ABOVE: Salt Fork superintendent Phil Cox had stated his case for the schools referendum to the Vermilion County Board.
On Tuesday’s Election Day (April 4th), a proposed sales tax referendum for schools fell short for the third time over a six year period. The proposal would have added one percent of sales tax throughout Vermilion County, with the funding raised going to all county public schools. Although the money would not have been used for textbooks or teachers salaries, it would have been used for capital projects, security measures such the hiring of resource officers, and also lowering property taxes.
Salt Fork Superintendent Phil Cox was one of the most ardent supporters of this, pointing out that other areas such as Champaign County have made this work. But once again, the answer was no.
AUDIO: Each school district will just have to look at their district needs and their budgets, and make the best decisions possible without this source of funding. Again, as we look at counties around us, such as Champaign, that have it; it is very evident, the difference between their facilities and ours.
The proposed referendum also came up short in 2018 and 2020.
