Adrian Martinez-De La Cruz

CHESTERTON — The Duneland School Corp. is proposing a budget of just over $95 million for 2026.

The spending plan is over $5.5 million more than this year's certified budget.

A public hearing on the budget was held after Monday night's School Board meeting.

The proposed budget includes $44.8 million for the education fund, which covers teacher salaries and educational expenses. While the amount is just over $2 million more than this year, Chief Financial Officer Lynn Kwilasz said the increase in state tuition funding was actually "minimal" since it included approximately $920,000 for curriculum materials, which they already receive.

"Unfortunately, that provides little opportunity to increase or expand student programs or services or to even keep up with inf

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