Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dunlap CUSD 323 board approves FY26 budget and authorizes roughly $44 million in debt certificates for new elementary school and facility work
Summary
The Dunlap CUSD 323 Board on Sept. 22 approved the FY26 budget 6–1 and passed a resolution to issue approximately $44 million in debt certificates to build and renovate district facilities, including a new elementary school; the board also approved $5.645 million in payments and a pool filtration purchase not to exceed $200,000.
The Dunlap Community Unit School District #323 Board of Education on Monday approved its FY26 budget and a resolution to issue approximately $44 million in debt certificates to build and equip a new elementary school and to fund renovations and site improvements across the district.
The board approved the FY26 budget by a 6–1 roll-call vote after a public hearing at which no members of the public spoke. Mick Hall moved to approve the budget and Youssef Boudjarane seconded; the motion carried with Board Member Theresa Holshouser voting no.
The board then approved a resolution authorizing the issue and sale of roughly $44,000,000 in debt certificates to pay for a new elementary school, building and renovating school facilities, and improving school sites. The resolution was moved by Board Member Youssef Boudjarane and seconded by Tim Wagenbach; the motion carried on a roll-call vote with Mick Hall voting no.
In related financial action, the board approved payment of the district bills totaling $5,645,221.04 (motion by Theresa Holshouser, second by Andrew Tyra) and approved purchase of a pool filtration system at a cost not to exceed $200,000 (motion by Andrew Tyra, second by Youssef Boudjarane).
Board members also authorized a semi-annual review to keep closed-session minutes from July 17, 2024 through Jan. 15, 2025 closed, and reviewed a personnel consent agenda that approved multiple hires across schools, transportation and nutrition services.
During the superintendent’s report, Dr. Dearman said there have been nine FOIA requests since the previous meeting, with two still in process, and offered a construction update: the new road allowing entrance to DHS and DMS off Cedar Hills Drive is expected to open in late September or early October. He also announced a Wilder-Waite public forum for Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. and noted that Dr. Matt Andrews was selected Administrator of the Year by the Association of Illinois School Library Educators.
The board requested that a finance committee be formed to follow up on financial matters; Board President Tom Feldman will work with Dr. Dearman to coordinate committee membership and timing. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
Votes at a glance: • Payment of bills — $5,645,221.04: approved; vote 7–0 (Holshouser, Feldman, Tyra, Hall, Wagenbach, Boudjarane, Yemm — Aye). • FY26 Budget: approved; vote 6–1 (Tyra, Boudjarane, Hall, Yemm, Wagenbach, Feldman — Aye; Holshouser — Nay). • Resolution to issue ~ $44,000,000 debt certificates: approved; vote 6–1 (Feldman, Tyra, Wagenbach, Boudjarane, Holshouser, Yemm — Aye; Hall — Nay). • Pool filtration system (≤ $200,000): approved; vote 6–0 (Feldman, Tyra, Boudjarane, Yemm, Hall, Wagenbach — Aye). • Semi-annual review of closed session minutes (July 17, 2024–Jan. 15, 2025): approved by voice vote, unanimous. • Human Resources consent agenda and hires: approved by roll-call vote, unanimous.
Next steps: The finance committee will be formed to oversee budget and capital financing matters; the timeline for issuing the debt certificates and specific project schedules were not specified in the minutes.
