301 Budget Blueprint
📊 Launching 301 Budget Blueprint: A Transparent Look at Our Finances
As one of the fastest-growing school districts in Illinois, Central 301 is committed to maintaining high-quality learning environments, responsible fiscal stewardship, and transparency in how we use taxpayer dollars. That’s why we are launching 301 Budget Blueprint — a new series designed to give our community a clear, accessible look at how our district manages and spends public funds.
Each post will focus on a different part of our budget — from transportation to building maintenance to staff compensation. While school finance can be complex, our goal is to make it easier to understand by breaking things down into manageable topics. These updates will be shared both on social media and in more detail here on our website.
We know families care deeply about how dollars are spent. Whether you are a parent, staff member, or community resident, we invite you to follow along and learn more.
🔍 Spotlight on the Education Fund (Fund 10)
The Education Fund is the heart of our school budget. It covers the majority of what people think of when they think of “school” — from teacher salaries to textbooks to classroom supplies.
What it funds:
- Salaries and benefits for instructional and student support staff, administrators, and administrative staff
- Classroom supplies/materials, curriculum resources, and interventions
- Special education, multilingual, and early childhood programming
- Technology, athletics, food service, and communication services
Where the money comes from:
- Local property taxes
- State-Evidence-Based Funding (EBF)
- Federal and state grants (including Title funds, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Medicaid, National School Lunch Program)
- Registration, technology fees, driver’s education fees
- Student lunches and athletics’ revenue
- Interest and transition fees
Every dollar in the Education Fund is tied directly to the experience our students have every day in school. Understanding this fund helps paint the broader picture of how your investment in Central 301 supports real learning.
➡️ Keep checking back for each new installment of 301 Budget Blueprint, or follow us on social media:
📘 Facebook: @centralschooldistrict301
🐦 X / Twitter: @Central301
📸 Instagram / Threads: @Central_CUSD301
#WeAreCentral 🚀