Peotone School Board Approves $15.6 Million Tax Levy, Opens Door for $4.9 Million Bond Sale

Peotone CUSD 207-U Meeting | December 15, 2025

Article Summary:

The Peotone CUSD 207-U Board of Education approved a $15.6 million tentative tax levy for 2025 and initiated the process to issue nearly $5 million in working cash bonds. The board also highlighted a significant reduction in district credit card spending, which has dropped by more than half compared to the previous year.

Peotone School District 207-U Key Points:

• The 2025 total requested levy for operating funds is $15,657,873, representing a 2.9% increase over the 2024 extension.

• A public hearing was held for the intent to sell up to $4,965,000 in working cash fund bonds to bolster district reserves.

• District credit card (P-card) spending hit an all-time low of $6,400 in December, down from $25,000 in December 2024.

• All district schools received “Commendable” ratings in the 2024-2025 State Assessment Data, with no underperforming subgroups.

The Peotone School District 207-U Board of Education on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, moved to solidify the district’s multi-year financial plan by adopting a $15,657,873 tentative tax levy and holding a public hearing on the issuance of $4,965,000 in working cash bonds.

Business Manager Adrian Fulgencio presented the 2025 levy, explaining that the request is designed to capture all legally entitled revenue from new construction and rising property values. While the district is subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), it is projecting an 11.85% increase in Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) based on preliminary data from Will County.

“It is good practice to ask for slightly more than your projected extension limit,” Fulgencio noted in his report, explaining that this “ballooning” approach ensures the district captures revenue from new construction that might otherwise be lost. The final tax calculations will not be signed off by the counties until March 2026.

Simultaneously, the board addressed its intent to issue working cash fund bonds. During a public hearing, the board discussed selling up to $4,965,000 in bonds to increase the district’s working cash fund. One resident inquired whether the district could sell unused property to raise funds instead of borrowing. Superintendent Brandon Owens acknowledged it as a possibility but noted that selling district assets involves a complex legal and financial process.

Board Vice President Ashley Stachniak provided a positive update on the district’s internal spending controls. She reported that December’s P-card spending was $6,400, a sharp decline from the $25,000 spent during the same month last year. Year-to-date spending is currently just over $60,000, compared to $133,000 at this time last school year.

“We’ve reduced that by more than half, which is phenomenal,” Stachniak said, attributing the drop to stricter parameters put in place by the board and administration.

In academic news, Assistant Superintendent Carole Zurales presented the 2024-2025 state assessment data. All four district schools—Peotone Elementary, Peotone Intermediate Center, Peotone Junior High, and Peotone High School—received “Commendable” ratings. Zurales highlighted that Peotone High School’s graduation rate stands at 88% and emphasized that Illinois has “right-sized” assessment performance levels to better align with college and career readiness.