Politics & Government
Federal Aid Boosts Dolton 149 Budget Surplus to $2.1 Million
Reading, Math Literacy, Building Repairs Are Top Budget Priorities
(Calumet City, IL) – Thanks to the federal government’s COVID19 pandemic relief aid, south suburban Dolton School District 149’s Board of Education approved a new 2021-2022 school year budget that arms the district with a $2.1 million surplus that will be eventually used for school building repairs and student academic achievement, according to the district top officials.
“Dolton 149 intends be thoughtful and strategic in our investments with the federal COVID relief money,” said Dolton Board President Rayya Ghani. “Our investments in the new budget will range from new heating, ventilation, air conditioning and window replacements for our schools to math and reading literacy assistance for our students.”
In its 2021-2022 budget, the Dolton 149 expects to generate $54.8 million from all revenue sources and spend an estimated $52.7 million. Over the next three years, the district expects to receive a total of $19,563,459 in pandemic relief aid from the federal government.
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The district has outlined six top categories for investment next year, totaling $5.5 million:
- Balanced Reading Literacy
- Mathematic Literacy
- HVAC Improvements
- Window Replacement
- IT Network Maintenance
- Grow Our Own Instructors
“It is important to remember that these are one-time investments that are being funded by one-time revenue sources coming from the federal government,” said Ghani. “In addition, the district’s flexibility on spending the money is limited by the federal government on what it considers allowable expenditures.”
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In addition to a fully-funded budget, the district is also boasting of its Illinois State Board of Education 3.60 out of 4.00 financial rating, granting the district with the state’s coveted "financial recognition" designation – the highest category – for sound financial management.
“To receive the ‘financial recognition’ designation from the Illinois State Board of Education in the midst of the pandemic speaks volumes about the district’s responsible management of taxpayers’ hard-earned money,” said Superintendent Dr. Shelly Davis-Jones. “We spend wisely on our students’ needs and save a dollar wherever we can out of respect for taxpayers.”
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