U-46 presents tentative 2025–26 budget: $909.1M including bond proceeds, public hearing slated for Sept. 8

School District U-46 finance officials presented a tentative fiscal-year 2025–26 budget to the Board of Education on June 16 that anticipates operating and capital investments while setting a public hearing timeline required by Illinois law.

Dr. Frank Williams, assistant superintendent of finance, and Dr. Anne Williams, deputy superintendent of operations, told the board estimated district revenues excluding bond proceeds are about $820,100,000 and that the administration plans remaining referendum bond issuance of $57,000,000 plus $35,000,000 in working cash bonds planned for February 2026. With bond proceeds included, the district reported estimated total revenues of approximately $909,100,000. Estimated expenditures were shown at about $957,900,000.

The presentation highlighted Unite U-46 capital allocations, including $126,000,000 for capital projects plus $10,000,000 for preventative maintenance, with a total estimated Unite U-46 capital allocation of roughly $136,000,000. The administration said it would continue refining projections and provide updates in August and September before a recommended final adoption date.

To comply with Illinois school code timelines the administration proposed: posting the tentative budget for public inspection on or before Aug. 9, publishing public notice, holding a public hearing on Sept. 8 and considering final adoption at the Sept. 22 board meeting; administration recommended formal consideration of adoption at the July 21 meeting for next steps in the process.

The finance team noted the budget was prepared while transitioning to a new financial software system and thanked staff for managing the parallel processes. The board did not take a final vote on the budget at the June 16 meeting; the administration will return with the formal resolution and supporting documents in subsequent meetings.