District 99 third‑quarter report: revenues on target; tuition and tutoring costs rise, transportation savings easing pressure

A district staff presenter told the Community High School District 99 board the district’s third‑quarter financial report shows revenues tracking “right on target” with the amended budget and that interest earnings are slightly higher than last year.

The presenter said one state categorical payment was behind, leaving a shortfall that the district expects to catch up when the state completes the payment. On expenditures, the report flagged two pressure points: tuition for out‑placed students and higher tutoring costs attributed to a number of hospitalized students. The presenter said tutoring is expected to exceed its budget for the year.

At the same time, administrators reported savings in transportation costs that are expected to offset some of those overages. The district said it worked with First Student and a district team to reduce special‑education route costs. The board was told First Alt — a new division of First Student that operates school‑based, single‑student rides at lower cost — is being used for some routes and has been less expensive for certain McKinney‑Vento students who must be transported longer distances.

“We worked really hard as a team within the district and we worked with First Student and we've been able to reduce those costs,” a board member said, and the finance presenter described the transportation savings as “significant” enough to help offset higher tuition costs.

Administrators also said operations and maintenance costs, particularly utilities, are tracking near budget after last year’s spike; the district worked with a consultant to project energy costs and does not anticipate additional increases from the utility (ComEd) before July.

On special‑education transportation more broadly, staff said Sunrise Southwest Transportation improved driver recruitment and retention this year, prompting a recommendation to approve a three‑year contract extension at a 4% annual rate increase. The district noted the Sunrise arrangement is part of an overarching contract structure shared among multiple districts, which enables shared rides and cost splits when students from different districts use the same route.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the drivers of savings, references to consultants and the mechanics of shared routes for students living in shelters; staff responded that three districts combine two buses to pick up students living in nearby shelters and that the combined rides reduced individual route costs.

Administrators concluded the district currently looks likely to end the fiscal year in a stronger position than originally projected, but they cautioned another quarter remains and unexpected expenses could arise.