(Posted April 20, 2017)
By Sandi Latimer, Staff Writer
Voters in the Madison-Plains Local School District will see a 5.953-mill operating levy on the ballot in a special election Aug. 8. The millage is slightly higher than what district officials originally proposed.
The district was figuring on a 5.89-mill levy when it sent a request to the Madison County Auditor’s Office, declaring it necessary to put the levy question on the ballot.
However, the Auditor’s Office determined that the district would need a 5.953-mill levy to stave off the projected $2 million deficit. The district’s property tax valuation is $344,391,910.
If voters approve the levy, the new tax collection of the new tax would start in 2018 and last five years.
The district can make it through this coming year financially, but faces a deficit in the 2018-19 school year. District leaders have repeatedly said, “We can’t start the year if we’re going to have a deficit.”
Decision Day Assembly
Madison-Plains High School will hold its first Decision Day Assembly on May 3.
Guidance counselor Lauren Van Tuyl said the idea came from college-bound students who want recognition akin to student-athlete signing days.
“A lot of work has gone into this,” said Principal Matthew Unger.
Representatives from Urbana University, Capital University, Mount Carmel Nursing, U.S. Marines and U.S. Army will be on hand for the assembly, which will include students in grades seven through 12.
Decision Day is part of Spirit Week, May 1-4. Monday is “Your Future Will Rock Your Socks Off” and students will wear crazy socks. Tuesday is “Dress for Your Future” where students will dress for their career or college major. Wednesday is “College Gear Day” for the assembly, and Thursday is “Don’t Sleep on Your Future” for which students will wear pajamas.
“This is a week to celebrate our seniors who are choosing to expand their knowledge by going to college, as well as provide inspiration for the other students to work hard and get them looking at college,” said Van Tuyl.
A related item on the agenda was approval of this year’s graduating class. Eighty students will receive diplomas and one foreign exchange student will receive a certificate of attendance.
Elementary Principal Kim LeGault said sixth-grade student Molly Barber is the only Madison County student to get a first-place award in “The Laws of Life” short-story writing competition.
At the conclusion of the meeting, board members went into an executive session to consider personnel items.
