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Berwyn South details budget assumptions, education center work; board renews food service and approves Emerson asbestos abatement
Summary
District finance staff reported a $72.3 million bank balance, outlined FY25/FY26 budget assumptions and noted an August Cook County tax delay. The board approved a food service renewal with Organic Life and authorized asbestos abatement at Emerson Elementary.
District finance staff told the Berwyn South SD 100 board the district’s bank balance stood at about $72.3 million and walked trustees through amended FY25 numbers and FY26 draft assumptions during the May meeting.
Finance staff reported month-to-date revenue for May of about $3.3 million and April revenue of about $4.5 million, with year-to-date revenue near $59.1 million and year-to-date expenses around $52.3 million. The district described current budget assumptions including a levy cap tied to the consumer price index (CPI) at 2.9 percent, a projected 9 percent increase in benefits, and likely reductions in federal and state grants as COVID-era funding ends.
The finance presentation flagged specific prorations in mandated categorical reimbursements: regular transportation at about 71 percent, special education transportation at about 61 percent and private-facility reimbursement at about 70 percent. Staff warned that Cook County has announced an anticipated delay in August tax billing that will shift the district’s receipts; the district said its fund balance would cover timing differences.
On capital work, district staff said the education center site has had storm sewers installed, roughly 50 semi loads of dirt removed, grading to subgrade and a water main cap coordinated with the city. Staff said a construction superintendent is on site overseeing daily work.
Consent agenda items approved at the meeting included a year-1 renewal of the district’s food service contract with Organic Life and authorization for asbestos abatement work at Emerson Elementary to begin after school ends. The Organic Life renewal is the first of four one-year extensions provided under the district’s five-year contract structure; board members said families and students report positive feedback about the service. The Emerson abatement is scheduled for the upcoming summer.
Board action: the consent agenda (excluding an item pulled for separate discussion) passed by roll call. The board later approved the pulled item and the remaining consent items, including the Organic Life renewal and Emerson abatement, by roll call vote (recorded as aye by the assembled trustees; motion carried).
District staff said the FY26 draft currently shows a higher capital need tied to the education center — staff estimated capital costs closer to $10 million versus the $2.5 million figure used elsewhere — which would produce a deficit on the FY26 page but remain coverable from fund balance. Staff said projected fund balance after adjustments would be about $57 million.
The board did not change budget direction at the meeting; staff will bring the final amended FY25 budget for adoption in June and present the tentative FY26 budget in July.
