District 120 board approves $41.1 million budget
The Mundelein High School board has adopted a $41.1 million budget for the new fiscal year, a sum that includes $6.1 million for on-campus improvements.
The money for those pending projects came from a $10 million loan voters approved this past April. That money arrived during the last fiscal year, which ended June 30, but most of the work hasn’t begun.
During Tuesday’s school board meeting, Business Manager Gary Lonquist said the district is in good financial shape.
“Things haven’t changed too much,” Lonquist said. “We try to be as conservative as possible.”
The board approved the budget 6-0 without debate.The spending plan predicts the district will collect about $36.1 million in revenue this fiscal year. That#146;s down about $8 million, or 18 percent, from the 2010-11 budget, which was amended after the April election to include the $10 million loan.That cash was garnered by extending existing debt rather than raising taxes.Anticipated spending is up about 22 percent from $33.6 million during the 2011 fiscal year, also because of the capital projects planned for the 50-year-old campus.Bathroom repairs already have been completed at the school as part of the project. Next up is the installation of artificial turf on the football field and a new running track.That work should begin in October following the Mustangs#146; final home game, Superintendent Jody Ware said.Improvements to the roof, aquatic center and other areas are planned, too.Mundelein High School#146;s financial status has improved considerably over the last decade.The district operated at a multimillion-dollar financial loss for years. Officials reduced the deficit over time by eliminating administrative positions, increasing activity fees and other student-related charges, changing custodial services and undertaking other measures.The board also began adopting balanced budgets in 2005.Daily Herald correspondent Stephen DiBenedetto contributed to this report.