East Aurora School District 131 adopts FY2026 amended budget, cites $9.3 million operating gap

The East Aurora School District 131 board on June 15 approved an amended FY2026 budget that shows roughly $259.7 million in revenue against approximately $269 million in expenditures, leaving an operating deficit of about $9.3 million.

District staff told the board the largest single driver of the shortfall was the district’s shift from tier one to tier two in the state’s evidence‑based funding formula, which reduced state aid by roughly $6 million. Staff also cited a reduction in some federal grant dollars (about $2.5 million) and modest declines in local receipts, including corporate replacement property tax (CPPRT) receipts.

Board members and administrators said the district has undertaken early cost‑containment steps, including a number of retirements without backfilling positions, consolidations of full‑time roles, targeted insurance reviews that yielded roughly $500,000 in savings, and ongoing efforts to secure additional federal and state grants. Staff emphasized that evidence‑based funding tier assignments will not be final until the state publishes updated numbers, likely in August.

The board voted to approve the amended budget after a motion and roll‑call vote. The meeting packet presented a fund summary showing an education fund of about $201 million (roughly 77% of total revenues) and an expenditure mix in which salaries account for about 50.3% of all spending and salaries plus benefits just over 63%.

Votes at a glance: The board approved several additional items on June 15, including: approval of remediation work at 411 Hill Avenue for contaminated soils ($57,924.90 to Schroeder Asphalt Services, Inc.); authorization of a three‑year broker‑of‑record agreement with Gallagher Benefits Services, Inc.; a multi‑year graduation contract with Northern Illinois University for East High School ceremonies; the purchase of i‑Ready English and Spanish benchmarking and personalized learning licenses ($65,116.83); a one‑year trial transportation contract with Everdriven; and multiple finance and personnel motions recommended by committee.

What happens next: Administrators said they will continue to pursue cost savings and revenue options as they finalize FY2027 planning. The board did not adopt additional program reductions during the June 15 meeting; staff said further actions may be required as state and federal funding numbers become final.