No need for a deficit reduction plan and surpluses in the district’s operating funds were the highlights of Superintendent Dr. Andrew Brooks’ review of the budget for the 2026 fiscal year during the annual hearing held Thursday. The budget hearing was held prior to the September meeting of the Wethersfield Board of Education. The board then approved the FY26 budget during its regular monthly meeting.

Dr. Brooks said “The State of Illinois requires us to create a Deficit Reduction Plan if three times the deficit in our operation funds — education, operations and maintenance, transportation and working cash — is more than the available fund balances we have in those four nfs. Due to fiscal responsibility, the reserves we have available will allow us not to create a deficit reduction plan.”

Dr. Brooks said the State has calculated Wethersfield’s Evidence Based Funding (EBF) and increased its General State Aid by $116,706, or 4.42%.

He said one of the biggest cost factors considered was the increase in Special Education transportation and tuition which was $250,000 higher than the previous year. The budget shows fund balances at the end of the year estimated at $6,270.687.

Adjusted Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) for the school district increased 3.51% over last year to $65,393,525. Wethersfield’s overall tax rate remains at $4.44 per $100 of EAV, the second lowest in Henry County behind Orion.

The budget hearing was attended by a correspondent from The Kewanee Voice. No one from the public attended.

In other news, Dr. Brooks said the current owners are in the process of removing their property from the building on Tenney Street, adjacent to the athletic field, purchased last month by the school district. He said they hope to be able to take possession in October.

The Frank H. Craig Wethersfield Alumni Association reported that both their reunion and trophy sale on Aug. 17 were a success. Over 100 alumni, spouses and guests attended the reunion in the school cafeteria while the trophy sale in the gym raised over $400 for student scholarships. It was reported that nearly 90 old trophies, plaques, banners and AFS portraits found their way into the hands of individuals, family members and others as a result of the project.

Plans for homecoming were announced for the week of Sept. 15-19. Skit night will take place Thursday, Sept. 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the football field. The parade will take place Friday, Sept. 19, at 1:15 p.m.
The homecoming football game against Havana will be played Friday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. The homecoming dance will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, in the high school gym.

Elementary Principal Kyle Dennison announced that due to the participation of students in grades K-3 in the Prairie Chicken Art Festival, $300 in art supplies will be donated to Wethersfield art teacher Liz Kegebein.

Dennison also thanked WHS 1965 graduate Ron Hamilton, and his wife, Ginny, for a donation to the elementary school for supplies. The Hamiltons are regular early-morning walkers on the campus’ fitness trail.

Junior/Senior High School Principal Tyler Nichols that shot clocks have been installed in both gyms which brings the school in line with IHSA requirements which go into effect in the 2026-27 basketball season.

He also announced that Maci Hauser was selected as September Rotary Senior of the Month; Caiden Olinger was selected as WHS Student of the Month and Alisha Chaidez was named Student Athlete of the Month.