Round Lake District says FY25 underestimates left it using reserves; tentative FY26 budget shows $5.3 million deficit

Round Lake Area Board of Education members on Monday were told an error in the FY25 budget left the district drawing down reserves and created a continuing deficit that administrators say will be addressed over the next school year. Doctor Mendoza, the district superintendent, told the board "money has not been stolen, and we can account for the budget shortfall," and described the root causes as underestimated staff salaries and special education tuition placements. The board voted to place the FY26 tentative budget on display and scheduled the required public hearing for Sept. 29, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the John T. McKee Cafeteria.

The superintendent said the FY25 shortfall resulted from two main miscalculations: staff salaries were under budgeted by "a little over $3,000,000" and special education costs were under budgeted by about $4.5 million for FY25. Those shortfalls required the district to use its savings — the district's cash reserves — to cover operating costs, a practice the superintendent…