District 128 board ready to adopt a $105.8 million budget
With a mandated public hearing now completed, Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 officials are ready to adopt a roughly $105.8 million budget for the 2019 fiscal year.
The school board held the hearing Monday night at the district office in Vernon Hills. No district residents attended the roughly 20-minute budget review led by Dan Stanley, the district's assistant superintendent for finance.
The panel could approve the budget when it meets at 7 p.m. Aug. 27 at Vernon Hills High, 145 Lakeview Parkway.
The 2019 fiscal year began July 1.
The financial plan calls for a nearly 11 percent increase in spending from the 2018 fiscal year's $95.5 million estimate.
Officials primarily attribute the jump to the ongoing construction of a new swimming pool at Libertyville High, and possible additions at Vernon Hills High.
The proposed budget includes $16 million for the Libertyville pool project. It began in October 2017, should be completed in spring 2019 and will cost about $21.5 million overall.
As for Vernon Hills High, the budget plan sets aside $4 million for construction there. Officials are considering building a second gymnasium and more classrooms and expanding the cafeteria as part of what could be a $25.5 million project.
The proposed budget predicts the district will receive about $87 million in property taxes, fees and other revenue. That's up about 4 percent from 2018's $83.5 million estimate.