Superintendent Warns of Transportation Funding Shortfall Despite State Budget Proposal

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | Feb. 23, 2026

Article Summary: Superintendent Mike Shackelford updated the Board on the state’s proposed FY2027 budget, highlighting a discrepancy between proposed funding and the actual costs of transportation. While the Governor’s budget includes education increases, the district expects prorated reimbursements for transportation costs.

Budget and Calendar Key Points:

• State Proposal: Governor Pritzker proposed fully funding the education bill with an additional $305 million in Evidence-Based Funding.

• The Shortfall: The budget falls $151 million short of the Illinois State Board of Education’s request for categorical reimbursements.

• Local Impact: The District expects only 75% reimbursement for Regular Ed transportation and 60% for Special Ed transportation.

• School Calendar: The 2026-2027 school year will begin with Teacher Institutes on August 12-13, with students starting August 14.

During the February 23, 2026, meeting of the Casey-Westfield School Board, Superintendent Mike Shackelford provided a financial update regarding Governor J.B. Pritzker’s recent Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal.

While acknowledging that the federal government passed a fully funded education bill and that the Governor recommended an additional $305 million in Evidence-Based Funding—the statutory minimum—Shackelford cautioned the Board about shortfalls in specific reimbursement categories.

The Governor’s proposal includes an additional $51 million for “Mandated Categoricals” and $1.3 million for Career and Technical Education. However, Shackelford noted that these recommendations fall “well short of the $151 million requested by ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) to maintain the status quo on reimbursements to districts.”

As a result of this gap, Shackelford projected that Casey-Westfield will see prorations of 75% for Regular Education transportation reimbursements and only 60% for Special Education transportation reimbursements.

Regarding the district’s current finances, Shackelford reported that the district is operating on budget through the first two quarters of Fiscal Year 2026.

The Board also took action on academic calendars. The updated 2025-2026 calendar was approved, setting the final day for students as May 26, 2026, with a final Teacher Institute day on May 27. Looking forward, the Board approved the 2026-2027 School Calendar. The next school year will begin with two days of Teacher Institute on August 12 and 13, with students reporting for their first day on August 14.