Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Skokie SD 69 warns federal grant losses and low state adequacy leave funding gap for FY26
Summary
Superintendent Margaret Clauson told the board that federal funding declines and a state adequacy target of 71% leave School District 69 operating with a significant funding gap for FY26; administrators are exploring local revenue options to sustain Community Schools. The board was briefed on CPPRT and state EBF allocations and warned of potential Cook County tax-timing risks.
Superintendent Margaret Clauson told the Board that the district is operating below the state's adequacy target and facing reduced federal support ahead of the 2025–26 school year. "For FY26, District 69's adequacy target is 71% (down from 75%)," Clauson said, noting the district remains Tier 1 and receives increased Evidence-Based Funding dollars but still short of full adequacy.
Clauson said federal grant allocations—Title I, II, III and IV—and several competitive grants that supported enrichment and school-based mental health were reduced or not renewed this year. She said these reductions threaten the full-day enrichment component of the summer program and have prompted the administration to pursue new grants and local funding models. The district will evaluate dedicating portions of EBF and TIF revenue to create a permanent local funding stream for Community Schools.
The Board also heard fiscal details: corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax revenue for FY26 is projected at just over $760,000 (an increase of about $15,000); total state funding for the district was reported at $7.45 million, roughly $695,000 more than FY25. Clauson warned that a delay in Cook County issuing second-installment property tax bills could create cash-flow pressure; she urged maintaining reserves to avoid service disruption.
Next steps include the administration finalizing the FY26 budget for approval in September and presenting specific local-funding models for Board consideration.
