The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
A public hearing on the proposed Illini West High School property tax levy increase will be held on Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. at the beginning of the board’s regular December meeting. Anyone wanting to make comments at the hearing may contact Superintendent Jay Harnack. The board now meets at their new offices at 403 Walnut Street in Carthage.
At their meeting Wednesday, Nov. 20, the board approved a tentative levy of $4,424,080. This is a dollar amount that is requested for the FY25 budget. It is based on the estimated assessed property values in the district applied to the current tax rate.
Harnack explained that the amount is a 9 percent increase over the 2023 total property taxes extension of $4,051,913. The request is based on applying the current voter approved tax rates to an unknown increase in the value of property in the district.
“When an estimate is not available, it is important that districts ‘balloon’ their levy in order to be conservative in estimating any potential growth,” Harnack explained. “This accounts for large increases in the levy often shown in Truth in Taxation documents. This does not increase the tax rate,” Harnack said.
The levy is an “ask,” he noted. However the district only receives the amount generated by the tax rate applied to the final assessed value of the district property.
“IWHS tax rates remain near 10-year lows and 11 cents lower than they were nine years ago,” Harnack said. “Our district will continue to work to find a balance between maximizing opportunities for our students and minimizing the impact on our taxpayers.”
The board approved applying for a state maintenance grant of $50,000 to upgrade the parking lot. The work includes grinding, grading, and compacting the asphalt parking lot to address drainage issues.
Rock will be replaced as needed along with two coats of oil and chip seal. The total cost of the work is $150,000, with the balance not covered by the grant to be paid by the district. Work would be done during the summer.
Principal Amanda Congdon reported on the successful Veterans Day program that was held jointly with Carthage and Dallas City elementary School Districts. She thanked the faculty and students who worked to create the honor for area veterans.
Congdon announced that freshman Owen Jarrell and senior Lorelei Moss were accepted and performed in the 2024 District IV Festival Senior Honor Band and Senior Honor Choir on Saturday, Nov. 2, at WIU.
The board approved the bid of $18,790 from DEM Services, Inc., for asbestos removal in the former district office. Five bids were received.
The board approved a funding request to Carthage Elementary School District for utilities and improvements to the parking lot, based on the current building lease agreement between the two districts.
The following staff appointments were approved:Christine Carver as custodian, beginning Nov. 25; 2025-26 school year coaching assignments to Ryan Bliss as cross country coach; Christine Murphy as head golf coach; Jacob Calvin as head football coach; and Sawyer Johnson as head volleyball coach.
An early graduation request was approved for senior Peyton Bundy.