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ETHS board approves tentative FY2026 budget after CFO outlines tight, balanced plan
Summary
Evanston Township High School District 202 presented a tentative FY2026 budget of $118.1 million and approved it by roll call on June 9. District leaders described the budget as balanced but constrained by uncertain state and federal revenue streams and continuing reliance on property taxes.
The Evanston Township High School District 202 board approved a tentative fiscal year 2026 budget of $118,100,000 at its June 9 meeting after a presentation by Chief Financial Officer Kendra Williams and remarks by Superintendent (Doctor) Campbell.
Williams said the tentative budget represents 19 consecutive years of balanced budgets and that the overall FY2026 total is 4.4% higher than FY2025. The district’s operating funds (education, operations and maintenance, transportation, working cash and tort) are budgeted to increase 2.6% overall. Property taxes remain the district’s largest revenue source, accounting for roughly 84% of budgeted revenues, Williams said; the budget assumes a blended levy increase based on 3.4% (2024 levy) and 2.9% (2025 levy) CPI limits.
Williams told the board the budget team used value‑based and zero‑based budgeting tools to prioritize instruction and student well‑being while trimming other costs. Salaries and benefits make up the largest share of expenditures — about 80% when combined (salaries ~71%, benefits ~9%) — and are budgeted to increase about 4.3% driven largely by negotiated contracts.
The presentation highlighted several risks and unknowns: the level and timing of CPPRT (“Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax”) receipts, uncertainty about federal categorical and Title funding levels, and potential state actions that could shift pension costs. Williams said the board should expect continued monitoring and possible mid‑year adjustments and that the tentative budget would be posted for public inspection with a public budget hearing set for Sept. 8 and final approval planned for September.
After discussion, the board approved the tentative budget by roll call vote during the meeting. No board member announced dissent on the record.
Key figures presented at the meeting: - Total tentative FY2026 budget: $118,100,000 (4.4% increase over FY2025). - Operating budget increase: 2.6%. - Salaries and benefits combined: ~80% of expenditures; salaries budgeted to rise ~4.3%. - Property taxes: ~84% of revenue; levy growth limited to lesser of CPI or 5% (budget used blended CPI assumptions of 3.4% and 2.9%). - Next steps: tentative budget posted for at least 30 days; budget hearing Sept. 8; final adoption in September and filing with county clerk within 30 days of adoption.
Board members asked for contingency approaches should federal or state revenues fall short; Williams said the district is developing contingency steps, would try to limit classroom impacts and could draw on fund balance if necessary.
The board approved the tentative FY2026 budget by roll call vote at the June 9 meeting.
