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Morris School Board flags state-aid delay, schedules facility presentation and Sept. 15, 2026 referendum date
Summary
Board finance committee reported delayed state aid that is holding up final budget work, scheduled a facilities presentation for March 9, and outlined outreach plans ahead of a bond referendum tentatively set for Sept. 15, 2026.
The Morris School Board’s finance committee said the district cannot complete its budget until the state releases its state-aid numbers, and it outlined a schedule and outreach plan for a bond referendum once state input is known.
A finance committee member told the board that the release of the state aid number is delayed, and that the district therefore cannot finalize the budget. The district plans a preliminary budget review at the March 16 board meeting, with a public hearing and final formal approval scheduled for April 27 (advertising by April 20 pending county approval). The member said the district will post the adopted budget on its website by April 29.
Why it mattered: without the state-aid figure the district cannot finalize tax-impact scenarios or the bond ask. The finance report said state aid and bond-aid estimates are the missing inputs needed to define the referendum ask and associated tax impact.
The committee also updated the board on facilities and referendum outreach: a Buildings & Grounds presentation is scheduled for March 9 at 7:00 p.m. showing facility conditions; an ad hoc referendum committee has prioritized projects submitted to the state; and district volunteers will attend community events in March wearing “Ask me about the referendum” buttons and handing out QR-coded business cards linking to the referendum website. The committee advised that a full campaign will begin once state-aid and bond-aid numbers are received.
Additional finance details: transportation supply-chain problems continue — two 29-passenger buses ordered in October 2024 arrived in February 2026 — and the transportation department logged 499 trips in 2026 to date, producing about $60,000 in revenue for the year and nearly $16,000 in January. Facilities staff reported several heating-system issues over recent months, which board members said is one reason infrastructure needs were elevated to the referendum list.
Next steps: the committee recommended continuing outreach through March, hosting the facilities presentation March 9, completing the preliminary budget review March 16, and finalizing the referendum ask once the state provides aid figures; the district expects the referendum vote to be held Sept. 15, 2026.
