School Board President Gerald Pauling wished everyone the happiest of holidays. He extended his appreciation to Dr. Wakeley who is a conduit to the community through engagement, a goal the Board set for Dr. Wakeley when he became superintendent. Dr. Wakeley attended the statewide Superintendents' Roundtable and is active in the Illinois High School District Association to represent H-F and bring ideas back to the school. He also organizes regular meetings for the superintendent, board president, and local mayors to take to heart the challenges of the villages and share what is happening here at H-F. The key decision-makers are kept informed through these meetings.
Board approves Tax Levy Request
The Board of Education approved the tax levy request of 4.98% over the previous capped extension before abatements. This request will allow the school district to capture the full amount possible and is significantly below the Consumer Price Index of 7.0%.
The levy extension will help the district cover the increased cost of salaries and benefits, high inflation, the increased cost of goods and services, and a projected $2.5 million per year in maintenance project costs, not including renovations and additions. The district relies heavily on local revenue to fund programming and to maintain its buildings and grounds as 59% of the district’s revenue comes from real estate taxes.
At the November Board meeting, the Board approved the estimated levy and there has been no change since that time. The levy indicates a total capped fund levy of $43,600,000 (before tax abatements), which is 4.98% above the 2021 extension of $41,530,395 (before tax abatements). Any additional dollars above 5.0% will directly result from new property growth within the District’s property tax base.
New Course - AP African American Studies approved
According to College Board, for more than a decade, the AP Program has worked alongside colleges, universities, and secondary schools to create an AP course in African American studies. Drawing from the expertise and experience of college faculty and teachers across the country, the course is designed to offer high school students an evidence-based introduction to African American studies.
