The Examiner U-46 News Feed

Budget, expense items set for upcoming U-46 vote

By Seth Hancock
  The Board of Education in School District U-46 is expected to vote on the 2023-2024 budget as well as $2.5 million in expenditure items at its upcoming meeting on Monday, Sept. 25.
  The expenditure proposals were presented at the Sept. 11 meeting. A public hearing was originally planned for that meeting, according to the Aug. 21 presentation, but no public hearing was on the Sept. 11 agenda.
  For the ninth straight year, spending is expected to increase with enrollment declining. The budget increases spending by $78.9 million ($696.4 million to $775.3 million), an 11.3 percent increase, and revenue is set to increase by $36 million ($690.5 million to $726.5 million), a 5.2 percent increase.
  As for the expenditure proposals, the largest is a five-year contract renewal with Newsela costing $2.2 million, paid by the education fund if approved. Newsela, originally purchased in 2015, is a “digital resource” that “provides 2nd-12th grade students’ access to instructional-level texts to complement teacher-led instruction by giving additional explanations, examples, and context,” the proposal states.
  With Game Time c/o Cunningham Recreation, the district is seeking $161,617 (operations and maintenance fund) for a picnic pavilion at Streamwood High School’s Millennium Field.
  “The addition of a picnic pavilion to Millennium Stadium will provide an additional area for sporting event attendees to enjoy their purchases from the concession stands, and to host outdoor meetings and special events,” the proposal states. It adds that the plan is to install picnic pavilions at all five high schools over the next five years.
  Two plant operations equipment purchases are proposed including a skid steer from Alta Equipment costing $89,211 (operations and maintenance fund) to replace a current skid steer from 1998.
  Costing $43,447 (operations and maintenance fund), the district is looking to purchase a mini skid steer from Vermeer Midwest. It is an addition to a current mini skid steer.
  “Since the initial mini skid steer’s purchase in 2020, it has become extremely sought after for project work due to its versatility,” the proposal states. “By purchasing a second unit, multiple projects can occur simultaneously; increasing the efficiency and productivity of the Grounds Department.”
  The district is also seeking $48,510 (education fund) for a contract with the Illinois Principals Association for mentoring of 16 resident administrators.