School board members in rural Illinois said district consolidation will ease staff shortages made worse by the pandemic. A statewide look at district consolidation could cut administrative overhead and put $732 million more into classrooms.
One rural school needs a science teacher. The other can't offer AP classes. Leaders say combining into a brand-new district could solve both problems and more. It would be the first consolidation in five years.
9 & 10 News Voters said yes to one ballot proposal, and no to the other.
May 6, 2021
“Taxpayers supported the operating millage for Leland Public School which allows us to keep our doors open,” said Leland School Board President Bill Robinson.
Voters passed the operating millage for the Leland School – it will raise over $4 million for the school’s operating expenses. Leland Public School Superintendent Stephanie Long said, “The millage is for our operating expense, it’s what required of us to collect from taxpayers to receive our state aid.”
But voters said no to a smaller request – the Sinking Fund would have brought in $200,000 a year for three years. It’s a fairly common “ask” that typically happens every three years. “They’re both tax levies,” says Long.