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District unveils interactive budget book; board weighs 4.18% levy, fund‑balance tradeoffs and a capital‑reserve proposition
Summary
Dr. Ley and staff demonstrated a new interactive budget application and reviewed projected 2027 revenue and spending, including a proposed 4.18% levy scenario, a $177.6 million budget projection and a capital‑reserve proposition to replenish bus and small‑project funds.
Dr. Ley presented an interactive "budget book" application to the Facilities & Finance Committee as a new way to publish the district's budget and related propositions. The tool, staff said, will allow residents to drill into revenues, expenditures and the propositions that will appear on the May ballot.
Staff summarized revenue assumptions for the 2027 projection: an anticipated levy based on a 4.18% tax‑cap calculation with an illustrative levy of about $119,840,000 and state aid reported at roughly $42 million. The full projected budget figure shown was $177.6 million, a 5.09% increase over the prior year.
Dr. Ley and staff reviewed expenditure composition using the state‑required three‑part presentation: the program (instructional) component was projected at about $131.9 million (roughly 74% of the budget), capital at about $24.7 million (rising to a projected $26.46 million) and administrative costs near 10.8% of the total. Staff said salaries and benefits account for about 70% of expenditures.
Committee members discussed tax‑cap scenarios and the use of fund balance. Staff modeled lower levy options (3.18% and 2.18%) and said those options would require additional use of fund balance (roughly $1.1 million and $2.3 million respectively) or corresponding program or personnel reductions if sustained. Staff cautioned that dipping into reserves raises fiscal risk and can affect long‑term stability.
The committee also reviewed a capital‑reserve proposition that would re‑establish a multi‑year vehicle for self‑funding bus replacements and smaller capital projects; the district established a $10 million reserve in 2022 that was funded over multiple years and is now largely depleted, staff said. Reauthorizing a reserve would allow the district to set aside funds when available instead of borrowing for each bus purchase.
On routine business, the treasurer reported steady investment yields (about 3.6%) and staff noted non‑budget grants received: $1,000 from Charities Aid Foundation America and just under $16,000 from IPI for teacher grants. Staff also said the district will bill roughly $180,000 to other districts for health and welfare services provided to private‑school students and recommended continued participation in a cooperative purchasing arrangement for supplies and food service.
Staff said the budget book will be a "living document" that will be updated as final rates and figures are confirmed and that the district plans to make the link available after the next full board meeting.
