Rantoul City SD 137 board approves amended FY2026 budget after no public testimony

The Rantoul City School District 137 Board of Education approved an amended fiscal year 2026 budget on a unanimous vote after a public hearing at which no members of the public offered comment.

The public hearing opened for the proposed amendment to the FY2026 budget and the board invited written and oral testimony; none was received. A board member moved to adjourn the hearing and later moved to approve the amended 2025–2026 budget "as presented." The roll call recorded affirmative votes from Deborah Sweat, Katie Johnston, Diana Mendoza, Robin Vaughn, Don Brotherton, Nick Padgett and Lauro Johnson.

The board discussed why the amended budget shows a deficit on paper before the vote. A district finance manager said, "We are in a deficit in the Ed Fund. I was very modest with the revenue," explaining that the budget conservatively did not assume a second June levy payment and that some categorical payments, including transportation funding, had not yet been received. The staff noted that some deficits were intentional—fund 60 was reduced to fund planned building projects—and that revenues received after the June 30 fiscal cutoff roll into the next fiscal year and will improve year-to-year comparisons.

Board members and staff emphasized that the tentative revised budget had been posted for public review with notice published in the News-Gazette at least 30 days before the hearing and that final balances were available in the meeting packet and on the district website.

Following the vote, board members were reminded to sign three budget signature sheets; the clerk indicated originals should be signed in blue ink. The board took no additional action during the public-comment portion of the meeting.

The approved motion and roll-call result mean the district will proceed with the amended FY2026 figures as presented and will record actual revenue receipts in accordance with fiscal-year closing and audit procedures.