District 300 unveils FY26 tentative budget with planned $12.2 million deficit; $418 million spending authority requested

Community Unit School District 300 officials on Tuesday presented the district’s FY26 tentative budget, asking the board to display the budget for public review and publish a hearing notice. Chief Financial Officer Frank Williams outlined revenues and expenses that result in a planned deficit and detailed capital maintenance priorities tied to the district’s master facility plan.

Williams said the district anticipates roughly $405.7 million in revenues for FY26 and requests $418 million in spending authority, producing a planned deficit of about $12.2 million. He described the deficit as "planned" and not structural, noting administrators can adjust capital maintenance projects and timing during the fiscal year. "It's a planned deficit, meaning it’s not structural," Williams said.

Williams reviewed unaudited FY25 actuals and said District 300 expects an ending general fund balance of about $223.7 million (43.83% fund‑balance‑to‑expense ratio), above the board policy target of 30 percent. He said the fund balance is strategic, part of planned accumulation to support a master facility plan and to provide emergency liquidity.

On the revenue side Williams highlighted three legs: local (property taxes and interest), state (evidence‑based funding and categoricals) and federal (grants such as Title and IDEA). Williams said the district expects new revenue tied to the consumer price index at approximately 2.9 percent and that evidence‑based funding changes moved the district toward tier 2; federal grant allocations remain uncertain and the district is budgeting only confirmed amounts (about $16 million currently compared with historical expectations near $20–24 million).

Expense drivers include salaries and benefits (combined about 60 percent of the budget), purchase services and capital outlay. Williams projected salary increases tied to collective bargaining (roughly 5 percent) and benefit cost increases (about 11 percent). He listed about 23 capital maintenance projects totaling roughly $32 million to start next summer, including classroom additions and building renovations. Williams said some projects might be deferred depending on priorities and cash management.

The board approved a motion to display the FY26 tentative budget and publish the public hearing notice by roll call 7‑0. Williams said the tentative budget will be on display for 30 days and the administration will continue to refine revenue and expense estimates before recommending final adoption in September, with the state‑required budget filing due in the first quarter.

No final appropriations or tax levies were adopted at the meeting; the action authorized public display and notice only.