District 109 Board Raises Tax Levy

An increase of 1.9 percent to the portion of the 2011 property tax levy was unanimously approved by the School Board after a public hearing Monday. 

The hike will mean an increased property tax payment for Deerfield home owners of less than 1 percent according Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Greg Himebaugh. “They will pay .98 percent more,” he said referring to the taxpayers. 

Before the regular business of the meeting, opened a public hearing to give people a chance to speak on the subject of the levy. London explained the hearing was not required but the Board felt transparency on the issue was important. 

Though there were no objections from the public, there were questions that the Board answered. “Why are the taxes going up,” Danielle Maldonado asked. “What is it going to cover?” 

London and explained the District was required to pass the measure to have any tax money. “We have to pass the levy to have the right to collect any taxes at all,” Goier said. 

The levy is going up by the amount of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and new construction according to Board Member Michael Rosenbaum. That is the legal limit for the raise. 

“CPI is 1.5 percent,” Rosenbaum said. “The increase is limited to CPI and new construction. That is why it is 1.9 percent.”

Most of the meeting was devoted to expressing support for the Deerfield Education Association teachers union which is currently working under an expired contract. A federal mediator is helping the parties deal with the issues.

Before the public comment two teachers, were recognized as heroes in the classroom after being feted last month by members of the Chicago Bears organization.