Schools
Costs Up A Lot In Lyons Township High School Budget
This year's property tax levy increase must be less than the last couple of years.
LA GRANGE, IL – Lyons Township High School's costs are up significantly in this year's budget, at a greater rate than the latest property tax hike, according to the school.
On Tuesday, the school board is set to vote on a tentative budget for the 2024-25 school year.
Under the budget, salaries are expected to be 6.1 percent higher than the previous budget year. Benefits are estimated to rise by 11.6 percent.
Find out what's happening in La Grangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Meanwhile, the school is receiving an estimated $4.6 million more in property tax income this year. This is the result of a 5 percent increase in the tax levy.
More than 90 percent of the school's income comes from property taxes.
Find out what's happening in La Grangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Because of high inflation, the board enacted 5 percent hikes in the last two years. Public bodies can raise their levies at the rate of inflation, up to the state cap of 5 percent.
Schools won't be able to go 5 percent for the next year. As of December 2023 – which is when inflation is gauged for levy purposes – the rate was 3.4 percent.
Also at Tuesday's board meeting, members are expected to discuss what to do with the school's 70 acres in Willow Springs. The proceeds of a sale would go toward building projects at the two campuses, officials say.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
