Decline in federal funding swallows projected $13 million revenue boost at TTHS D205
Thornton Township High Schools District 205’s board reviewed the preliminary budget for fiscal year 2027, which foresees a spike in total revenues. The jump is eclipsed, however, by a steep decline in federal funding.
Thornton Township High Schools District 205 is expecting a boost in total revenues under its fiscal year 2027 budget plan. But due to sharp declines in federal dollars, total revenues are nearly the same as they were two fiscal years ago.
Sheila Johnson, assistant superintendent of finance and operations, presented the district’s tentative budget breakdown at the Aug. 12 board meeting. The budget starts with a $147.9 million balance, expecting to collect $178.6 million and spend $207.5 million in the fiscal year. There is a $20 million bond transfer that is expected, all translating to a $139 million ending balance.
Property taxes remain the largest projected revenue source at $87.9 million, or 49 percent of total revenues. Paired with evidence-based state funding at $60 million, the two streams account for nearly 83 percent of total revenues.
Revenues are expected to rise about $13.6 million from the district’s unaudited fiscal year 2026 revenues. That’s largely driven by a roughly 11.3 percent increase in property tax revenue, and 4.9 percent increase in evidence-based funding from Springfield.
The $13.18 million in federal aid in the 2026-27 budget is up 24.6 percent compared to the 2026 figures. However, it’s down 51 percent from 2024, where the district budgeted $26.65 million. That decrease reflects changes in education funding at the federal level.
That dynamic is the driving force behind why total revenues are up 8.2 percent in 2027 compared to the district’s unaudited 2026 finances yet are almost exactly the same as they were in 2025.
“The district has significantly strengthened its financial position over the past several years,” Johnson said.
Expenses are projected to rise 6.7 percent. Salaries make up the largest category at $74.5 million followed by $46.3 million in purchased services, $34.3 million in capital outlay and equipment, and $22.2 million in employee benefits. Johnson said the heightened expenses reflect contract agreements, salary benefit increases, and inflationary cost adjustments.
The capital projects fund includes $32 million in expenses and $30 million in bond proceeds and transfers. The working cash fund shows a $10 million transfer out, resulting in an ending balance of $24.6 million. Capital expenses are primarily driven by the district’s current renovation project “Securing Tomorrow, Today,” Johnson said.
Superintendent Nathaniel Cunningham Jr. said phase one of the project was finished before students returned for the new school year. “These improvements are much more than about the buildings,” Cunningham, Jr. said. “They’re about creating environments that our students and staff can be proud of and providing facilities necessary to support teaching and learning.”
The tentative budget was published July 29 and remains subject to a public hearing and final board approval. The public hearing will occur during the next board meeting on Sept. 9 at Thornridge High School.
Urban farm reports 5,000-pound harvest, 2,000-plant giveaway
Brian Cepeda, a special education teacher at Thornton Township High School, shared updates from the Thornton Urban Farmers program. Cepeda started the program in 2015 to teach students basic agricultural skills and address food insecurity.
Cepeda said that the program has harvested 5,000 pounds of produce and donates about 250 pounds per week. The farm’s plant giveaway distributed 2,000 plants worth more than $10,000 to 150 families.
Board member Sonja Bradley personally thanked Cepeda for teaching her how to grow her own vegetables in her backyard and encouraged attendees to visit the farm. “Go over to that garden, learn as much as you can, and grow your own food because you know it’s fresh at that point, and you’re going to save [on] your grocery bill.”
Official business
The board approved a $192,000.50 contract with Tri-Electronics to buy and install 10 additional cameras at the district’s football stadiums. Many will be mounted on existing poles in the stadiums to improve viewing angles and surveillance coverage.
“As part of the district’s ongoing commitment to enhancing campus safety and security, the district conducted a competitive bidding process to expand video surveillance coverage across all district stadiums,” Johnson said. The competing bidder proposed a $336,000 contract.
The board also approved service agreement renewals with J&D Transportation, Zoom Elite Transportation, and Zoom Charter. Zoom Elite Transportation will receive $314.15 per route, and J&D Transportation will receive $310.50 per route. Zoom Charter trips are priced by mileage, so rides will cost $440 for up to 15.9 miles, $525 for 16 to 25.9 miles, and $600 for 26 miles or more.
Officials did not state anticipated route counts or total annual costs.
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