Kaneland board approves $496,000 amendment to operations fund to cover electricity, site work

The Kaneland Community Unit School District 302 Board of Education approved a 2024–25 budget amendment to add $496,000 to the district’s Operations and Maintenance Fund at a special meeting; the motion passed 7–0.

The amendment is intended to cover higher-than-expected electricity costs, $200,000 for site improvements at John Shields School and roughly $46,000 for capital and noncapital equipment purchased at four schools. "The biggest one being electricity costs," said Dr. Jackie Bogan, who presented the amendment to the board and was serving as secretary pro tem.

Board members heard that the $496,000 figure is a conservative, "all-in" estimate. Dr. Bogan told the board the district expects actual expenditures for the remainder of the fiscal year to fall between about $290,000 and $315,000. "This is for the current fiscal year," Dr. Bogan added.

The district provided a school-by-school breakdown of the anticipated electricity increases; officials explained some sites, including John Shields, may show different amounts because of local factors such as on-site solar generation. Board discussion confirmed renewable generation at district sites is net-metered and is credited toward the district’s electricity accounts.

A public hearing on the amendment was opened and closed with no public comments. The board approved the amendment on a motion moved by Mr. McCauley and seconded by Ms. Simmons; the roll call vote was Cook—Aye, McCauley—Aye, Lawler—Aye, Stalcock—Aye, Mankivsky—Aye, Kliesner—Aye and Simmons—Aye.

District staff noted that noncapital purchases are defined as items under $5,000 and capital equipment as items above that threshold, and emphasized the board’s approval sets the maximum the district may spend under the amended line items. The board approved the amendment as written; district staff will implement within the approved limits and report updates to the board in future financial reports.