Stevenson High board adopts $101.6 million budget
Stevenson High School officials have adopted a $101.6 million budget for the new fiscal year, one that's a bit leaner than its predecessor.
The spending plan is down about $6 million from the previous budget, a decrease of about 5.6 percent.
In contrast, the district's revenues are expected to be greater in the 2016 fiscal year, which began July 1.
Revenue is projected to be $105.2 million for the year, up from $101.3 million in 2014-15. That's an increase of nearly 4 percent.
The revenue boost and spending drop will result in a surplus of about $3.5 million, Stevenson spokesman Jim Conrey said.
That money may be used to offset the potential impact of a statewide property tax freeze that's been proposed by Gov. Bruce Rauner, Conrey said.
The school board approved the budget Monday.
Projected spending is lower than the previous budget in part because fewer construction projects are planned for summer 2016, Conrey said.
This past summer's projects included classroom renovations, the reconstruction of a parking lot and the creation of a study area for struggling students.
The projects planned for summer 2016 include bathroom and hallway lighting upgrades, office renovations and the reconstruction of the main parking lot in front of the school, Conrey said.
That parking lot work is expected to cost between $825,000 and $1.3 million, he said.
The price tag for next summer's projects won't be finalized until October, but they're expected to cost between $4 million and $8.5 million, Conrey said.
Spending also is expected to be lower than the previous year because officials aren't repeating a $4.9 million debt payment made this past January.
"(It was) a unique opportunity," Conrey said. "For homeowners (it) would be like paying down the principal on their mortgage."
As always, employee salaries and benefits comprises the bulk of the spending budget.
As for the district's anticipated revenue, that column is larger than the previous year's primarily because officials expect to collect more property-tax revenue. New construction and inflation are boosting the tax levy, he said.
Student fees are increasing by $50 per teen, too, primarily to contribute to the cost of their iPad tablets, Conrey said.