The Peoria Public Schools board of education is considering a revised budget proposal that would add another $2 million to this year's deficit to increase spending on security and school buses.
Mick Willis, the school district’s chief financial officer, presented the revised budget during Monday night’s meeting. He said the district can tap into surpluses from years prior.
“We actually have accumulated balances, so we’re right now starting to pull those balances down, and that’s literally planned," he said.
If the school district approves the revised budget, expenses would total $328.9 million, while revenues are at $317.9 million. Willis noted both revenue and expenditures would rise by about $10 million, most of which is grant-related.
According to Willis, the revision was needed because the school district recently added more security guard positions, and needs about 12 more buses to accommodate additional routes.
Board Member Paris McConnell asked if the $11 million deficit would be the trend for future district budgets. Willis said the revision balances out previous budget surpluses.
“For five or six years in a row, we’ve actually brought in more than we’ve spent, so this is a switch,” Willis said. “A large part of that is because we’ve got that lump sum purchase for buses that will total over $1 million.”
Board President Mike Murphy asked why they were picking gas-powered buses over electric. Willis said the district isn't ready to house more electric buses in addition to the district’s incoming fleet of 15 EVs.
“The infrastructure for those electric buses has to be taken care of first. It will probably take us a school year to get that done,” Willis said. “When we open doors in August 2024, the electric buses won’t be here, operational, and available for our use.”
The school district approved the original school budget for 2023-24 in September, operating with a $9 million deficit.
The revised budget can be viewed on the district's website starting Tuesday, and a public hearing on the budget is set for April 8.
