Round Lake CUSD 116 board adopts amended FY26 and FY27 budgets, approves related financial resolutions

The Round Lake Area Schools Board of Education unanimously adopted an amended fiscal‑year 2026 budget and approved the district’s fiscal‑year 2027 budget during its June 15 meeting at Round Lake High School.

Administration told the board the FY26 amended budget increases operating revenues by about $473,000, primarily from grant carryovers, but that tuition/registration collections are running roughly $100,000 below the original estimate and investment earnings about $290,000 lower. The presenter said operating expenditures for the amended FY26 budget are forecast to be about $120,000 lower overall, while key increases include insurance and benefits tied to new hires and a reclassification of bus lease payments from purchase services to other objects. Capital projects spending was raised by roughly $1.1 million to cover bid and project overages; administration reported projected fund‑level balances showing a combined operating deficit near $2.6 million, a debt‑service deficit near $857,000, and capital projects shortfalls.

For FY27, administration presented a tentative budget that assumes roughly $2.6 million more in operating revenues, driven mainly by an estimated $1.2 million increase in evidence‑based funding and about $1 million in tax‑levy growth. Projected operating expenditures were presented as declining by about $361,000 versus the amended FY26 estimate, producing an anticipated FY27 operating surplus of about $392,000 under current assumptions. Officials cautioned that the evidence‑based funding figure is an estimate based on the district’s FY26 increase and that the state’s actual allocation is expected in late August or early September.

Board members asked for and received clarification on the lower tuition and registration revenues, which administration attributed to declining enrollment and substantial outstanding registration balances; the finance committee packet contains a registration‑fee collection report that the board reviews. The district also noted it expects to shift certain lease and Apple equipment payments into the debt service fund to comply with audit guidance.

After discussion, the board approved the FY26 amended budget by roll‑call vote (Mrs. Negradi McInley, Mr. Francisco, Mr. Dao, and Mr. Jwitt voting yes). It then approved the FY27 budget by unanimous roll call.

The meeting also included adoption of a bundle of routine financial resolutions: designation of interest‑earning transfers and authorizing transfers to Fund 60 (identified by administration as the fund most in need), and a resolution authorizing fund‑balance transfers into Fund 30 to cover debt‑service and lease obligations (including a recently executed Apple lease). The board also adopted FY27 governance resolutions designating depositories and signatories, naming a school treasurer and chief investment officer, approving the treasurer’s bond, and setting adult meal prices to meet National School Lunch Program requirements. All motions were carried by unanimous roll call.

The district’s administration emphasized that the FY26 amended budget reflects corrective measures taken during the year—efforts officials said reduced a previously projected larger deficit—and that the FY27 budget relies on several revenue and contractual assumptions that could change when final state allocations and labor agreements are known. The board scheduled no further immediate votes on the budgets and closed the public session to pursue closed‑session business.

Votes at a glance: Adopt FY26 amended budget — motion by Mr. Jwitt, second Mr. Divera; outcome: approved (4–0). Adopt FY27 budget — motion by Mr. Jwitt, second Mr. Dao; outcome: approved (4–0). Adopt FY26 financial resolutions and FY27 governance resolutions — approved (4–0).