Union School District 81 Receives Top Marks

(The following press release was issued Friday, Nov. 2 by the Union School District 81)

JOLIET, IL - It has been a remarkable week for Union School District 81. The latest Illinois Report Card shows Union School District 81 performing in the top 10 percent of all schools statewide and being designated with the top rating of Exemplary.

The students taking the PARCC assessment showed a greater percentage of growth meeting/exceeding the standards than that of any school in Will County.

“This transformation is incredible. In 2011, Union performed better than only 8 percent of the schools statewide. Now we are in the top 10 percent," stated Superintendent Tim Baldermann.

For the fifth straight year, Union School District 81 received the highest financial rating possible in the State (Recognition). After closing out the books in June of this year, Union School District 81 saw an unexpected surplus due to receiving additional funding and budgeted expenditures coming in less than anticipated.

“We are pleased to be able to reimburse homeowners over 20 percent f the property taxes they paid to the school district,” Baldermann said. “Although we are not legally required to do so, we believe this money should be returned to the taxpayers. Additionally, our families pay no registration fees, we provide one-to-one technology for our students, and they all receive free breakfast and lunch.”

Board President Patrick Sweeney stated “The Superintendent and Board of Education are pleased to provide a great education for our students while providing fiscal responsibility to our taxpayers.”

Union School District 81 serves parts of New Lenox and Joliet.

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