Mt. Pulaski School Board votes to hold tax levy rate flat based on increases in Estimated Assessed Values of property

 

[December 20, 2023] 

The Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education called their regular meeting to order on December 18, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the MPGS Learning Center, all school board members were in attendance.

The first item on the agenda was to enter Executive Session to discuss employment and the purchase of property. The Board returned to open session at 7:00PM.

Superintendent Lamkey conducted the Truth in Taxation Hearing to inform the public that he was projecting an increase in the district's Equalized Assessed Valuation to exceed 5% for the upcoming fiscal year. Each year, the school district must levy taxes for the upcoming fiscal year without knowing the value of district property. In order to not lose tax revenues, the district conducts a balloon levy which prescribes a high estimate for the value of district properties. If the district underestimates the levy, there would be lost revenues for the district. No matter how high the district levies for taxes, they will only receive the amount the county clerk allows in accordance with rate limits and bond payments. In short, the school district is not raising the tax for their residents. There were no attendees or questions at the hearing which adjourned at 7:02 PM.

In Public Recognition, the 7th Grade Honeybears Basketball team was recognized for their 3rd place finish in the State Tournament. Both the 7th and 8th Grade girls basketball teams finished the season with 20 plus victories. This marked the 7th time in 10 years that the girls basketball team advanced to the state tournament. The team will celebrate their season with a team dinner at the Pizza Man.

The first action item was the approval of the Consent Agenda. Superintendent Lamkey reported that there were no questions to the district office concerning bills and that the sales tax revenues totaled $32,163. The Board approved the Consent Agenda 7-0.

Under Reports, Mr. Lamkey informed the Board about a FOIA request inquiring about the district air quality testing. After reviewing records and speaking with district staff, Mr. Lamkey determined that there has been no air quality testing in the current district buildings.

In Unfinished Business, the Board voted 7-0 to adopt the proposed tax levy for the 2024-25 school year. Rising EAV and reserve reductions will allow the district to maintain current tax rates and potentially lower them for next year.

Under New Business, the Board approved abatement of the General Obligation School Building Bonds and the General Obligation Alternate Revenue Bonds. The Building Bond abatement was for $140,000 as prescribed by the 2018 Board resolution. This abatement reduces tax payer obligations toward the high school construction project of 2020-2021. The Alternate Revenue Bond abatement is for $195,000 and paid through county sales tax revenues. The Alternate Bond also reduces the cost of the high school construction. The two items passed
7-0.

Mrs. Fricke then recommended three changes to the MPHS Course Catalog for the 2025 school year. All changes were in the Business Department:

● Depending on the number of students interested, Accounting classes may be taught in person or online.

● The Accounting Class was changed to Entrepreneurship.

● The Consumer Science Class will now be eligible for dual credit.

The Board approved these changes 7-0. In other conversation, Mr. Wilham asked what changes could be made to increase our band numbers in high school. Mr. Pluhm will work with Mrs. Fricke to brainstorm ideas for the program.

The Board offered tentative approval at the November meeting for the boys basketball team and cheerleaders to stay overnight in Savoy during the Christmas Tournament. The tournament schedule on back to back days creates a hardship in timing and travel making the request appropriate. The Board approved the request 7-0.

Next, the Board approved an addendum (7-0) to Superintendent Lamkey’s contract to pay for 10 unused sick days after his retirement.

The administration then made staffing recommendations for 2nd semester and next school year. The district will once again seek to hire an Instructional Coach at the grade school, an additional special education teacher for the high school and an Instructional Interventionist for the 2nd semester at the grade school. The Board agreed to have the administration seek candidates for all of the positions.

The Personnel Report was approved 7-0 containing 4 hires, 2 resignations and one postponement.

Hires

○ Hannah Cameron as MPGS Volleyball Coach

○ Lisa Leonard as the MPGS Volunteer Assistant Volleyball Coach and 5th and 6th Grade Volleyball Coach

○ Jamie Anderson and Mindy Switzer as Co-5th and 6th Grade Boys Basketball Coaches.

○ Mackenzy Payne as the MPGS Assistant Softball Coach for 2024-25.

Resignations

○ Jim Bishop as MPGS Head Custodian - postponed
○ Alora Sheley as MPGS and MPHS Volleyball Coach
○ Hannah Cameron as MPGS Assistant Volleyball Coach

In a separate motion, Emma Aper was hired as the MPGS Assistant Volleyball Coach with a 6-0 vote, Blane Olson voted present.

Items of Information:

High School

● Grace Davis was selected the December Student of the Month The meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM

The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the MPGS Learning Center.

[Sarah Farris]