The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
For the third time, Illini West High School board has joined other school districts in Hancock County, seeking a 1 percent sales tax for schools in the county.The tax request, approved at their meeting July 17, will be sent to the Regional Superintendent John Meixner who will submit it to the county clerk. School boards representing at least 50 percent of the students in the county must approve a request for the sales tax before it is placed on the November 5, 2024, ballot.
According to Meixner, Nauvoo-Colusa, LaHarpe, and now Illini West have approved the request. More county districts are expected to pass a request before the deadline August 19.
If approved by voters, the retailers’ occupation and service occupation tax could only be used for school facilities, resource officers, and mental health professionals. Similar sales tax questions were on the April 2023 and March 2024 election ballots, but failed.
“There is a continuing need for school facilities. We still feel this is the best approach to address these needs,” said Superintendent Jay Harnack.
“I believe this is the least impactful step for our residents without raising property taxes.”
According to information from Harnack, the tax would be imposed on all items now affected by Illinois sales tax. It would not be added to purchases of unprepared food intended for home consumption (groceries); drugs including vitamins and over the counter meds; farm equipment, parts and inputs like fertilizer and seed; and licensed and titled vehicles, boats and RVs.
The tax funds can be spent only for very specific purposes. Funds can be used on Life/Safety work and other approved facility expenses or saved for future building needs; to abate taxes on bond issues for facility improvements; and for school resource officers and mental health professionals.
Interest on the funds can be transferred to other school funds.
The sales tax funds cannot be used for salaries, utilities, supplies, other operational costs, or equipment such as computers or buses.
“Over half the counties in the state now have this sales tax,” said Meixner. “Just look at what is happening in those counties where this has passed. It is transformational.” Meetings to explain the referendum to district residents will be planned during the fall.
In other business, the board authorized Harnack to prepare a tentative budget for the 2024-2025 school year. It will be available for viewing on Aug. 16. A hearing on the proposed budget will be held during the school board meeting on September 18.
The IW board’s July meeting was held in the newly-acquired district office at the corner of Marion and Walnut streets in Carthage. Harnack reported on other progress of summer work projects.
Principal Amanda Congdon reported that seven students had earned class credit during the summer credit recovery session that ended on June 30. Students who did not complete credits will be given a tutoring section in their fall schedule to continue that work.
Registration is the week of July 29 with in-person registration from noon to 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, and online for the rest of the week.
The first day back for teachers is Monday, Aug.19, with two institute days. The first day for students is Wednesday Aug. 21. Freshman Loop and open house is Monday, Aug. 19.
In personal action, Olivia Luzadder was approved as a science teacher effective Jan. 3, 2025.
Support staff approved include Sawyer Johnson as head volleyball coach, Shane Murphy as assistant golf coach, Sarah Salsman as class of 2026 sponsor, and Melissa Johnson as volunteer Ag/FFA assistant.
The resignations of Molly Edwards as ag teacher and FFA sponsor, and of Grant Surprenant as Class of 2026 sponsor were approved.
Second readings of the Student Behavior and Discipline Code and of Board Policy updates were approved. First and final readings of the transportation handbook and the employee handbook were approved.
Building materials related to lighting and wiring were declared as surplus, allowing them to be sold or disposed.