Galesburg Schools Superintendent Ralph Grimm says having a competitive school district will help attract new residents to area.
The Galesburg School District is facing a $2.2 million dollar shortfall.
The superintendent says he wants to raise the tax levy possibly by 35 cents. That would increase the transportation fund rate by 11 cents and the tort fund rate by 24 cents.
Grimm says the quality of the school system is something people consider when deciding where to live, possibly helping to grow the city’s population.
But the superintendent tells WGIL that they also want to consider what current residents can reasonably give.
“We know that we can’t tax our residents outside of Galesburg, but on the other hand, we have to have enough revenue from all sources to be able to maintain what we have and not step backwards,” Grimm says. “Because those around us are moving forward.”
Grimm says the district has already made about $2.6 million in cuts that hurt its staff, kids and community.
For a $70,000 house, a 35 cent increase could cost the homeowner an additional $90 a year.
Grimm talked with the Galesburg Board of Education about increasing the tax levy and the district’s shortfall at its meeting earlier this month.
He expects to present the board with a number of levy options at the meeting next month. Galesburg school district’s current tax levy is $4.70.
