[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6161452,"mediaKeyId","5441869-8e5681281b1a86634ff6a7d7792f5e8e","parentId",5441869,"title","District 186 outlines summer programs, kindergarten prep and registration dates","audioSeconds",326,"startMs",1910000,"endMs",2236000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441869-8e5681281b1a86634ff6a7d7792f5e8e&start=1910&end=2236","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441869-8e5681281b1a86634ff6a7d7792f5e8e/thumbnail_1910000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6161452/Illinois/District-186-outlines-summer-programs-kindergarten-prep-and-registration-dates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161452-2d9be83fa38d60c4cfb731532da83d58/orig.mp4?Expires=1770716491&Signature=aqrHP1VPxDodvPMPdvLGO6XFbIybarnk-kTlBWjYrXxPhtAwKWQ0nwVFBM72BrnKJkFTdqYuhCjXtK8DJDcPnrO~P8NEEWnW1x8use5A9u4PuXJY1VhrdEXgSDYmTbTQdK08AJQZbsGMh7YbMye~SXKmHJWRrRZ09xroKDljeW1aV1t3EN0hytHmMwTlkv6bw4ifox50zY1BPBD8GLAbfYqsUyRvxamWV9q20UhqEAANEqZC~bFFIuUHT6s6RUwN6jwKmk-~gU5thYu3Y3BLUXpbPGyMd~6kyecxr~xxDKotLWupbT-u8nUbOtzvI0z7FTntlPRs2ENXJ6p2GRCy3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Springfield SD 186","date","2025-07-22T23:56:51.103Z","article","SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Springfield Public Schools District 186 presented several community-facing programs and logistics for families at the July 21 board meeting, including summer kindergarten camp results, a USDA summer-meal program, registration dates and a back-to-school fair.

Superintendent staff said 55 incoming kindergarten students completed the district’s camp program this summer. The district thanked partners including United Way, Horace Mann and the Community Foundation for Land of Lincoln for supporting the program.

District staff also described the 2025 Summer Meal Program: breakfast and lunch are free to children 18 and under at 16 community locations, with a nominal adult breakfast fee at some sites. The program is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s summer food service offerings; the district said families should consult the District 186 website for locations and times.

Officials urged families to schedule back-to-school physicals and immunizations and said the district’s cutoff for missing immunizations is Oct. 1 at the district level (the statewide date referenced was Oct. 15). The district allows students with scheduled appointments to remain enrolled while waiting for required documentation.

In-person registration dates were announced: elementary registration on Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; middle and high school and the early learning center on Aug. 4 (11 a.m.–6 p.m.) and Aug. 5 (8 a.m.–2 p.m.). The district said Springfield High’s administrative office will operate out of temporary space at 1900 West Monroe during construction.

The board announced an inaugural back-to-school fair at the district with roughly 70 vendors expected, including providers offering on-site physicals and immunizations and up to 500 backpacks for students. The event will include free food and community resources aimed at families and school staff.

Other school-year transition events included Freshman Forward (a ninth-grade program) and sixth-grade orientation on Aug. 7; bus routes will operate normally for orientation days, the district said.

Why it matters: The announcements address school readiness, access to meals and the logistics families need before the school year begins.

What to watch next: Families were directed to the district website for meal-site locations, health-clinic resources and specific registration instructions; the district’s first day dates for balanced-calendar schools (July 23) and regular-calendar schools (Aug. 18) were noted.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Of Education Meeting | July 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the July 21 board meeting District 186 highlighted successes in summer kindergarten camp (55 participants), summer meal locations (16 sites), in-person registration dates (Aug. 4–5) and upcoming orientation events, and announced a large back-to-school fair with dozens of vendors and free backpacks.","taxTitle","Springfield SD 186, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",14971,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6161457,"District reports $193.9 million in cash and investments; operating funds at $46.6 million",168,3466000,3634000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441869-8e5681281b1a86634ff6a7d7792f5e8e&start=3466&end=3634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441869-8e5681281b1a86634ff6a7d7792f5e8e/thumbnail_3466000.jpg","/articles/6161457/Illinois/District-reports-1939-million-in-cash-and-investments-operating-funds-at-466-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161457-70ec247d46fd3c772c32d4cad1b85881/orig.mp4?Expires=1770716491&Signature=Wcy0r7jIs8rWTXtMvE51ZTVv~kwAnWkX9VLYPOl22DxkrN3KEsf8~FXsfEq7vgQ~mJm106M~g4iLLU-IDcKeTLcq5DqhJHaEo4bO-4NyV8iFtGtm4PKavv2yZE~McqKYF0asWc2j7YPtZAcQFSSzzkj8QFMwS~Fkb3QUfC44k-J9JJK6S17wAGSZlbkHje-ySaJU9NdsSDITwV86aQyWrQkluV550G1SmmVntt4G7U~gTzRjzLmVwZhHqYIHWF52lNSGy9hRXokDDd86NhIs7nFycT1Y94y2x2AkcvbKDBt9vJxSDQk8l6LTt6jf31y92ZiyYvtAs0CY57tTwILSpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Springfield Public Schools District 186 business office presented its June 2025 monthly report on July 21, reporting the district’s cash, investments, revenue and expenditure figures and preliminary fiscal-year spending projections.

The business report showed Education Fund (Ed Fund) revenues of $38,600,000 and Ed Fund expenditures of $14,600,000 for June, with revenues exceeding expenditures by $24,000,000. The Operations & Maintenance Fund reported $5,900,000 in revenues and $1,400,000 in expenditures.

As of June 30, the district reported a combined cash balance of $80,400,000 across all bank accounts and total investments of $113,500,000, yielding a combined cash-and-investment total of $193,900,000. For operating funds only (Ed Fund, O&M, transportation and working cash), the balance was $46,600,000.

Year-to-date interest on cash accounts for June was reported as just over $1,900,000, at an interest rate of about 2.5% (250 basis points). County sales tax proceeds received during June were reported as $1,100,000 for the March collection period; total sales-tax collections since February 2019 were reported as $70,700,000. The presenter noted the district’s sales tax proceeds are restricted for use on property, buildings and capital projects.

The report compared FY25 spending to a two-year average. The Ed Fund was at 89.2% of budgeted revenues for June, compared with a two-year average of 90.73%. The business office cautioned that post-year expenditures (bills incurred in FY25 but paid after June 30) will continue through August; preliminary projections expect final FY25 spending closer to 96% of the budget.

The presenter said a composite that included O&M and transportation was at 88.87% compared with a two-year average of 92.8% and reiterated that the district will not know final actuals until September when post-year processing is complete.

Why it matters: The business report gives the board and public a snapshot of the district’s liquidity, investment position and spending patterns as the fiscal year closed, and it frames the district’s ability to fund operations and capital work into the next year.

What was said and what happens next: The business office will continue to pay FY25 obligations through August and produce final reconciled numbers in September; preliminary projections have been shared with the board for planning purposes.

","At the July 21 meeting, District 186’s business office reported June 2025 revenues and expenditures and a combined cash and investment balance of $193.9 million, with operating funds totaling $46.6 million. Preliminary spending rate for FY25 is projected near 96%.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6161462,"Board approves $4.67 million change order for Springfield High auditorium renovation",525,3995000,4520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441869-8e5681281b1a86634ff6a7d7792f5e8e&start=3995&end=4520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441869-8e5681281b1a86634ff6a7d7792f5e8e/thumbnail_3995000.jpg","/articles/6161462/Illinois/Board-approves-467-million-change-order-for-Springfield-High-auditorium-renovation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161462-db7618d5575aa0b0a7747148d6236c4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770716491&Signature=HQThqwIY9GoKJIAhHYvI2o-VVdz7fjCLjzcFvabO0W35w5DVFG3b0nKe~7C2fYJh~a2zli1gXXPMpNAkG-5-pvt4ijKDr8Rtr2OQdBcsWjFpYw4btoxdC-jBjibrOQVDI7PCd5Z4DpjsyOgwAQlZjJqhdTu5P~FTDyBsQEkw4G-Mv5cHCahCqqnC9Expkv4MFeGpCcSpLd96QINDCFdMZT-7Mqwx0~6Y56P6yHIgpEWpZeHqZ5d9OrY6FWZBwxFXUrSWuj2lpZVJr7PZn2UDNZQCymOrKAP~mSvIJJHKK8YeGjWR89aaQQ1tPUR5pAA3LdhlV4iiiOgKZz~01HhpDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Springfield Public Schools District 186 Board of Education on July 21 approved Change Order No. 2 for Springfield High School’s auditorium renovation, adding $4,670,137.87 to the project and directing the superintendent to execute the related documents.

Superintendent staff presented the change order as a revised alternate scope for theater upgrades that the board had previously removed from the guaranteed maximum price. The district said it negotiated the scope and reduced the alternate’s original price of $5,512,940 to the approved $4,670,137.87 figure.

Board discussion focused on what the change order covers and how it affects the overall project budget. Officials said the work includes replacing the auditorium floor to correct slope, bringing the stage and audience areas into ADA compliance with lifts and elevator access, upgrading electrical and sound systems, installing rigging and a band shell, expanding backstage costume and storage facilities, and other theater infrastructure improvements.

“The theater upgrades include a new floor, new electrical, new sound equipment, new stage and improved stage house and backstage storage,” a district presenter said during the meeting.

The presenter said the auditorium work was always in the plans but was bid as an alternate; the first alternate bid came in higher, so the district reworked scope and pricing before returning to the board. Officials reported the project’s guaranteed maximum price was approximately $126 million before the change order, with subsequent totals approaching an estimated $130–$132 million when adding the change order and related costs. The district noted it maintains contingencies totaling about $6 million.

The board voted to approve the change order (recorded as seven “aye” votes). No roll-call names were recorded in the public transcript excerpt beyond the tally of seven ayes.

The renovation also prompted discussion about a historic pipe organ currently housed in the auditorium. Officials described the instrument as a community treasure that is seldom played and said the project will remove and store the organ and pipes. The district proposed forming a community committee to advise on the organ’s future and to identify an appropriate, climate-controlled storage or display option.

Why it matters: Board members said the auditorium work restores theater function, expands stage and backstage space for band and choral programs, improves accessibility and safety, and reclaims square footage currently occupied by the organ.

What was decided: The board approved the change order and directed the superintendent to finalize required documents with O’Shea Builders. District staff said the adjusted alternate bid saved about $1 million relative to the earlier estimate for the same scope.

What to watch next: The district will continue construction; officials said contingencies remain in place and other planned projects were not expected to be derailed by this change order. The district also said it will seek community input on the organ’s long-term stewardship.

","The District 186 Board of Education approved Change Order No. 2 for Springfield High School’s auditorium on July 21, 2025, authorizing $4,670,137.87 to O’Shea Builders for a modified alternate bid covering ADA upgrades, new floor, lighting and rigging, and other theater improvements.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6161467,"Teachers say contract talks stalled; union members point to federal mediation",486,2734000,3220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441869-8e5681281b1a86634ff6a7d7792f5e8e&start=2734&end=3220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441869-8e5681281b1a86634ff6a7d7792f5e8e/thumbnail_2734000.jpg","/articles/6161467/Illinois/Teachers-say-contract-talks-stalled-union-members-point-to-federal-mediation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161467-15344b40e9c6abcaf217baf48b2f7c26/orig.mp4?Expires=1770716491&Signature=Jd5Y2~UrisAlo8-q~geg3rvyBCRYxlrZBMB3XUWi1VV44a38RZUIjKzKf0vlqt9lrYCRj4ejYkHfeAEwS9N4~Hp7kNAsDkevsqFivZk0KHflP5M2yzhcA2lD39WBPy7mQjlUXLPnpIToooBfTT19mn83LiaH12v1D0VZiD5Zo7b9EvPTl~XacjmEeO3fy0XhTIrStYP-sCs9WmDhvlI~Rx9oYRx-weqQ-jL3pCZUQK0dr0RImFgaoiz8oGFB85e4x2EKtjNbJlSETNCEEngIAz~tNTEQaD6s71HlpnfpKzc1D-v0IrWPPlCxLdwMtD7BPlqSjDCCei93-A5a2xrgfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Public commenters at the July 21 Springfield Public Schools District 186 board meeting said contract negotiations between the district and school staff have stalled, leading the union to federal mediation and leaving staff concerned about returning to school without a contract.

The comments came during the public-comment portion of the board’s regular meeting. Commenters said bargaining began in January and has included more than a dozen negotiating sessions.

“We've been at the table since January. We've met more than a dozen times and now the district has said it will not move any further which has led us to federal mediation,” said Andy Marvel, a public commenter, during the meeting. Marvel said members had “shown up in good faith” and urged the board to reach a timely agreement so staff can return to school with less stress.

Aaron Graves, speaking in the same session, echoed Marvel’s remarks and described the speakers as representatives of the district’s educators. “This is the group that provides conditions for students to grow and achieve,” Graves said, urging a final resolution so teachers and administrators can work “hand in hand” for the 2025–26 school year.

Kim Pasha, another speaker, described the timetable and tone of bargaining as a signal that staff are being undervalued. She said bargaining had required about a dozen meetings for what she characterized as a cost-of-living increase and warned of potential teacher turnover if negotiations continue to lag.

Board members did not take a formal vote or announce a change in bargaining strategy during the meeting. The public-comment record shows community concern focused on timeliness and respect for educators, not on specific contract language.

Why it matters: Commenters said unresolved contract talks affect teachers’ finances and morale and could disrupt the district’s readiness for the school year. Several speakers connected the bargaining impasse to staff capacity and student experience.

What was said and what happened: Commenters described the timeline of bargaining and the decision to enter federal mediation; the transcript records no formal board action on the matter at the July 21 meeting. Speakers repeatedly requested that the board and administration return to bargaining and finalize an agreement before the school year starts.

What’s next: The speakers urged the board and administration to resume talks and reach an agreement. The district’s next regular board meeting was announced for Aug. 4; no further negotiation outcomes were presented at the July 21 session.

","Multiple public commenters at the July 21, 2025, Springfield Public Schools District 186 board meeting urged the district to resume contract negotiations after more than a dozen sessions and to resolve mediation with staff before the new school year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District 186 outlines summer programs, kindergarten prep and registration dates

District reports $193.9 million in cash and investments; operating funds at $46.6 million

Board approves $4.67 million change order for Springfield High auditorium renovation

Teachers say contract talks stalled; union members point to federal mediation