At the June 22 meeting, the Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education approved a tentative budget for the 2025-26 school year.

The proposed budget of around $48 million indicates a deficit of $9.9 million across all funds. Around $10 million of the budget is allocated for planned construction projects, including refreshing classrooms and installing new technology at district schools. After subtracting construction costs, the operating budget shows a deficit of around $250,000.

Associate Superintendent Fran LaBella noted that these preliminary estimates will likely change and that she will work on the budget in greater detail over the summer.

“The state has not funded the property tax relief grant program for 2025, LaBella told the board at the June 9 meeting. “That means we still have two property tax relief grants where you are abating taxes. We will not get another one next year. So we’re going to have some decisions to make regarding the levy.”

A recurring challenge identified in the budget is a deficit within the operations & maintenance fund. This deficit is attributed to an inability to levy sufficient funds to fully cover building maintenance costs.

LaBella will bring a comprehensive budget for the board to discuss and revise in August.

New food service provider at District 161 schools next year

Elementary students in Flossmoor will be served food by a new vendor when they return to school in the fall. The board of education voted to approve a contract with Whitson Food Service to provide meals to all district schools. Whitson’s began serving Parker Junior High students last year, and the district has been happy with the change.

While Whitson did not have the lowest bid, the state approved the selection based on the district’s experience with other food service companies in the area.