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Round Lake board reviews FY26 shortfall, FY27 draft shows $2.6M revenue increase as capital funds near depletion
Summary
Board reviewed initial FY26 and FY27 draft budgets April 6; administrators projected a FY26 revenue shortfall of roughly $222,000, flagged rising capital costs (baseball/softball project) and presented a FY27 draft that relies on levy and state funding increases, prompting questions about facility funding and contingency plans.
Board President Francisco presided over the April 6 meeting of the Round Lake Area Board of Education as finance staff presented initial draft budgets for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and discussed capital-project funding and operating assumptions.
The board heard that the FY26 draft currently projects a year-end revenue shortfall of about $222,000, driven primarily by lower-than-expected earnings on investments, while overall operating revenue is forecast to increase by roughly $78,000 compared with the adopted budget. "We will likely end the year with a shortfall in revenue of about 222,000," the treasurer told the board as she reviewed the draft figures.
Administrators also highlighted increases in capital-project estimates, notably a baseball and softball field project that revised the forecast from $3.5 million to about $4.2 million and will require an end-of-year transfer to restore the capital fund balance. The district plans to monitor final project costs and return with a recommended transfer amount later this year.
Looking to FY27, staff presented an initial operating forecast that shows roughly $2.6 million in additional revenue, largely attributable to levy growth, the reallocation of corporate property taxes to operating funds, and projected state funding increases. "We're expected to take in about $2.6 million worth of new revenue," a district budget presenter said while outlining the FY27 assumptions.
Trustees asked detailed questions about staffing and purchase-service line items, the district's approach to filling positions now paid for through contractors, and the lack of contingency in the capital-project budget. One trustee voiced concern that zero dollars were currently budgeted for capital projects in FY27 and asked how the district would respond if a critical facility system failed; administrators said operations budgets would address repairs but acknowledged large projects will require separate funding solutions.
During public comment earlier in the meeting, parent Trisha Schneider urged the board to formally vote to recommend placing the county school facility occupation tax on the November ballot so residents could decide on funding for district needs. "As a district with 5% of the county student population ... we would greatly benefit from that tax," Schneider said.
The board approved the draft amended FY26 budget and the FY27 draft as presented to allow continued review and refinement in finance committee and subsequent board meetings. Next steps include continued line-item reconciliation, further review of capital-project forecasts and potential community engagement around facility funding options.
Votes at a glance: the board voted unanimously to approve the FY26 draft amendment and the FY27 draft (roll calls recorded during the meeting).
