Urbana Schools’ forecast shows growing deficits, board plans for financial stability

The Urbana City School Board of Education met in regular session this week and received an update on the district’s five-year financial forecast. The report showed that while property tax valuations are expected to rise slightly, overall revenues will remain mostly flat. Meanwhile, costs tied to salaries, benefits, and services are projected to keep climbing—putting the district on track for ongoing deficit spending through the next several years.

According to the forecast presented by Treasurer Mandy Hildebrand, Urbana City Schools has already started using its savings to cover yearly shortfalls. This trend could continue unless new revenue sources or budget adjustments are made.

Superintendent Charles Thiel talks about what Treasurer Hildebrand discussed in the forecast and some strategies on how they are approaching this period of uncertainty.

In other business, the following donations were approved:

• To Urbana High School Football, from VFW, Donay Life & Wellness Center, and Urbana Athletic Boosters, a total of $3,579.
• To Urbana Boys Soccer, from the Andrw & Amy Donahoe, $75.
• To Urbana Boys Golf, from Dan Goodwin, $75.
• To Urbana High School Academic Awards, from Menasha Corporation Foundation, $500.
• To Urbana High School PBIS, Nancy Martin Insurance Agency, KTH, Weidmann Electrical Technology, & Ultra-Met, a total of $2,000.
• To Urbana High School, from Menasha Corporation Foundation, $1,500.
• To Urbana Elementary PBIS, from Shelby Whitehead, Skyler Apthorpe, Sade Richards, Theresa Endres, Macy Berner, Teresa Knox, Jay Keely, Emma Perks, Melanie Anders, Molly Hess, Kristin Miesse, & Jenn Chapman, a total of $300.
• To Urbana High School Band, from Graham Band, $100.
• To Urbana Lunchroom, from Urbana Chapter Women of the Moose, $300.
• To Urbana Athletics, from an anonymous donor, in-kind donation valued at $549.12

The following staff changes have been approved: