Community High School District 117

The budget includes discussions and estimates for various funds including the Educational Fund, Operations and Maintenance Fund, Debt Service Fund, and Transportation Fund. Key topics include estimated beginning and ending fund balances, receipts/revenues from local, state, and federal sources, and disbursements/expenditures for instruction, support services, community services, and debt service. It also covers revenues from ad valorem taxes, payments in lieu of taxes, tuition, transportation fees, earnings on investments, food service, district/school activity income, textbook income, and other local revenue sources. The budget outlines expenditures by major object such as salaries, employee benefits, purchased services, supplies & materials, capital outlay, and other objects.

The presentation covers the FY26 budget, including major factors impacting it such as revenue increases from tax revenues, state grant revenues, and evidenced-based funding. Expenses are projected to increase due to salary increases, employee benefit expenses, major capital projects, out-of-district tuition, and Chromebook replacements. The budget includes comparisons of revenues and expenditures across various funds and historical data.

The CHSD 117 Strategic Plan (2023-2026) and Portrait of a Graduate were developed through a coalition of over 90 stakeholders, including students, staff, parents, alumni, and community members. The plan focuses on defining the competencies needed for District 117 graduates to succeed in learning, work, and life. These competencies include critical thinking, embracing diversity, collaboration, communication, perseverance, emotional intelligence, and empathetic courage. The plan also sets strategic goals and annual measures to track progress and ensure accountability in developing these competencies in students over the next three years.

The 2023-2026 Strategic Plan for Community High School District 117 focuses on developing six key competencies in its graduates. The plan was developed through a coalition of students, staff, parents, community members, and partners. It outlines goals across four themes: Teaching and Learning (curriculum audit, professional development, improved collaboration), Meeting the Individual Needs of Students (MTSS improvement, social-emotional learning expansion), Student Support (student voice, extracurricular activities), and Community, Collaboration, and Culture (communication improvement, equity initiatives, community engagement). The plan also addresses securing the future through faculty recruitment and retention, facilities planning, and fiscal responsibility. The plan includes specific goals and metrics to track progress and ensure accountability.