Maureen Backe

The Finance Committee reviewed the year-to-date financial statements as of December 2025, noting no major variances since the previous update. Discussions included the Transportation Fund, which currently faces a deficit covered by working cash, exacerbated by increased First Student costs due to special education scheduling needs. The committee explored potential solutions, including renegotiating the contract with First Student and rethinking transportation for 5th-grade music programs. The potential need for four temporary classrooms at Evans was addressed, with alternatives such as building an addition being considered, although it would not be ready until the 2027-28 school year. Summer school operations are being consolidated to one elementary school due to the loss of the Community Schools grant funding. Finally, an update on County School Facility Tax (CSFT) funds showed revenue running ahead of budget, allowing for planned track repairs and the split funding of the KJHS roof project across two fiscal years.

The committee received an update on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 audit, with an unmodified opinion reported across all opinion units and no findings. The release of final financial statements and audit reports depends on the Federal government issuing the Federal single audit supplement. The September and October 2025 year-to-date financial statements were distributed, with no specific items requiring notation or discussion. A year-end projection for the Educational Fund as of October 2025 indicated overall expenditures are tracking in alignment with the budget. An update was provided on the proposed Community Solar Agreement, establishing a 10-year initial period with potential renewal periods and a fixed 20% credit on the District's Ameren utility bill. The committee discussed the proposed resolution for membership in The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) and the School Maintenance Grant opportunity. Recommendations for the 2025 Levy were presented, with a reduced EAV growth estimate and recommendations for setting the Educational Fund levy rate to the maximum statutory rate.

The special meeting was convened to publicly discuss the superintendent search process and the transition to a new superintendent, following the announcement of the current superintendent's retirement plans at the end of the school year. Board members with prior experience in superintendent searches were identified to assist in the process. There was a consensus among Board members to promptly review search firms and commence the search for a new superintendent. A proposed timeline was discussed, with the potential for naming a firm at the November 13 regular meeting.

The committee discussed the proposed budget for FY2021 and reviewed the un-audited actual figures from FY2020, highlighting deficits in most funds due to delays in property tax receipts. The administration expects to receive the delayed tax revenue in FY2021 and conservatively projects no increase in the 2020 levy over the 2019 levy due to COVID-19 uncertainty. Challenges on the expenditure side for FY2021 include ongoing negotiations with UFEA and UFSPA and increased spending for COVID-19 supplies. The District has a structural deficit in the Educational Fund and will need to transfer $13 million from Working Cash to cover it.

The committee reviewed the Transportation Services RFP, with First Student submitting the lowest proposal. They also discussed the District-Wide Radio Communications System RFP, with JES & Sons 2-Way as the only vendor. A potential solar project at Northpoint Elementary School was presented, along with preliminary discussions about the 2023-2024 budget.