No Tax Raise For 3rd Consecutive Year in District 230

The High School District 230 board of education, which includes the Sandburg, Stagg and Andrew high schools, voted to adopt a property tax levy of $106.4 million at a meeting last Thursday.

The tax makes up about 86 percent of the district’s annual revenue, reported the Regional News.

And while $106.4 million may seem like a huge sum of money to levy in taxes, it actually represents the school district’s solid track record of fiscal responsibility.

How?

It’s the third consecutive year that the district has asked for $106.4 million, and the fourth year in the past five that the district has not increased its tax levy.

“We continue to increase what we offer to the district. We still provide our students with top-quality educational opportunities. I think the students and taxpayers are getting their money’s worth,” Dr. James Gay, superintendent of the district, told the Regional News . “It’s not easy, but it is right for the kids and right for the community.”

Gay also said that the district has had 12 straight balanced budgets, while 67 percent of school districts in Illinois experience budget deficits.

School Board President Rick Nogal also spoke about the district’s good financial standing. The district has “financial recognition,” status with the Illinois Board of Education and a AA rating from Standard & Poor’s.

“We are firmly committed to being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers while providing the outstanding education our students deserve and our community expects,” Nogal told the Regional News.