Highland School Board OKs budget amendments
By Brittany Blackwell
Reporter • The Highland School District Board of Education approved amendments to this year’s budget and several other items during its June 22 meeting.
Chief School Business Official Manager Mari Nekola presented the amended fiscal year 2026 budget, citing adjustments to funds, some including education, operations and maintenance, transportation, capital projects and health and life safety.
“Some of the factors for the amendment are due to unexpected costs that arise throughout the school year, the rising cost of technology, new SMART boards for K-5 classrooms, summer facility projects throughout the district and the Highland Elementary renovation project, which cost less than expected,” Nekola said at the June 22 meeting. Nekola detailed these changes during the May 18 meeting.
Despite the adjustments, the budget remains balanced. Following the public hearing, the board approved the revised budget.
In other business, the board approved several items including:
- New personnel and change of assignment for the 2026-2027 school year
- Intergovernmental agreement with South Macoupin Association for Special Education and the Highland School District for visually impaired students
- Highland Area Community Foundation grant applications
- Property casualty insurance renewal
- Resolution to transfer working cash funds to capital projects
- Updated risk management plan
- Addition of Esports at Highland High School
- Substitute rates for 2026/2027 school year
- Repairs to tennis court pavilion
Approval of an addendum for Susie Kronk’s contract was tabled until after the executive session.
