A public hearing on the 2024 property tax levy for Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 for payments due next year turned into a nearly hourlong discussion about spending, with less said about taxes or revenue.
Though the tax levy was increased by nearly 5%, Gwen Polk, the district’s associate superintendent for business and financial services, said a final decision on actually increasing taxes will come in April when the extension is determined. The amount can then adjust downward.
For the last five years, the District 60 Board of Education avoided raising taxes as the community struggled with the economic conditions arising out of the coronavirus pandemic, and the federal government provided millions of dollars in COVID relief.
“The reason we go up to 5% is we do not know what the (assessment) is going to be, so it gives the board the ability to not leave dollars on the table in the event they want to raise the taxes,” Polk said.
The District 60 Board of Education unanimously approved a $55.4 million real estate tax levy after a public hearing Tuesday at the Lincoln Center administration building in Waukegan, allowing it to use the money for both the current and next school years.
Though the board approved its $328 million budget for the current school year in September with limited discussion from the public, this hearing was different as people talked about expenses and levied unrelated criticism on the board and administration.
Ray Vukovich, a one-time member of both the Waukegan City Council and the school board, said during the public hearing the focus should be how the money is spent, and not on the taxes themselves. When a $30 million bond issue was recently approved, it meant an increase in taxes, he said.
“People don’t mind if they see a value for it; if they see scores going up, not salaries of administrators going up,” Vukovich said. “The only way you’re going to get the budget in line, you’re going to have to make some reductions there.”
After several members of the public complained about administrator pay and certain supplies lacking in the classrooms and buildings, board member Adriana Gonzalez said it is the responsibility of her and her colleagues to find a way to meet needed obligations.
As a recent first-time homeowner herself who will now be paying property taxes, Gonzalez said she can identify with those who are impacted when taxes increase. She also accepts her responsibility.
“It sucks,” she said. “It’s money I don’t want to spend extra. I know it hurts families, but where else are we going to put our stake in the sand to educate our kids? We are the taxing body that has to say, ‘OK, this money has got to go to the schools.’”
Board member Christine Lensing wanted to know if the district is applying for a tax relief grant offered by the state of Illinois to school districts to help them when real estate tax revenue is insufficient. Polk said the district applies, but does not get selected.
“We’ve always fallen below that maximum amount,” Polk said. “It has to do with our taxes are just not as high as similar school districts.”
With the bulk of the district’s revenue coming from the state’s equity-based funding program — $169.5 million — Polk said those receiving the credit have more tax revenue than Waukegan. The district is currently striking a working balance between the two, she said.
Lensing and some members of the public questioned Polk about how revenue is allocated among the district’s many needs. Federal COVID relief money of more than $67 million was spent over the last few years on essentials within the timeframe the federal government set.
“This is a perfect storm,” Polk said. “It is a time of uncertainty. The priorities have to be discussed, and what is most important will have to be funded, which is what we’ve done. That information was presented to the Board of Education line by line, goal by goal and strategy by strategy.”
Polk said all of that information is available to the public.