Vermilion County’s public school districts are trying to get the word out about a proposal on the March ballot which seeks a 1-percent increase in sales taxes. The new money generated from the increase would be used exclusively for school facility purposes.
The Westville Unit 2 School District would receive $550-thousand dollars in new money if the proposal passes. It is projected that Georgetown-Ridge Farm Unit 4 Schools would receive $433-thousand dollars in new money. Other districts through-out the county would also get additional money to support their local schools.
Some items would be exempt from the new sales tax hike…including groceries, medicine, vehicles, mobile homes, ATVs or RVs, and farm equipment, seed and fertilizer.
In a message to taxpayers in the Georgetown-Ridge Farm School District, Dr Jean Neal says the money could be used to pay off certain facility debt, reduce property taxes, build new school facilities, renovate current buildings or improve building safety.
The Westville Unit 2 School Board has identified three priorities where it would like to spend the new money. The top priority would be to reduce property taxes. The district is currently paying-off facility debt from replacing roofs at Judith Giacoma Elementary School and Westville Junior High, installing air conditioning at al buildings and a boiler replacement. [Photo is of Westville Superintendent Seth Miller.]
Secondly, the Westville School Board says the new money would go toward preventative maintenance. And third, the new funds could be used to improve opportunities for students. Some of the areas being considered include building an early childhood learning center on Judith Giacoma School with a cafetorium capable of hosting district-wide pre-school and daily physical education for all students.
Other improvements being considered in the Westville Unit 2 District include building additional classroom space at the Junior High and renovating cafeteria/locker rooms to allow for sixth grade instruction on the junior high campus.
The Westville School Board says further down its priority list is a proposal to build a performing arts auditorium, renovate restrooms, upgrade track and football facilities, and install air conditioning in the varsity gymnasium.
Other school districts in Vermilion County also have plans if the referendum passes.
Danville District 118 Superintendent Alicia Geddis says the Danville Public School district supports the efforts of county schools to get more money for their schools. Currently the sales tax in Danville is 9.25 percent.
If the proposed sales tax hike is approved by voters on March 20th, the tax would add 35-cents to a $35 tank of gasoline. Someone buying $8 worth of fast-food would pay an additional 8-cents. But there would be no increase in the sales tax for groceries.
