The Examiner U-46 News Feed

U-46 approves budget hiking spending to $857M

By Seth Hancock
  The Board of Education in School District U-46 voted 6-0, board member Kate Thommes was absent, at its Monday, Sept. 9 meeting, to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 budget that increases spending to $857 million, a 30.2 percent increase from $658.4 million in FY2024.
  A public hearing was held. No public comments were made, nor was there any board discussion.
  This will be the 10th straight year of spending increases with enrollment declines. It projects a 2.7 percent drop in student population from 34,599 to 33,655 with only 62 percent of building capacity used.
  The budget summary stated that it was “developed with a fiscal equity lens,” with no educational or fiscal responsibility emphasis noted.
  “The 2024-2025 proposed budget reflects a carefully crafted financial plan that addresses both the district’s operational needs and significant capital improvements, all while being created with a strong commitment to fiscal equity,” the summary states. “This approach ensures that resources are allocated in a way that supports all students and staff equitably, with a focus on long-term sustainability and opportunity for every school in the district.”
  The largest expenditure line is salaries and benefits at $504.4 million, up 7 percent from $471.6 million. Staff is expected to increase from 5,032 to 5,124 full time employees.
  The summary stated that salaries and benefits represent 59 percent of this budget with an increase due to “recent union negotiations and inflationary trends.” Capital outlay increases 270.5 percent from $36.1 million to $133.9 million with major capital improvements due to the approved referendum last year.
  Revenue increases from $754.4 million to $820.1 million, an 8.7 percent increase. Property taxes, the largest revenue line at approximately 46 percent of the budget, is set to rise 4.4 percent from $359.2 million to $374.9 million.
  “In summary, the proposed 2024-2025 budget includes a planned deficit of $36,934,190. This deficit is attributed to one-time capital expenditures associated with the Unite U-46 Initiative,” the summary stated.
  Under this budget, spending will have increased 99.3 percent from $430 million in 2012 while enrollment will have declined 17.3 percent since the 40,687 students in 2012.