Mitch, Jim and Alicia just took the oath of office.
Jim Rein was nominated for president again. (He won.)
Vice president nominees are Kathy McCormick. (She won.)
Softball concessions: Went out to bid for the project today. Will be back in May. The project is slightly smaller because of the sewer line that goes underneath. Projected costs are higher than the district would like. The increase cost is bringing utilities into the building. It’s pretty exciting that softball is getting a concession stand. #elite #sellthosehotdogs
TIF: The most updated agreement has been given to the board. Brooks is saying that the board should just talk about the agreement and not whether they think it should pass or not because he believes it will pass regardless. He is urging the board to work to protect the district and the district’s finances.
100 percent of existing ag and residential will go back to the district.
You can find the agreement here.
New commercial the district will only get 12 percent. New residential they will get 22 percent .
The village is proposing that if existing commercial makes any changes within the TIF using TIF district funds it now goes to “New” commercial and they will only get 12 percent.
Brian saying since the high school isn’t tax capped and would get 100 percent of all new growth if they do their levy correctly.
It sounds like the village proposed that any residential property that received TIF dollars is now considered “new” so the district would get less money. So if a resident went to the village and said “Hey, I want a new roof” and the village gave them money from the TIF to get a new roof it would now be considered part of the new residential.
MY opinion: This is very complicated and a clear indication that the village has realized there isn’t enough revenue to make this TIF worthwhile with all the promises they have made to the various taxing districts. That is why they want to move existing residential to New residential if they get upgrades- the village gets more money. End of MY opinion.
Back to the discussion Matt Crider asking if the TIF attorney is paid out of TIF funds. He will be. Crider pointing out that there couldn’t be a lot of money left for development. #truestory
Les saying that he is uncomfortable with the paragraph saying if they sign the agreement that it means the district supports the TIF. “We can sign it and not agree with it.”
Les saying the redevelopment agreement parts need to be fleshed out more because “They could give someone a mailbox and all of a sudden it’s new residential.”
Just a reminder: 23 years is the life of a TIF. They could cancel it early but that rarely happens. They could make it 12 years longer. Also, legally if nothing happens within seven years they have to undo the TIF. #TIFfacts
Brooks saying that they don’t have to agree to it tonight. He agrees that there are some things they need clarifications from.
Jim Rein saying he would be more comfortable waiting to see if the TIF passes before voting on it. Kathy saying they would also know then what the grade school thinks.
Reiterating that the money from the TIF can only be used for capital improvements for the schools. That means no teachers, no supplies, no programs.
They could use it to abate sales tax money and pay bonds, Brooks said. Mitch pointing out that the financial restrictions on the TIF money the district could receive are absurd.
District Lawyer saying this agreement falls in line with what he sees in other areas.
They are waiting until next month.
Scoreboard discussion. The initial cost was too high. The boarder would be wider, the video part of it would be smaller than first proposed. It would be 12 by 23 foot. It saved 12 grand. A different way of doing the arch was proposed with thinner material. Les saying there is a small window to get this done by fall sports. 11 sponsors are sold right now. Saying they are in good shape.
Discussing a basketball scorers table.
They are going to sell old technology, pe equipment.
Discussing the details of the third quarter financial report.
Discussing student extracurricular activity academic eligibility changes. Minimum from IHSA is they have to pass five classes. Block schedule means students at SJO could technically fail eight classes and be eligible. SJO wants to move to weekly eligibility.
Class of 2026 graduation date: May 17, 2026
Not a lot of major changes to the handbook.
Principal’s Report: Good spot with block schedule and staffing needs. Right now it looks like the district will need two overloads. One in Art and one in Spanish.
Gary saying the 28-29 year will be a very small class. Less than a 100. But other years until then will be 460-470 until then.
End of the year staff luncheon- May 23 at Papa Dels. Still tentative. Meeting adjourned.
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