CCSD21 initiates $11.5 million fund transfer to pay for facility upgrades

The Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education on Thursday, March 20, officially approved the process by which approximately $11.5 million will be transferred from the district’s education fund to its operations and maintenance fund and finally transferred from its operations and maintenance fund to its capital projects fund.

The district budgeted for this transfer based upon the sufficiency of its property tax receipts and other general revenue from local, state and federal sources in the education fund as well as its operations and maintenance fund available to use for capital projects. The transfer will allow these funds to be used in the payment of facility upgrades throughout the district to further complete its 10-year long-range facilities and maintenance plan, which includes but is not limited to flooring, bathrooms and completing the replacement of playgrounds.

“This transfer represents a significant investment in the long-term health of our facilities,” said Dr. Michael Connolly, superintendent of schools. “It allows us to move forward with key priorities in our 10-year facilities and maintenance plan–ensuring that our schools remain safe, functional and future-ready for our students, staff and community. Strategic financial planning like this helps us maintain the high standards our district is known for, while also preparing responsibly for the needs of tomorrow.”

In addition to the budgeted fund transfer from the March meeting, the board is also set to consider an additional transfer during its meeting on April 24 based upon the final fund balances from the last fiscal year.

Both of these transfers are based upon board policies that have been adopted in order to utilize budget funds and prior year surplus funds to repair, renovate and maintain the district’s buildings to provide safe, secure and state-of-the-art educational learning settings for students and staff.

The district previously outlined its list of projects slated for completion during the spring and summer, which includes new playgrounds for Tarkington, Twain and Whitman.