The Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 Board of Education on April 14 approved an amended fiscal 2026 budget, authorized several facilities and equipment items, and delayed action on a proposed $5 million short-term loan until next month.
The board approved the tentative FY26 amended budget after Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Jennifer Hamm said the district had “actually had a really good year” financially.
Hamm said the district now projects an end-of-year fund balance of $65.12 million across all funds, compared with $56 million in the original budget. Revenues are projected at $70.93 million, while expenses are projected at $73.99 million. She said expenses exceed revenue because of planned construction-related spending.
Hamm said the projected $65.12 million fund balance does not mean the money is sitting unused. The district pays bills and salaries as they come due, and auditors later determine which payments and tax revenues belong to each fiscal year. Because of that process, the final year-end balance may change after review.
Hamm said the budget amendment was required because of “material or substantial changes in revenue or expenditures.” Major changes included audit adjustments that increased beginning fund balances and a proposed $5 million loan from CBI Bank & Trust for capital projects.
The board tabled the loan after officials said a document needed correction to reflect the proper projects. The item is expected to return in May.
Board members also approved a scaled-back package of parking lot work for summer 2026 after bids for a broader project came in well above estimates. Hamm said a resurfacing bid for the Galesburg High School student lot was about $2.6 million, compared with an estimate of $1.7 million, and included an alternate bid of nearly $700,000 for a junior high track.
The district rejected those bids and instead approved a narrower plan including resealing the high school student lot and repairs at the district office lot, 940 W. Fremont St.
Hamm said the high school lot work is urgent because delaying maintenance could increase costs if the current asphalt deteriorates and becomes more prone to cracking. Superintendent John Asplund said the project will be rebid.
The board also approved a proposal for architectural services with Legat Architects for pool renovations. Hamm said the work covers previously identified priorities and is required because some mechanical, electrical and structural components must be handled by an architect while the Illinois Department of Public Health reviews broader renovation plans.
Board members approved a Chromebook purchase as part of a district technology plan that will reduce one-to-one device assignments in grades 2 through 8 beginning in the 2026-27 school year. Hamm said those students will instead use shared classroom carts, while students in grades 9 through 12 will continue to receive individual devices.
She said many student and staff devices are in poor condition or nearing the end of their useful life.
The district is recommending nearly $1.2 million in student device purchases and about $263,000 for staff devices, funded through a mix of grants and district technology funds. Hamm said the amended budget already includes about $513,000 in technology spending for student devices.
Board members later approved the purchase of $62,174 in cardio equipment for a new fitness space at the high school field house, which formerly housed a weight room. Athletic Director Nick Young said the equipment will be used by students and could also support staff wellness. About half the cost is expected to be covered through donations and fundraising, with the remainder coming from naming-rights revenue.
During public comment, former District 205 board member Tianna Cervantez criticized the board’s decision not to use a search firm for its superintendent search, saying it could undermine confidence in the process and calling for more transparency.
“Whether it is to save money or because you think you know the district better than a firm,” Cervantez said, “it doesn’t exude confidence. It speaks to old-school favoritism. It speaks to the good-old-boy system that was concerning in previous iterations of this board.”
The board is seeking community input on qualifications for the next superintendent. Asplund has announced he will retire after the 2026-27 school year.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 11.
