Evanston Township High School board adopts balanced $118.4 million FY2026 budget; issues working cash bond notice

The Evanston Township High School District 202 Board of Education on Sept. 8 approved a final fiscal year 2026 budget of $118,400,000 after a lengthy presentation by Chief Financial Officer Kendra Williams and a public budget hearing held as the board acted as its finance committee.

Williams told the board the district is presenting a balanced budget for the 19th consecutive year and that the FY2026 plan keeps cash reserves and fund balances within the district's fund-balance policy ranges. She told the board the total budget is up 4 percent from FY2025 and that the operating budget is $102,400,000, a 2.9 percent increase.

The budget presentation highlighted the district's revenue mix and key risks: property taxes remain the district's largest revenue source (about 80-84 percent of revenues), the corporate personal property replacement tax (CPPRT) has declined over recent years and remains uncertain, and federal categorical funding can be volatile. Williams also warned the board that Cook County had not completed property-tax billing and that the district was again relying on fund balances for near-term cash flow while awaiting county billing.

Williams walked the board through several mitigating strategies used in the FY2026 plan: 0-based budgeting reviews at the department level, conservative revenue assumptions, targeted additions (including additional paraprofessionals in special education), and a capital plan timed around a proposed debt issuance that the administration said could reduce issuance costs.

After the budget hearing the board took multiple votes related to the budget and other agenda items. The board approved the final FY2026 budget by roll call. The board also approved the Bridal Park school budget, adopted a resolution directing publication of notice of intent to issue $6,000,000 in working cash fund bonds, approved a consent agenda that included minutes and personnel items, and later approved a separate set of nonbudget items (see "Votes at a glance").

Williams and board members repeatedly emphasized that while the budget is balanced, the district faces uncertainty in future years if CPPRT, state or federal funding declines further and if property-tax timing issues persist. Williams presented long-range fund-balance projections that showed the district must continue mitigation work to avoid slipping below its minimum fund-balance target.

Votes at a glance - Final FY2026 budget (motion: Liz; second: Pat) ' Approved by roll call (unanimous yes). - Bridal Park school budget ' Approved by roll call (unanimous yes). - Resolution of intent to issue $6,000,000 working cash fund bonds ' Approved by roll call (unanimous yes). - Consent agenda (minutes, treasurer's report, bills, personnel) ' Approved by roll call (unanimous yes). - Other formal votes at the meeting (see separate article sections) included approval of a theater renaming and adoption of a proclamation for Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month; both were approved by roll call.

What the board said Board members praised Williams and her team for producing a balanced budget amid rising costs and revenue uncertainty. Members said the budget reflected district priorities and values-driven decisions and commended the administration for transparency and the work of many staff across the district.

What comes next The board will file the final budget with the county clerk within 30 days. The administration will continue monitoring revenue streams (CPPRT, state and federal allocations) and the county's property-tax billing schedule and will implement the mitigation strategies outlined in the presentation.

Sources: CFO Kendra Williams budget presentation and board roll-call votes at the Sept. 8, 2025 board meeting.