Pandemic took a toll, but not on District 225 budget
Glenbrook High Schools District 225 Associate Superintendent R.J. Gravel understated in calling 2020 "unique," but effects of the pandemic did benefit district finances, and that, certainly, is unique.
The Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget the district approved Sept. 27 projected an essentially balanced budget, Gravel said.
He said direct revenues are projected to slightly increase and direct expenditures to slightly fall for the fiscal year 2020-21.
"Last school year presented a unique time for our school operations, where the students were not present for in-person instruction for periods of time. During these periods, student transportation expenses and tuition payments for students receiving instruction from external providers decreased," Gravel said in an email.
"For this school year, we actually have a balanced budget of revenues and expenditures, with the exception of a one-time use of fund balance for our Debt Service Fund in the amount of $676,914. This use of fund balance is due to the timing of debt payments, which was slightly disrupted - albeit in a positive manner - when the school district refunded existing debt in the fall of 2020."
Gravel listed the district's 2021-22 expenditures as $147,646,194 and its revenues as $146,959.280. Revenues are projected to be $576,198 higher than last year, expenses $54,972 less than last year.
The school's fiscal year began July 1 and ends June 30, 2022. The district's budget package may be found at: boardmeetings.glenbrook225.org/sites/il.glenbrook.schoolboard.net/files/07.00%20Adoption%20of%20the%20FY2021-22%20Final%20Budget.pdf
Gravel said during the September meeting that, due to the federal CARES and ESSER acts and FEMA payments, the district's Operating Fund saw a net effect on its actual balance of $2,667,096, where the 2020-21 amended budget had estimated a surplus of $163,326. "The district ultimately ended in a positive financial position," he added.
District 225 has budgeted $1.5 million for capital projects to be completed during the summer of 2022, Gravel said in the email. This will include paving and roofing work, some classroom modernization and a sign replacement program at Glenbrook North.
That will be similar but not as extensive to the signage improvements done this summer at Glenbrook South.
The capital projects will be more fully considered by the board later this month, Gravel said.
Also, an amended fiscal year 2021-22 budget, which Gravel said will include federal grant revenues and expenditures, will be presented at the board's Oct. 25 meeting in a public hearing at the district building, 3801 W. Lake Ave., Glenview. The amended budget will be up for approval at the board's Nov. 8 meeting.
District 225's Finance Committee will begin tax levy discussions in November, picked up by the full board by the end of the month. A levy will be approved in December.
The board on Sept. 27 also authorized the district to apply for a $50,000 School Maintenance Grant through the state. To be eligible, a school must match the portion approved by the state and use the funds within two years.
District 225 applied for the grant in 2019 and received the full $50,000, which was used for a perfectly timed renovation of the Glenbrook South nurse's office.
Should the district again receive the state grant, the board recommends the money be used to help replace the 26-year-old roof of the Glenbrook South auditorium, which is on the district Facility Committee's list of potential summer 2022 projects.