The Riverside School District 96’s tentative fiscal year 2027 budget features a $786,623 surplus, with education line-item revenues outpacing expenditures by $904,920, according to projections from director of finance and operations Steve Wilder at the Aug. 5 board of education meeting.
Additionally, the board unanimously approved transferring $3,411,953 from the education fund to the capital project fund to settle payment for projects completed this summer, including the new Blythe Park Elementary School playground, and tuck pointing and installation of new windows and a new boiler at Hauser Junior High School.
“I think it makes a lot of sense,” Wilder said Monday of the funds transfer. “The district decided to use those funds to pay for those projects, which means taxpayers don’t have to pay for that.”
Wilder added that the district had a 48% fund balance at the end of fiscal year 2026, which also contributed to payment for those projects.
The tentative budget presentation Aug. 5 allows for it to be put on display for more than 30 days ahead of the Sept. 16 board meeting where voting will likely occur, Wilder said. Final approval must take place by the end of September.
Other budget highlights included $143,755 in working cash funds, which would cover unforeseen expenses. Wilder said he doesn’t anticipate expenditures coming out of that fund in fiscal year 2027. The operations and maintenance line item showed a deficit of $28,290, though that number is a conservative approach.
“I did my best to project out revenue and operations and maintenance where we might have unforeseen expenses,” he said. “That’s one we’ll keep an eye on all school year. It’s important to be aware of.”
Wilder also said he budgeted for a 3% increase in staff salaries and wages for fiscal year 2027. Other notable expenditures include purchase of a district van ($30,000), replacement of an oven at Hauser ($35,000) and planned tech replacements totaling $200,000, including 60 iPads for kindergarten, 600 Chromebooks for third and six grades, and 50 MacBooks for staff.
“This is more curiosity, but why specifically third and sixth (grades) for Chromebooks?” said board secretary Stephanie Gunn, who chaired the meeting for board president Wesley Muirheid, who wasn’t present. “Are (we) staggering then another year doing other grades?”
The reason for that is the replacement cycle, said district director of technology Molly Marquardt.
Also notable is the ongoing development of a five-year facility plan, from fiscal years 2027-31, which will project costs for larger facility work that will need to be completed during that time period. Wilder said he will work with DLA Architects to identify what projects the district needs to plan and collaborate with director of facilities and maintenance Zach Pros to plot out those projects so they align with budget.
Blythe Park playground project delayed: Wilder noted that permitting issues early on for the new Blythe Park playground will result in the space officially opening shortly after school begins Aug. 27.
He said that the orange plastic fencing currently surrounding the space will be replaced with a chain-link fence to keep students out and increase safety.
The design from DLA Architects, approved by the board of education last October and by the village of Riverside the subsequent month with alterations, is being executed by Shorewood-based D&J Landscaping. The design expands the previous park’s footprint and will accommodate up to 135 children ages 2-5 and 5-12.
“While it’s not on time, it’s still on budget, so we’re glad to see that,” Wilder said.