CUSD 200 board votes to post tentative amended FY2026 budget after bond sale recap

The Community Unit School District 200 board voted to post a tentative amended fiscal year 2026 budget and set a public hearing for May 13, 2026, after a presentation from district finance staff detailing how a recent bond sale and shifting reimbursements affected the district’s projections.

Dr. O’Keefe reviewed a January bond sale that closed in February for $75.5 million. He said the average true interest cost for the issuance is about 3.56 percent and described the sale as favorable compared with earlier projections. The sale, combined with capital spending tied to the approved middle‑school referendum, was a main reason the district prepared an amended budget rather than the typical single annual budget.

On the revenue side, district leaders reported somewhat higher interest earnings and increases in Medicaid reimbursement expectations; they also cited about $850,000 in TIF reimbursements tied to Warrenville development. At the same time, Dr. O’Keefe warned of rising privately contracted special‑education placements and benefit costs: the amendment reflects roughly $2 million in additional expenditures tied to private placements and accumulated staffing/benefit changes, including 14 new out‑of‑district students and several placement shifts.

Board members discussed the amended budget and the five‑year forecast, asking questions about true interest cost, arbitrage considerations and the timing of capital spending. The board approved the motion to post the tentative amended budget for a 30‑day public comment period and scheduled the public hearing for May 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the school service center. The motion carried on a roll‑call vote.

The district will publish the state form and bring a final amended budget back to the board in May for adoption following the required posting period and hearing.