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Sycamore treasurer warns January tax advance smaller than last year; board to monitor cash balance
Summary
Finance staff reported the month-end financials and said revenue was higher than anticipated in October but January tax advances will be lower this year (about $3.8M expected versus $8M last year), a shift that could move the district closer to its 25% operating cash threshold and will be tracked in the February forecast update.
Sycamore Community School District finance staff presented the monthly financial report for the period ending Dec. 31, 2025, and previewed a mandatory forecast update scheduled for February.
The presenter said revenue has been stronger than anticipated in some areas — partly due to a new performance and growth supplement — which will be reflected in the forecast. At the same time, the district received a smaller January tax advance than last year: the presenter said the first advance yielded no payment this January and the second request expected the next day was for approximately $3,800,000, compared with roughly $8,000,000 in advances received last January.
Finance staff warned that the reduced advances could pressure the district’s operating cash balance and said they will watch a 25%-of-operating-expenditures threshold closely when preparing the February update. Trustees asked about expenditure trends, vendor negotiations and the rising costs of transportation and services for students with disabilities. Administration said they are monitoring wages and benefits closely and negotiating vendor pricing to control expenditures.
The board approved the financial report on a roll call vote. Administrators said they will provide an updated February forecast and additional details about transportation and special-education cost drivers at the next round of financial updates.
