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District outlines FY26 budget assumptions; projects modest positive balance amid revenue uncertainty
Summary
Superintendent and finance staff presented initial FY26 budget assumptions: a projected $400,000 decline in tax revenue, conservative cuts to evidence-based funding, a $750,000 placeholder for curriculum adoption and an estimated $800,000 positive position before uncertain items; board will receive monthly updates.
Round Lake Area School District staff presented the board with the administration’s first look at assumptions for the fiscal 2026 budget during the Jan. 27 meeting.
Dr. Mendoza and finance staff said the district is projecting about a $400,000 decrease in tax revenue for FY26 tied to levy limits (the district noted Illinois levy rules limit increases to the lesser of 5% or CPI). The presentation said evidence‑based funding (EBF) is uncertain; staff built a conservative reduction into the draft, citing a roughly $500,000 drop this year and an additional $250,000 reduction in their working assumptions for next year. The district said final EBF figures will not be known until July or August and reminded the board that EBF allocations can vary year to year based on statewide formulas and district tiering.
Staff also listed several other assumptions: investment income down sharply in the draft (from about $2.8 million to $200,000 based on expected interest rate trends), a 10% budgeted increase in insurance costs, and a $750,000 placeholder for planned curriculum adoptions at the 9th‑grade, middle and potentially elementary levels. The memo included FY24 fund balance figures and noted the district intends to use fund balance for one‑time construction projects; staff referenced roughly $4.5 million in planned summer projects as an example and said using fund balance for one‑time capital work aligns with prior practice.
Despite those assumptions and some unfinalized items (retirement savings and staffing requests that typically resolve in late spring), staff reported a working positive position of about $800,000. Finance staff told the board that updated budget assumption spreadsheets will be provided monthly between now and June as conditions and actuals become clearer.
Board members discussed program equity for extracurriculars and the timing of capital projects. The finance committee previously reviewed the assumptions and personnel will present updated figures at future meetings.
No formal budget votes were taken at the Jan. 27 meeting; staff sought board oversight and asked for questions.
