District reports FY2025 operating surplus despite health‑insurance pressure; auditors praise finance team

Huntley Community School District 158’s finance team told the board on Nov. 13 that the FY2025 audit shows an operating surplus of about $1,140,000 despite an unfavorable health‑insurance trend.

Finance staff said salary vacancies and unbudgeted revenues (including solar array tax credits and a ComEd rebate) contributed to favorable variances that offset an approximately $1.3–$1.4 million health‑insurance deficit recorded during the year. The finance presenter noted the district received external grants and rebates tied to transportation electrification: the district has received $1.1 million in funding tied to additional electric buses from the Illinois EPA and an associated $450,000 ComEd grant/rebate related to prior bus purchases.

Auditor Chris Kallen of Evans, Marshall & Pease commended the business office for its preparation and controls. "This year's audit went very smoothly," Kallen told the board, saying he found "no findings, deficiencies or material weaknesses." Board members publicly thanked fiscal staff, including fiscal lead Jen Sikura, for the work that supported a clean audit.

At the same time, the board discussed ongoing structural pressures: rising health‑insurance claims and the effect of recent state evidence‑based funding changes that increase the district’s reliance on property‑tax revenue. The finance office said it will continue to monitor health‑insurance claims and pursue operational and policy options where appropriate.

The auditor’s report and the finance memo were included in the board packet; administrators said the final audit document will be posted with the district’s records.