Crete-Monee Board Approves 2025-2026 Budget with Focus on Capital Projects

Crete-Monee School District 201-U Meeting | September 2025

Article Summary: The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education voted to adopt the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, which projects a deficit in operating funds but includes significant investments in capital improvements. The budget reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to facility upgrades while managing operational costs.

Crete-Monee Budget Key Points:

• Total Direct Revenues: Estimated at $98,851,156 across operating funds.

• Total Direct Expenditures: Estimated at $99,598,655.

• Projected Deficit: The budget anticipates a deficit of approximately $747,499 in operating funds.

• Ending Fund Balance: The estimated ending fund balance for June 30, 2026, is approximately $43.1 million.

The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, formally adopted the budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The approval followed a public hearing and months of preparation by the administration.

The approved budget outlines $98,851,156 in direct revenues against $99,598,655 in direct expenditures for operating funds, resulting in a projected deficit of roughly $747,499. Despite the operational deficit, the district maintains a healthy financial position, with an estimated ending fund balance of over $43 million projected for June 30, 2026.

According to the Illinois State Board of Education budget form submitted by the district, the budget is unbalanced; however, a Deficit Reduction Plan is not required at this time because the estimated ending fund balance is more than three times the deficit spending.

Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Jason Okrasinski noted during the meeting that capital projects are accounted for separately in the Site and Construction Fund (Fund 60) and are not part of the operational deficit calculation. The district has allocated significant resources toward facility improvements, including ongoing renovations at Crete-Monee Middle School and the completion of the new sports complex.

The budget includes a transfer of $13.5 million from the Working Cash Fund to the Capital Projects Fund to support these infrastructure improvements. Additionally, $12.5 million is budgeted for transfer to the Debt Service Fund to pay principal on revenue bonds.

Board Member William Sawallisch moved to approve the budget, seconded by Member Janine Woolfolk. The motion passed unanimously with a roll call vote.