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Mohammed Seemer administrators present FY2026 preliminary budget; board to consider approval Sept. 15
Summary
At a Sept. 8 budget hearing, district administrators said they adjusted preliminary FY2026 revenue upward to reflect updated evidence-based funding and plan to bring the budget to the board for approval on Sept. 15 before filing with county and state offices.
Administrators for the Mohammed Seemer Board of Education presented a preliminary fiscal year 2026 budget at a public budget hearing Monday, saying they increased revenue estimates to reflect updated state evidence-based funding figures and will return Sept. 15 for a formal approval vote.
At the Sept. 8 hearing, an administrator identified in the record as Dr. Lee said the district increased education-fund revenue by about $375,000 and increased the operations and building maintenance fund (Fund 20) by $25,000 to reflect more accurate evidence-based funding numbers released by the Illinois State Board of Education. Dr. Lee said expenditures in the packet remain the same as the version shown to the board on Aug. 4 and added the district would amend the budget next spring if additional needs or clearer numbers require it.
The preliminary budget, Dr. Lee said, will be on the board agenda for approval at the board’s Sept. 15 meeting; if approved, it will be filed in the appropriate county offices and with the Illinois State Board of Education. Dr. Lee told board members she had been conservative in estimating the additional evidence-based funding and could have budgeted more but chose to add approximately $400,000 total to be prudent.
Board members asked procedural questions about timing and about state grant releases. Dr. Lee said she had discussed the state’s timing with the chief financial officer for the Illinois State Board of Education and that preliminary state grant numbers were being released; she encouraged board members to contact her with questions before the Sept. 15 vote.
Discussion at the hearing made clear the board has not taken formal action on the FY2026 budget: the administrators presented a preliminary draft, and a formal approval vote is scheduled for Sept. 15. The board later moved to close the public meeting to consider personnel matters under the exception for appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees; the motion to enter closed session carried after a second and a roll-call “yes” vote.
The board packet includes the draft budget and supporting schedules; administrators said they will return with any amendments if subsequent information (for example, final state funding notices) warrants changes.
For members of the public who want to review the documents, Dr. Lee said the preliminary budget is in the board packet and that questions may be directed to her office between meetings.
