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Galesburg CUSD 205 adopts amended FY26 budget, citing private placements and technology costs
Summary
The Galesburg CUSD 205 Board adopted an amended FY26 budget on May 11, 2026. District staff reported a roughly $515,000 rise in education fund costs tied to private facility tuition and therapeutic placements, $415,953 added for Chromebooks and teacher laptops, and added reserves in the TORT fund for anticipated legal obligations.
The Galesburg CUSD 205 Board of Education voted on May 11, 2026 to adopt an amended fiscal year 2026 budget that increases spending in several key areas while preserving healthy reserves.
Natalie Thompson presented the final amended budget, saying the education fund increased by about $515,000 primarily for private facility tuition and higher-than-expected therapeutic placements. Thompson also told trustees the district added $415,953 to the technology equipment line for Chromebooks, teacher laptops and protective cases. In operations and maintenance, she said the board should expect an additional $139,000 tied in part to electrical work at Galesburg Junior/Senior High School and an estimated $132,946 utility bill covering December through the end of the fiscal year in June after a paused meter was corrected.
Thompson said the transportation fund rose by about $89,032, which included an $87,032 reallocation from the education fund to cover private facility transportation and a modest fuel-cost increase. She also said the Tort (liability) fund was increased by $500,000 from reserves to cover anticipated legal obligations.
On balances, Thompson noted that audited ending fund balances (not available when the tentative amended budget was shown previously) improved some projections: the education fund ending balance rose about $1.9 million compared with earlier estimates, driven by updated starting balances and lower employee benefit costs.
A board member asked whether county clerk estimates for tax year 25 would cover the amended budget; Thompson said a tentative computation showed the district’s rate came in at "471," roughly where the district had predicted, and that revenues and reserves were sufficient to cover the changes.
The board moved, seconded and approved the amended FY26 budget. No public comments were made specifically during the budget hearing portion of the meeting.
The amended budget reflects additional costs tied to placements and capital and technology investments. The board will continue to monitor reserve levels and the timing of reimbursements for federal/state funding streams as the district implements the revised plan.
