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New playground part of Wauconda District 118 budget

A new playground at Wauconda Grade School and roadway improvements at Wauconda High are among the projects receiving funding in Wauconda Unit District 118's latest annual budget.

The school board tentatively approved the $69.8 million plan Thursday night. It projects spending and revenue for the 2018 fiscal year, which began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2018.

A final vote is expected Sept. 21.

Officials are awaiting word from Springfield about school funding from the state before finalizing the budget, said Bill Harkin, District 118's associate superintendent for business services.

The tentative budget is about 3 percent greater than the previous year's $67.6 million spending plan.

Revenue from property taxes, fees and other sources also is expected to increase about 3 percent to $68.9 million, up from $66.8 million.

The difference between spending and revenue will be made up with cash from district savings, Harkin said.

The budget has money for projects, such as the new playground for prekindergarten students at Wauconda Grade School.

Built this summer, it's next to the play area for older students and has equipment designed for younger kids, Harkin said. It will cost about $120,000.

The budget also includes $200,000 for improvements to the main entrance driveway at Wauconda High School. A sidewalk and new lighting were added this summer, as well as about 20 additional parking spots.

Officials tried to minimize the project's impact on the large oak trees growing nearby, Harkin said.

"I believe three trees had to be removed," he said. "We will replace the removed trees with new trees."

Elsewhere, the budget has $350,000 for the recent expansion of the district's bus parking lot on Bonner Road.

Classes resume at all District 118 schools Aug. 16.

District 118 planning for a $56.4 million budget

Computers, new classrooms part of District 118 spending

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