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Komarek SD 94 board reviews FY26 proposal showing $266,516 deficit; puts budget on public display
Summary
Business Coordinator Mike Pustelnik told the Komarek School District 94 board the proposed FY26 budget shows a $266,516.53 deficit driven by higher health insurance, out-placed student costs and a lower property-tax collection rate; the district will put the budget on public display ahead of a September hearing.
Komarek School District 94 trustees heard a budget presentation from Mike Pustelnik, the district's Business Coordinator, at their Aug. 12 meeting. Pustelnik said revenue guidance improved from an expected 10% drop to a 2% increase (about $113,395), but the FY26 proposed budget still shows a deficit of $266,516.53. He reported last year's revenue as $11,044,282.07 and expenditures as $11,259,410.75.
Pustelnik attributed the gap to several drivers, including a 13.5% rise in health-insurance costs, growth in costs for students placed outside the district for specialized services, and a reduced property-tax collection rate. "The deficit equals 16% of our fund balance which is well below the state threshold of 30% at which point would require a deficit plan," Pustelnik said. Superintendent Dr. Todd Fitzgerald told the board the proposed budget will be placed on public display and that a public hearing and formal approval are expected in September.
The board was also given the district's fund balances as of July 30, 2025: Education $992,640; Building $141,691; Bond $873,911; Transportation $277,416; IMRF $48,116; Working Cash $846,520; Life Safety $1,641; total $3,181,935. Board members were advised to expect the next regular meeting one week later (Sept. 16) to accommodate the 30-day public-display requirement for the budget.
