Tax levy set with 11.09% overal increase
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By Ben Crane
The Tuscola School Board approved their 2024 tentative tax levy with an overall increase of 11.09 percent. A truth in taxation hearing was set for Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
Any time a local government body increases its levy by more than 5 percent, a hearing is required. For school districts, some funds often at their maximum rate, so it’s common to set the levy higher than what the district expects to receive in order to “capture” any increase in equalized assessed valuation without raising the tax rates. In those cases, taxes would go up only if the value of the property goes up.
The Board also approved a number of donations, including $200 from John and Deann Brookins for North Ward Holidays, $200 from an anonymous donor for Help a Child, $100 from Kaskaskia Ladies Golf League for Help a Child, and $750 from Jim Kleiss on behalf of the Class of 1969 for special education.
In North Ward Principal Jason Wallace’s report, he reported that Tiger Trot in November raised $14,298.35 in donations from students and businesses. He also reminded the Board that the North Ward Winter Music Program for 1st and 2nd grades at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Dec. 12.
East Prairie Principal Jared Vanausdoll thanked Justin Bozarth and everyone at Tuscola High School involved with the Veteran’s Day assembly. He also congratulated EP students Claire Burlew, Garrison Chalfont, Linus Goodmann, Hannah Israel, and Lydia Koch, who participated in the ILMEA District 5 ensembles on Nov. 23.
He also congratulated the 6th grade ECO Club on an 8th place finish and the 7th grade girls basketball team on winning the Junior High Okaw Conference Championship. Vanausdoll also noted the October Students of the Month Alex Black for 5th grade, Hailey Vearil for 6th grade, Jacob Brucker for 7th grade, and Ayriana Alholwani for 8th grade.
TCHS Principal Justin Bozarth congratulated Andrew Spillman on being named November Rotary Student of the Month. He also announced that 11 seniors were named Illinois State Scholars: Andrew Bennett, Thomas Bennett, Ed Carpenter, Aiden Devlin, Jocelyn Ford, Carleigh Kleiss, Nathan Klie, Alex Lin, Allison Pettry, Brayden Taylor, and Olivia Wallace.
Pettry was chosen as the DAR recipient as well while David Hornaday was chosen as the SAR recipient. Bozarth went on to thank the band, chorus, and FFA for their participation during the Veteran’s Day assembly as well as the veterans who attended.
Finally, Bozarth noted that TCHS received a summative designation as a commendable school by ISBE. He reported that TCHS is in the top 25% of all high schools in Illinois.
To wrap up the meeting, the Board approved early graduates as well as the resignation of Hannah Steedly as JV volleyball coach.