As it is across the state, implications of the status of Senate Bill 1 played a big part in Monday night’s Taylorville School Board meeting. The biggest reason for SB1 looming over the meeting was the first presentation of the school district’s budget for the ‘17-’18 fiscal year.

In some good financial news, Illinois comptroller Susana Mendoza sent a categorical payment to districts across the state. Taylorville Superintendent Dr. Gregg Fuerstenau says the payment is a missed payment from the last fiscal year, and he appreciates the comptroller doing something as districts wait for the budgeted state aid.

The budget presented has the district bringing in roughly $20.9 million in revenue, with about $22.7 million in expenditures. Although there is about a $1.8 million deficit, the revenues budgeted do not include multiple categorical payments or any increase in general state aid.

Fuerstenau says with the numbers as tight as they are, that is why state money is so important to the district.

Monday’s meeting was the final board meeting before classes start Wednesday. Fuerstenau says the district is prepared to start another school year.

There will be a special hearing for the fiscal year ‘17-’18 budget at 6:45 p.m. on September 11th, right before the next regularly scheduled board meeting is set to begin at 7 p.m. at the Taylorville School District administration building.

The Taylorville School District has 14 new teachers this year across the district. They met school board members at a social held before the August 14th school board meeting.