferring $50 million into capital last year and that about $16.6 million had been spent of the planned projects to date. The board discussed a forthcoming recommendation on priority projects and asked the administration to return with fuller detail in October or November.

Concerns about specific proposals surfaced in public comment: a transportation hub figure cited by several commenters ranged from $14 million to $17 million, and residents asked why the district would build a large bus facility when a leased option exists. Trustees said the district would present details, timelines and funding recommendations before any vote.

No capital appropriations were approved at the Aug. 18 meeting. Trustees directed administration to return with a more complete capital‑use plan and community engagement opportunities before seeking action.