Rochelle Elementary District 231 Approves $31.5 Million Fiscal 2027 Budget

ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Elementary District 231 Board of Education approved a $31.5 million fiscal year 2027 budget Tuesday after holding a required public hearing. The budget includes $23.35 million in revenue and $31.51 million in expenditures, creating a projected deficit of $8.16 million largely because bond proceeds received in a previous fiscal year are being used this year to pay for the Tilton addition and renovations. The district also plans to use reserves to cover the remaining construction costs, while the Transportation Fund is expected to run a deficit because of state funding proration. District officials said that without the Tilton construction and renovation costs, the overall budget deficit would be about $300,000. The Education Fund is projected to have $16.38 million in revenue and about $17.38 million in expenditures, while the Operations and Maintenance Fund is expected to finish with a positive balance. The Transportation Fund is projected to have $1.18 million in revenue and $1.37 million in expenditures. The Capital Projects Fund includes about $8 million in remaining construction expenses, with roughly $9.5 million in transfers planned to cover those costs. Other funds include the Debt Service Fund, which is expected to break even, and the Fire Prevention and Safety Fund, which will use planned transfers to help cover construction costs without additional taxes. Board members were told the budget can be amended during the fiscal year if significant changes occur. The budget was approved by roll call vote with all board members voting yes.