The Nov. 14 District 158 Board of Education Meeting began last night by honoring of the Marlowe Middle School boy’s Cross Country team after their first-place finish at the IESA state meet. The boys were invited to lead the pledge and were congratulated by the board and the general public. 

Head coach Brandy Swanson gave a speech congratulating the boys and the coaches for all their hard work and emphasizing the road taken to their great success.

After the departure of the boy’s cross country team, the board shifted to a discussion on Bill 1043. A representative had previously been sent down to Springfield to speak about the bill and its importance.

Bill 1043 focuses on making sure that 100% of the property tax is played by the community. In past years there has been a loss of funds in taxing due to refunds given on certain technicalities such as filing late or under special circumstances. 

“It’s just a technical change closing the loophole,” Chairwoman of Community Engagement Lesli Melendy said.

The bill will make sure all funding needed for the community is present, and although this bill was not passed in the veto session, it is predicted that it will still take effect through a similar bill to be passed at a later date.

With a continued discussion on taxing, the board was faced with the decision of whether to increase their levy for a construction balloon up from 1%. An increased balloon would mean more money prepared for construction in the following year. 

At 1% they would be covered for an addition $14.7 million worth of new construction. 

“This is the most important variable that affects this decision for construction,” Vice President Anthony Quagliano said. “Messing up these preliminary numbers may result in money that we are permanently losing.”

Ultimately the board moved to raise the preliminary levy to 1.5% with an objection only from Melendy.