Oak Park‑River Forest SD 200 reviews $91 million operating budget, fund‑balance policy and Project 2 update

Oak Park‑River Forest SD 200 board members and staff held a community engagement session on April 28, 2025, to review the district’s finances, capital spending and related policies. Presenters said the district’s operating budget is roughly $91,000,000, with local property taxes as the primary revenue source and state and federal dollars accounting for smaller shares.

The session aimed to explain “what the board is responsible for versus what the district leadership team is responsible for,” speakers said, and to give community members context on budget choices, reserves and major capital work. The board emphasized that policy changes adopted in recent years now codify a 25–50% fund‑balance guideline and clarify the budgetary process used to set levy and capital decisions.

Fred, staff member, presented the budget overview and said, “Our operating budget is roughly $91,000,000.” He described the district’s revenue mix as led by local property taxes with smaller amounts from investment earnings and food service sales, and noted that state funding is provided through the state’s evidence‑based funding model. Tony, staff member, confirmed the state allocation method, referring to “the evidence based funding model” used to distribute state resources to districts.

On expenditures, presenters said personnel costs dominate…