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Berkeley School District 87 board adopts FY2026 budget, approves personnel, policies and energy-efficiency project
Summary
The Berkeley School District 87 Board adopted its FY2026 budget after a public hearing, approved multiple personnel actions and policy revisions, and voted to proceed with a ComEd energy-efficiency lighting and controls project with Twin Supplies; staff also recorded a consensus to transfer $500,000 into the transportation fund.
The Berkeley School District 87 Board of Education adopted its fiscal year 2026 budget and approved a slate of personnel and operational measures during a regular meeting that followed an earlier budget hearing. By roll call the board adopted the budget resolution as presented and carried motions to approve hires, leaves, policy revisions and an energy-efficiency agreement.
Board officers opened the meeting with a public hearing on the FY2026 budget where staff outlined primary revenue sources — local revenues, state funds and federal grants — and explained a planned allocation of $600,000 from evidence-based/PBF funding to the transportation fund to cover higher transportation costs and limited state reimbursement. After the hearing the board voted to adopt the FY2026 budget resolution as presented.
In personnel business the board approved the employment of licensed staff pending paperwork, including Edith Alba and Catherine Williams (a clerical correction noted that Williams’s placement is at Northlake). The board also accepted the resignation of Arlene Olivo, school nurse at Northlake, effective Sept. 29, 2025, and approved leave requests for Kayla Gandia, Brian Ellsworth and Valerie Buetz. Educational support staff employment — Ramon Diamano Gonzalez as a mid-shift custodian at Northlake effective Sept. 11, 2025 — and several support-staff leave requests were approved by roll call.
The board voted to waive first and second readings and approve a set of revised, new and rewritten board policies that staff said reflect legislative changes and do not require public review. The board also approved several PTO fundraisers and community events, including a popcorn fundraiser (Sept. 8–19), a Scholastic Book Fair, Trunk or Treat on Oct. 23, 2025, and a Hispanic Heritage Loteria night on Oct. 9, 2025.
On operations, staff presented a proposed ComEd Energy Efficiency Lighting and Controls project facilitated by Twin Supplies to install LED lighting and lighting controls at Jefferson Primary, Whittier Primary and the administrative center. District presenters projected annual energy savings of approximately $33,001.65 and a payback in a little over two years. Transcript figures for the district’s combined net cost after incentives appear in two nearby places as $67,105 and $67,001.05; the board carried the motion to approve the agreement to proceed payable after incentives are presented.
Separately, staff reported the transportation fund had higher expenditures and described a plan to transfer $500,000 from the education fund to the transportation fund by journal entry to avoid drawing on a limited fund balance; staff said the transfer is allowable and the board recorded consensus to proceed. Staff also warned of Cook County property-tax mailing delays caused by the county’s new software rollout, which could delay district receipts and prompted discussion of a possible working-cash loan resolution if tax revenue timing threatens December debt payments.
The board recorded its votes by roll call on each motion; motions were carried where noted. The meeting adjourned with the next regular board meeting scheduled for Oct. 27.
