The Wabash Community Unit School District 348 Board of Education adopted its budget for the 2026-27 school year last Monday evening, following a public hearing held before the regular monthly meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said the district is budgeting for approximately $21.3 million in receipts, compared with about $20.3 million in disbursements.
Local sources are expected to provide just over $10.9 million, or 51 percent of district revenue. Bleyer said real estate taxes alone are projected at about $7 million. State funding is budgeted at approximately $8.5 million, accounting for nearly 40 percent of revenue, while federal sources are expected to provide about $1.86 million, or just under nine percent.
Evidence-Based Funding from the state is projected at nearly $7.4 million.
On the expense side, salaries remain the district's largest cost at approximately $11.4 million, or 56 percent of total spending. Employee benefits are budgeted at $3.23 million, purchased services at $2.32 million and supplies at nearly $1.59 million.
Bleyer cautioned that some expenses could exceed the budgeted figures, particularly purchased services, supplies and transportation.
He said the cost of parts, tires, fuel and other transportation expenses continues to climb, while the district also faces increasing costs in its building fund.
Bleyer said the district is fortunate to have reserves and working cash available to help shore up funds facing additional expenses.
Overall, the budget projects receipts exceeding disbursements by approximately $998,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2027.