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School districts across McLean County line up behind sales tax referendum

Covered entrance to Olympia High School with several plants in front of the building
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Olympia High School
The Olympia school board approved the resolution for a countywide sales tax referendum on Dec. 2.

A vast majority of school districts in McLean County have joined Unit 5 and District 87 schools in endorsing the school facilities sales tax referendum that voters will consider in April.

The countywide sales tax, which a majority of Illinois counties have adopted, would add a 1% sales tax on goods such as retail products, gasoline, and online purchases. The revenue could be used for school facility improvements, as well as school safety and security, mental health support and other areas.

Olympia

The school board in the Stanford-based school system in western McLean County approved the resolution Dec. 2.

“This would be a gamechanger for us. A million dollars annually, given our operating budget, is pretty substantial. We could do great things for kids with this additional revenue,” said superintendent Laura O’Donnell.

O’Donnell said the district plans to have more detailed conversations in January about funding priorities, but added it would likely explore areas that were forbidden from getting funding the last time the county tried to pass the sales tax in 2014: student mental health and school safety and security.

“There would definitely be a portion of it that we would be looking at to use in that capacity,” said O’Donnell, adding the district could look to hire mental health counselors.

She said the district would also look to offer property tax relief.

Olympia schools already receive about $275,000 in funding from a school facilities sales tax in Logan County. That funding can be used at Olympia South Elementary in Atlanta and can support students from Logan County who attend Olympia Middle School and High School.

Tri-Valley

The Tr-Valley school board approved the resolution on Wednesday. Superintendent of the school system in Downs, Ben Derges, said the district anticipates $1.5 million from the new tax — if it is approved.

“While no formal plans have been set, the district will certainly include property tax abatement,” said Derges, adding the district also plans to prioritize school safety enhancements and student mental health support. “Facility improvements or projects would be considered after those first three priorities have been met,” he said.

LeRoy

LeRoy schools approved a resolution of support for the measure during at a Dec. 9 school board meeting.

The district intends to use one-third of the revenue to offer property tax relief, and the remainder would be split evenly between school security/mental health and facility improvements, according to superintendent Jeff Baughmann.

Heyworth

The Heyworth school district, which also adopted the resolution on Wednesday, estimates the district would get about $1 million per year through the tax.

“The (school) board wants to prioritize reducing the property tax burden either through abatement or offsetting expenses,” said superintendent Lisa Taylor.

El Paso-Gridley

The El Paso-Gridley school system endorsed the plan during the school board’s Monday meeting. The district estimates the tax would generate $445,000 to support its 344 students who live in McLean County, according to superintendent DeAnn Heck.

Prairie Central

The Fairbury-based school system that includes a sliver of northeastern McLean County near Chenoa has not acted on the resolution.

“The Prairie Central board has been focusing on their referendum possibilities,” superintendent Paula Crane said. “They do not plan to take actions."

Voters in the Prairie Central school district rejected a referendum in November to sell $45 million in bonds for school building maintenance projects.

Crane said the district could expect to receive about $420,000 per year from the tax.

Blue Ridge

The Farmer City-based school system was adopted the resolution on Wednesday. Superintendent Hillary Stanifer projects the district will receive about $81,000, based on the 63 students who reside in McLean County.

Ridgeview

The Colfax-based school system in eastern McLean County signed off on the resolution during its meeting on Tuesday, according to Superintendent Erik Young.

Young said the district will consider property tax relief, boosting funding for school resource officers and mental health professionals, along with renovations and repairs to school buildings, new construction and technology improvements.

Lexington

The Lexington school board plans to vote on the proposal at its Jan. 6 meeting.

Eric Stock is the News Director at WGLT. You can contact Eric at ejstoc1@ilstu.edu.