Grayslake CCSD 46 officials disclose $3.8 million preliminary deficit, vow spending review and revenue follow-up

Interim Chief School Business Official Brad Goldstein told the Grayslake Community Consolidated School District 46 board on June 10 that the district's preliminary fiscal 2027 budget shows a projected operating deficit of about $3.8 million, a substantially larger shortfall than the roughly $1.03 million projected in January.

Goldstein and outgoing Superintendent Dr. Lynn Glickman attributed the swing to two main causes: revenue assumptions that overstated recurring income and steep expenditure increases. Administration said about $1.8 million in state grant revenue had been carried forward erroneously in the five-year forecast and property tax revenue was overstated by about $518,000. On the expenditure side, private-placement special-education tuition and related costs are running well above prior assumptions (administration cited increases in the 21–30% range), and health-insurance renewals are projected near 16–17% higher. Transportation reimbursement was described as covering roughly 37% of the district's transportation costs, increasing local funding pressure.

Goldstein presented the budget as a more accurate foundation for decision-making and said administration already identified roughly $400,000 in near-term budget improvements and about $1.05 million of savings tied to previously approved staffing changes. He also noted a new $2.5 million annual transfer out of operating funds to pay debt certificates, a planned cost that will affect operating reserves in FY27 and beyond.

Glickman told the board the revised forecast is "not what was expected" and that the district has begun reviewing departmental budgets and revenue opportunities. She and Goldstein said they are monitoring the Illinois state budget passed May 31 and awaiting the governor's signature; administration expects some additional evidence-based funding and mandated categorical increases that could reduce the shortfall but said they are not relying on that alone.

Board members asked about the timeline and next steps. Goldstein said the preliminary budget will be refined over the summer, with a tentative budget presentation planned for the August 12 meeting and a final budget due in September after a 30-day public display period. He also said the district will continue validating revenue assumptions, review planned investments and identify deferrals that minimize classroom impacts.

Board members pressed for detail on forecasting controls and audit timing after the discrepancy was discovered. Goldstein said the district's financial audit process is underway (the annual audit typically runs June–September with a report to the board in November) and described the issue as a forecasting and projection error rather than a transactional or reporting error. The board discussed arranging a postmortem review with the finance committee to identify where projections diverged from actuals and to strengthen oversight.

The administration emphasized that most of the district's operating budget — roughly 90% — is tied to contractual obligations, including salaries, benefits and vendor contracts, and therefore any material reductions will require careful planning. The board and administration also discussed longer-term options, including a potential county sales-tax measure that could generate additional restricted revenue for capital and debt service if placed on the November ballot and approved.

What happens next: administration will continue budget refinement, present a tentative budget in August, and return to the board with more precise revenue updates and proposed expenditure changes. "We are already taking action," Glickman said; Goldstein added the goal is to preserve classroom instruction while restoring fiscal stability.

Sources: Brad Goldstein (Interim CSBO) and Dr. Lynn Glickman, Grayslake CCSD 46 board meeting, June 10, 2026.