The Galesburg Board of Education last night approved a 4.98 percent tax levy increase.
Superintendent Ralph Grimm said that his support for this rate was in part in consideration with not raising taxes.
“We always walk that fine line between do we increase taxes, if so how much is enough?,” Grimm said. “What can the business community support? What can the community support?”
With the 4.98 percent increase, it will generate an additional $914,000 in revenue for the district.
There was comment from three members of the public and board members said they had a number of emails that urged the board to adopt an 8.29 percent increase.
Grimm said it was the first time in his career that he heard citizens requesting a higher tax levy that what was being proposed.
Board Members Bob Lindstrom and Wayne Statham voiced concern about a significant increase at a time they believe the board needs to work to regain the public’s trust in how they spend their tax dollars.
The 4.98 percent hike passed 6-1 with Jean Ann Glasnovich casting the lone dissenting vote.
In other news, the board gave unanimous approval for the district to withdraw from the Knox Warren Special Education Co-op.
Superintendent Ralph Grimm said that he expects student and staff levels to stay largely the same in special ed classes.
He also strongly refudiated rumors that current special-ed staff would lose their seniority and have to be re-hired as first year teachers.
The other co-op districts still have to approve the withdrawal before it’s finalized.
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