Dieterich School Board Discusses Tax Swap Proposal

Dieterich school board members Tuesday discussed a tax swap proposal that may be considered by county voters in the spring election.

Dieterich Superintendent Cary Jackson said there would be a 14.24% reduction in property taxes for those living in the Dieterich District if the 1% sales tax increase is enacted.  The District would receive an estimated $424,000 per year that could be used for maintaining buildings and for construction.  The Board also heard that an estimated 54% of all taxable purchases made in Effingham County are by those who live outside the county, by far the highest percentage in the region.

The Dieterich Board chose to place the issue on the agenda for a vote in December that if approved would allow the question to be placed on the ballot for the March election.

The Board also reviewed a tentative tax levy for the coming fiscal year calling for a total levy of $3.95 including Bond and Interest, down from $4.01 last year.  The levy will be voted on at the December meeting.

Also Tuesday, the Dieterich board renewed an agreement with the Effingham County Health Department for health services, including nursing services, vision, hearing, immunizations and audiograms, and heard that the District's worker compensation insurance carrier would no longer be serving customers in Illinois so the District would be seeking a new carrier.

Jackson presented the Board with information on the bus fleet.  The Board authorized Jackson to seek bids on purchasing a newer off-lease bus while trading in three unused small buses and one large bus.  Jackson also reported that the Dieterich District was again selected by School Search for the Bright Star Award.  Dieterich was one of 91 districts, out of 866 in Illinois, recognized for its students ranking in the upper one-third of districts while expenditure per pupil ranks in the lower one-fourth of districts.

Elementary Principal Kathy Pattenaude and Junior-Senior High School Principal Kevin Haarman reported on parent-teacher conference held in late October, reported on planned activities for American Education Week, and reviewed the district's school report card from the State for last school year.

The Dieterich board approved a maternity leave for Valerie Niemerg following the birth of her child, and approved Ashley Rentfro as volunteer junior high volleyball assistant coach for next school year.