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Kankakee Valley School Corp holds public hearing on 2026 budget, capital projects and bus plan; no public comment
Summary
The Kankakee Valley School Corp held a public hearing Aug. 11 on the advertised 2026 budget, capital projects plan and bus replacement plan; staff described five required funds, an advertised property-tax rate of 1.0249 and a request for five regular buses. No patrons spoke; the board closed the hearing and will take final budget action at the next meeting.
The Kankakee Valley School Corp Board of Education held a public hearing Aug. 11 on the advertised 2026 school budget, capital projects plan and bus replacement plan and found the required notices were posted to the Indiana Gateway and the district website. No members of the public spoke during the hearing.
Mister Ritchie, who presented the budget overview, said the proposed plan covers the five required funds — including the education fund, debt funds, operations fund and a rainy day fund — and noted that state support for the education fund is tied largely to enrollment. He told the board the district had advertised a property-tax rate of 1.0249 for 2026. "The proposed budget has a total of 1,648 appropriations, and... $60,000,000," Ritchie said during his presentation.
Ritchie also summarized the bus replacement plan, saying the district is asking to purchase five regular school buses for 2026. "Bus prices continue to increase at least 10% per year, and their lead times right now are about one and a half years," he said. Staff emphasized that extended manufacturer lead times and rising costs are affecting procurement timing.
On capital projects, Ritchie referenced a 2023 facilities study by Barton that identified immediate and deferred repairs. Staff highlighted planned work that includes HVAC or pool-area repairs and roof or roofing-related projects identified for 2026.
After confirming that no patrons spoke during the public comment period, the board moved to close the hearing, noting compliance with Indiana code. The motion to close was seconded and approved by voice vote (recorded as 6-0). Board members were told that formal adoption of budget resolutions will appear on the agenda at the next board meeting and that the annual financial report will be submitted ahead of the Aug. 29 deadline.
What happens next: The board will return at its next regular meeting to consider formal budget adoption resolutions required to finalize the 2026 appropriations and tax levies.
