Wilmette SD 39 auditors issue unmodified financial opinion for FY25; district posts operating surplus
March 16, 2026 | Wilmette SD 39, School Boards, Illinois
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Auditors from Baker Tilly told the Wilmette School District 39 Committee of the Whole on March 16 that FY25 audit procedures are complete and that "our opinions and reports were issued on February 6," according to Anna Zawadi, senior manager at Baker Tilly.
Zawadi said the firm issued an unmodified opinion on the district’s financial statements, which she described as the highest level of assurance. She also reported the district received the highest recognition status on its AFR profile and that auditors found no internal-control deficiencies to report.
On the federal compliance side, Baker Tilly said the district was subject to a single audit this year and that auditors issued an unmodified opinion on the major federal program tested (IDEA). Zawadi told the board there were no compliance findings from the single audit.
District business staff also summarized budget-to-actual results. Mr. Voltemeyer said the district budgeted an operating deficit of about $2.8 million but "finished with a actual surplus of just over $800,000 in the operating funds." He noted a positive variance in interest revenue and that special-education tuition ran under budget, while the board approved transfers from the general fund to Operations & Maintenance and from O&M to capital projects to fund planned work.
Board members asked auditors how they select programs for single-audit testing. Zawadi said auditors perform a risk assessment and that, for lower-risk auditees, they must cover at least 20% of federal expenditures; this year the IDEA program provided that coverage.
The board will be asked to approve the official audit at the upcoming board meeting; Baker Tilly will return to present a brief summary and answer any additional questions.
Votes at a glance: the committee approved the minutes of the Feb. 9, 2026 meeting and later voted to adjourn into executive session to discuss collective negotiations, personnel and special-education individual student matters (see "Adjourn to executive session" motion in actions).
Zawadi said the firm issued an unmodified opinion on the district’s financial statements, which she described as the highest level of assurance. She also reported the district received the highest recognition status on its AFR profile and that auditors found no internal-control deficiencies to report.
On the federal compliance side, Baker Tilly said the district was subject to a single audit this year and that auditors issued an unmodified opinion on the major federal program tested (IDEA). Zawadi told the board there were no compliance findings from the single audit.
District business staff also summarized budget-to-actual results. Mr. Voltemeyer said the district budgeted an operating deficit of about $2.8 million but "finished with a actual surplus of just over $800,000 in the operating funds." He noted a positive variance in interest revenue and that special-education tuition ran under budget, while the board approved transfers from the general fund to Operations & Maintenance and from O&M to capital projects to fund planned work.
Board members asked auditors how they select programs for single-audit testing. Zawadi said auditors perform a risk assessment and that, for lower-risk auditees, they must cover at least 20% of federal expenditures; this year the IDEA program provided that coverage.
The board will be asked to approve the official audit at the upcoming board meeting; Baker Tilly will return to present a brief summary and answer any additional questions.
Votes at a glance: the committee approved the minutes of the Feb. 9, 2026 meeting and later voted to adjourn into executive session to discuss collective negotiations, personnel and special-education individual student matters (see "Adjourn to executive session" motion in actions).
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