Glenview briefs: District 225 Board of Education updated on annual finances
On Nov. 9 the Glenbrook High Schools District 225 Board of Education heard a presentation by assistant superintendent for business services, Dr. R.J. Gravel, on the district's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
Summarizing the 203-page report, Gravel presented a couple highlights of the district's financial ratings - the renewal of AAA status by both S & P Global Ratings and Moody Investor Services.
Gravel added that the district maintained a fiscal rating of "strong," which he said was held by less than 10 districts in the nation. He said the Illinois State Board of Education gave District 225 a maximum financial rating of 4.0.
"The Triple-A rating does have a tremendous impact in the ability to borrow and the amount of money that ultimately needs to be paid back," Gravel said.
"In one of our most recent refunding activities this past August and September, as a result of the AAA (rating) instead of saving our taxpayers directly $900,000 as part of the refinance and refunding, we were able to save $1.7 million."
Public hearing on tax levy
Dr. Gravel also led a presentation on the proposed property tax levy increase for District 225. A public hearing on the matter will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 in the district's public meeting room at 3801 W. Lake Ave., Glenview. The Board of Education also will certify that levy on Dec. 14.
Considering the factors of Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 2.3%, estimated new property growth also of 2.3% and equalized assessed value for tax year 2019, the estimated 2020 levy presents a 4.6% increase. That doesn't take in amounts required for previously approved debt service payments, which were estimated to represent a 2.76% decrease from 2019-20.
The actual amount to be raised by taxes is limited by the maximum amount permissible under Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, which is the lesser of 5% or the or the applicable percentage increase in the CPI.
Anyone who would like to appear at the Dec. 14 public hearing and provide testimony to the taxing district should contact Dr. Rosanne Williamson at (847) 486-4701 or by email at rwilliamson@glenbrook225.org.
District board meetings also are available over Zoom, with meeting information provided closer to the date.
Character Counts
For those students who haven't submitted their work yet, the deadline for Glenview's Character Counts poster and video contest is Nov. 30.
Glenview students can depict one or more of the "six pillars of character" - trustworthiness, caring, citizenship, respect, fairness and responsibility - in poster or video form. This year's emphasis is on those supporting us during the coronavirus pandemic.
Students in kindergarten through fourth grade are asked to create posters; fifth- through eighth-graders are doing short videos. Three prize winners in several age-group categories will receive prizes by the Kiwanis Club of Glenview-Northbrook, and will be recognized at a Glenview Village Board meeting on Jan. 19.
It's advised to visit the Character Counts in Glenview website to see complete instructions on the contest; visit ccglenview.org.
Glenview Connect
In its effort to provide development strategies in several key areas of Glenview, the next interactive Village Board workshop is slated for 7 p.m. Nov. 18.
Residents can participate with ideas on areas such as The Glen, Glenview's downtown and the corridors Waukegan Road, Willow Road and Milwaukee Avenue. The Nov. 18 session looks at key drivers of urban planning, prioritizing areas of development, and the vision of the village.
This is a virtual meeting, through Zoom. Visit www.glenviewconnect.com for more information.