The West Prairie District 103 board of education met at the North Elementary campus Wednesday, Aug. 12, to tour the facilities prior to opening of classes on Aug. 19, to place the FY27 budget on display, and to act upon plans to relocate district offices.
After approving the consent agenda, which included the sale of baseball scoreboards from the Good Hope school, North Elementary Principal Sara Ryner led board members on a comprehensive tour of the building, pointing out areas that needed to be addressed as well as modifications to curriculum and room assignments in reparation for the new school year.
When regular business resumed, the board approved proposed policy revisions in accordance with ISBE Press Plus recommendations, with the stipulation that the district would continue to offer five-minute public comments at the regular meetings as opposed Press Plus's suggested three-minute time.
The board also agreed to place the FY27 district budget on display for 30 days. According to Superintendent Curt Rheingans, the budget estimates $9.2 million in revenue against $9.6 in expenses. Business manager Crista Rigg noted that the district will have a 16 percent increase in health insurance costs as well as increased costs, in special education.
Board member Honey Zimmerman noted that $7 million of that budget is for personnel — salaries and benefits.
