WHD SD147 unveils 2027 tentative budget

The West Harvey-Dixmoor School District 147 board reviewed the district’s tentative budget for fiscal year 2027 at its regular meeting on Aug. 3. 

Chief School Business Official Janiesa Owens presented the tentative budget, which projects an ending balance of $24,490,225. The district’s anticipated revenues total $23,722,978, while expenditures are estimated at $26,063,120. 

Owens explained that the budget accounts for reduced and delayed revenues. Cook County notified the district that tax bills would be at least two months delayed, and reimbursements on expenses such as transportation were reduced. State and federal grants are lower compared to prior years across multiple districts, according to Owens.

But the district will still have some grants, Owens said. The district received a $250,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), a $41,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and a $100,000 grant from Safe Routes to School.  

“So we are on the line to receive at least some revenues that we haven’t seen before considering we’re losing revenue in other areas,” Owens said.

The budget also accounts for several capital projects funded by DCEO grant funds and bond proceeds. These projects include culinary flooring, a cosmetology sound barrier wall, and equipment repairs and replacements. 

“The district received bond funds, which is what will take care of the big project and the residual balances from the smaller projects that the other grants don’t cover,” Owens said.

Because of the new union agreement, staff salaries and benefits increased in addition to the four percent annual increases. Medical insurance rose 10 percent compared to last year’s increase of only one percent. Owens noted that other expenses will increase approximately at the rate of inflation, estimated at 2.9 percent as of December 2025.

The full budget breakdown is currently on display in the district office, and a public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8. The budget must be filed with Cook County and the Illinois State Board of Education before Oct. 7.

Back-to-school bash

Board secretary Mable Chapman thanked the community for a successful back-to-school event at Rosa Parks Middle School on Aug. 1 despite poor weather. 

“The devil tried to rain on our parade, literally,” Chapman said. 

The event included a game truck, pony rides, a petting zoo, food trucks, a DJ, a bouncy house, and several vendors and presentations, Chapman said. Parents, staff, and volunteers helped move activities inside the school’s gymnasium when the rain began.

“Kudos to the staff, to the volunteers, and especially to the parents for bringing their children,” Chapman said.  “They had a ball.”

Remembering Keshawn Lewis-Hunt

During public comment, a staff member asked the board to consider creating a resolution in memory of former student Keshawn Lewis-Hunt, 20, who was killed by gunfire at his grandmother’s Harvey home on July 6. The staff member mentioned that Lewis-Hunt had a sibling who was killed in November of last year. 

Lewis-Hunt attended Morgan Park High School and East Illinois University and aspired to play professional football. The staff member said that all of Lewis-Hunt’s siblings attended WHD SD147 schools and that board member Terry Young participated in the funeral proceedings.

“He had a bright future ahead of him,” the staff member said.