Joliet trustees adopt 2025–26 calendar, authorize $50,000 elementary and high‑school levy elections as grants expire

The Joliet School Board of Trustees approved a revised 2025–26 academic calendar and authorized two $50,000 general‑fund levy elections on March 18, citing the pending expiration of transformational grant funding that has supported career and technical education (CTE) and curriculum purchases.

Staff member (S3) reviewed the calendar committee’s work and recommended adoption of “Option 2 revised,” saying the committee incorporated staff feedback and sought to avoid shortening first‑semester instructional time. The board voted to approve the calendar unanimously.

Board members then discussed finance options after district staff summarized enrollment and budget projections. The district has relied on a Transformational Learning grant to fund equipment, curriculum adoptions and some staff positions; those grant dollars are scheduled to sunset, creating a recurring funding gap.

“Those investments have been lasting — at least the equipment — but when the grant goes away we need to decide whether to absorb positions and recurring costs into the general fund,” said staff member (S3).

Trustees considered two levy amounts presented by staff: a $25,000 option (about $2.66 per $100,000 of assessed value) and a $50,000 option (about $5.31 per $100,000). The board voted 6–2 to run the high‑school general‑fund levy election at $50,000 after public comment and debate. A separate motion to run a $50,000 elementary general‑fund levy election — recommended to address a projected ~$45,000 elementary shortfall driven by class‑size targets — passed unanimously (8–0).

Several trustees emphasized the need for clear voter communications because a general‑fund levy is permanent unless later altered by the board or voters. “If we decide to go ahead with the levy, we need to make sure that the public knows that money is well spent and where it’s going,” said Committee member (S11).

The meeting also included a lengthy personnel slate. The board approved the rehiring of tenured certified staff for 2025–26 and accepted a personnel action report that included resignations, a retirement and the hiring of an assistant high‑school track coach. Most personnel motions passed unanimously; one recommended non‑tenured (nepotism‑noted) contract recorded a tally of 7–2–0 with an abstention noted in the transcript.

What happens next: The district will finalize levy ballot language with the county (official ballot wording must be certified in early April) and will continue public outreach. Because state valuation and Department of Revenue figures will not be final until later summer, staff cautioned the final per‑$100,000 costs are estimates and could change.

Votes at a glance: • Adopt 2025–26 academic calendar (“Option 2 revised”): moved by Ken, seconded by Kathy. Vote: 8–0 (approved). • Call high‑school general‑fund levy election, $50,000: mover Karen; second Amanda. Vote: 6–2 (approved). • Call elementary general‑fund levy election, $50,000: mover Kathy; second Taryn. Vote: 8–0 (approved). • Rehire tenured certified staff for 2025–26: motion recorded; vote: 8–0 (approved). • Approve 03/18/2025 personnel action report (resignations/retirements/hire): motion recorded; vote: 8–0 (approved). • Publish intent to increase permissive levies (elementary and high school) for public notice per state law: motions recorded; votes: 8–0 (approved).

Budget context and fiscal notes: Staff told trustees the district projects a roughly $90,000 surplus in the high‑school general fund at present but noted that some staff funded by grants (for example, a counselor or CTE positions) would revert to district expense when grants end. The district expects to refine levy estimates after state valuation figures arrive; staff flagged that final taxpayer impacts could differ from early estimates and urged cautious language in public materials.

Board members scheduled follow‑up outreach and information for voters, and staff said they will return with finalized ballot language and updated projections once state data is available.