La Grange SD 105 adopts tentative FY26 budget, shows limited net surplus after transfers

The La Grange Elementary School District 105 Board of Education on July 28 adopted a tentative budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 22, 2025 in the Gurrie Middle School Library Learning Center.

Finance presenter Steven Smidl told the board that "the district is presenting a budget that focuses on a net operating surplus within the operating funds for the 2025-2026 school year." He said that transfers from operating funds to restricted funds (debt service and capital projects) underpin the district's ability to fund debt and reserve capital projects.

The presentation listed operating revenues at $34,164,424 and operating expenditures at $36,087,466, yielding a gross operating deficit of $1,923,042. Restricted‑fund revenues were listed at $5,432,626 against restricted expenditures of $3,311,503; after transfers the packet shows a net operating budget surplus/deficit of $198,081.

Board members adopted the tentative budget by unanimous roll call and directed staff to publish the required notice for the September public hearing. The board packet and the posted tentative budget include the line‑item figures presented at the meeting; further detail will be available at the public hearing and in the official budget document.

Next steps: the district will display the tentative budget as required by law and hold the Sept. 22 hearing before adopting a final budget later in the fall.