ETHS board accepts FY25 audit, authorizes up to $17M in bonds and approves settlements and proclamations
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Summary
On Feb. 9 the Board accepted the FY25 annual comprehensive financial report (clean audit), approved a resolution authorizing issuance of up to $17,000,000 in general obligation bonds, authorized a no-fault settlement with FOIA requester Vince Espiniza (insurance to pay attorney fees), approved recalls from reduction in force and proclamations for Black and Women's History Months, and passed the consent agenda.
The Evanston Township High School District 202 Board of Education accepted the FY25 annual comprehensive financial report and acted on several fiscal and governance items at its Feb. 9 meeting.
Rudy Mayo, director of business services, told the board the district received a "clean audit opinion," and reviewed highlights: revenues of about $134,000,000 and expenditures around $142,000,000 produced a decrease in the general fund balance of roughly $4,200,000. Mayo identified key drivers—higher health-care costs, salary increases, and a $1.7 million decline in CPPRT revenue from FY24 to FY25—and noted process recommendations on unearned revenue timing, capital-asset reconciliation after a system migration to Tyler, document-retention procedures, and IT/data-security controls.
The board moved to accept the FY25 audit report and approved the motion by roll call. The administration emphasized it will bring a balanced tentative budget to the board in June and continue monitoring fund balances per board policy.
On the agenda for formal action, the board approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of general obligation limited tax school bonds "not to exceed $17,000,000" to refund outstanding bonds and increase the district's working cash fund.
Separately, the board approved a no-fault settlement agreement with FOIA requester Vince Espiniza and authorized the board’s insurance provider to pay attorney fees related to that settlement. The board also approved a resolution authorizing recall from reduction in force for educational support personnel.
The board passed proclamations designating February 2026 as Black History Month and March 2026 as Women's History Month; both resolutions were read aloud and approved by roll call. The consent agenda—approving a school maintenance project grant, Arts and Innovation Wing renovation phase 2 approval, 2026 roof replacement bid, minutes from Jan. 12, 2026 (regular and closed session), the November 2025 treasurer’s report, bills, and personnel report—was moved, seconded, and approved.
Board members repeatedly thanked staff for the audit work and administrative efforts to manage cash flow; administrators noted timing challenges due to late property tax distributions from Cook County and said they relied on timing flexibility such as the Illinois Prompt Payment Act where necessary.
Next steps: administrators will return with the balanced tentative budget in June, and staff said they will continue to provide detailed follow-up on audit process recommendations and capital-funding plans prior to any bond issuance or major contract commitments.
