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Decatur SD 61 budget hearing: district projects a multi‑million shortfall, staff urge phased spending cuts
Summary
At a Sept. 23 public hearing the district presented a tentative FY2026 budget projecting roughly $151.6M in revenues against higher expenditures; officials said a $5M late federal payment and reserved CPPRT funds temporarily mask an underlying deficit that could reach about $6M without one‑time revenue.
Dr. Curry presented the tentative FY2026 budget for Decatur SD 61, saying "Our total revenues are projected to be a $151,628,191." He told the board the district currently projects total expenditures that produce a net deficit and that the apparent smaller shortfall is partly explained by restricted savings accounts and a one‑time federal payment booked to FY26.
Dr. Curry said the budget picture is complicated by restricted funds and timing. He described the $5,000,000 federal payment that arrived late and "has to be booked as FY26 revenue," adding that without that payment "our deficit would be closer to $6,000,000 for this coming year." He warned that relying on one‑time receipts is not a sustainable strategy.
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