By WILL BRUMLEVE
will@fordcountychronicle.com
PAXTON — With Ford County’s property tax cycle delayed once again, local taxing bodies are getting frustrated.
The Paxton-Buckley-Loda school district’s associate superintendent, Travis Duley, told the school board last week that he and Superintendent Cliff McClure would be sending a letter on behalf of the district to Ford County officials expressing their concerns about the situation and a desire to see an improved tax collection and distribution process in the future.
PBL will not be alone, either, in expressing that sentiment. McClure said Ford County’s other two public school districts — Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley and Tri-Point — are also sending letters that will state much of the same.
“It’s just to express that desire on our end that, ‘Hey, this needs to be done following the tax cycle,’” Duley said, “and to make sure they’re aware of how this affects (taxing) bodies like ourselves.”
For the second time in three years, Ford County’s taxing bodies will be waiting longer than normal to receive their tax revenue. It is expected that tax bills for 2021 will not be mailed to landowners until late summer. In 2020, tax bills for 2019 were not mailed until mid-August, and taxing bodies did not receive tax revenue until after the first and second installments were due on Sept. 18, and Nov. 6, respectively.
Based on conversations with county officials, Duley said he expects it to be late September before local taxing bodies receive their first payments from the county this year.
Last week, the board of commissioners for the Paxton Park District voted to potentially obtain a $40,000 short-term loan as a result of the anticipated delay in receiving payment. The cash-strapped park district did the same in 2020 in order to cover its bills.
“It’s frustrating,” the park district’s recreation director, Cody Evans, said last month. “Hopefully, (the county) can get it figured out. I’m sure they will.”
Ford County Treasurer Krisha Shoemaker attributed the delay in the tax cycle to staff changeover in the supervisor of assessments’ office, which is currently without a chief assessor. Last year, there was no delay in the tax cycle, as bills for 2020 went out May 28 with payment deadlines of July 2 and Sept. 10.
Other business
Also at last Wednesday’s school board meeting:
— As a result of difficulties in finding a Spanish teacher for PBL High School, Duley said options are being explored to still offer Spanish next school year but possibly with no Spanish teacher physically present. Duley said a “live feed” would instead be used to hold classes online with a paraprofessional present. A possible problem with that scenario, however, is finding a paraprofessional, Duley said, noting that “right now we can’t get enough paraprofessionals to fill up the regular positions we have.” Duley said he would continue exploring “different options” to “provide Spanish 3 and 4 for our students” in upcoming weeks, including an “actual live feed” or “programs that we can provide in class and be supported by a teacher.” Duley said he would provide a recommendation for the board’s consideration in August.
— The board approved notification of the superintendent starting the budgeting process for the 2022-23 fiscal year, which began July 1. McClure said the budgeting process was already “well under way.” McClure said he would like the finance committee to meet with him at 5 p.m. immediately prior to the board’s Aug. 10 meeting to discuss the proposed budget, which will be up for approval in September.
— The board approved the hiring of Taylor Flynn as junior high school assistant principal, Hannah McDermaid as elementary school assistant principal, Laura Perez as high school secretary, Madisyn Rose and Michelle Mitchell as elementary school paraprofessionals, and Charles Hutchcraft and Jake LeClair as high school assistant football coaches.
— The board reaffirmed the resignations of Wendy Niebuhr as elementary school math interventionist, Kim Ward as high school secretary and Kerry Scorza as high school paraprofessional.
— The board approved Lindsay Jordahl as a volunteer junior high softball coach.
— Board member Brittney Gehrt was appointed to the board’s finance committee, and board member Jason Dirks was appointed to its building and grounds committee.
— The board approved Elson’s Paxton Sanitary System as the school district’s waste service provider for the 2022-23 school year. Elson’s bid of $13,281 was up by about $1,700 from its contract with PBL from last year, Duley said. The bid was the only one received.
— McClure reviewed summer maintenance projects and their progress. “There’s been quite a bit completed over the last month,” McClure said. McClure said the junior high school library has been painted in preparation for new shelving to be installed in August and new furniture this winter. McClure said electrical work at the high school is completed, and HVAC work is under way in the junior high school’s gymnasium. McClure said HVAC work is not yet started in the junior high school’s hallways because of supply-chain issues for valves that are needed.
— The board approved a $100 donation from Richard Meyer for the PBL Backpack Program.
— The board approved a technology report for the 2022-23 school year from Technology Coordinator Dustin Franckey.
— The board approved the board’s annual calendar of meetings.
— The board heard reports on summer camps, the extended school year and summer school from Duley, Assistant Superintendent Tara Tighe-Chandler, PBL Junior High School Principal Josh Didier.
— The board approved updated prices for breakfast and lunch at all three of the district’s schools. However, McClure said that he and Duley continue to work to secure a community eligibility provision for Clara Peterson Elementary School, which would allow for free breakfast and lunch for its students.
— The board discussed online courses at PBL High School for the 2022-23 school year.
— The board approved new and revised school board policies as recommended by the district’s policy review committee. Among the policies approved, McClure said, is a policy regarding parental permission being required for students to visit with a therapy dog while in school. A permission form will be provided to parents.
— The board and Superintendent Cliff McClure recognized a retiring paraprofessional who has been working for the district since 1993.
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