The Triad School District is looking to keep its income tax levy this November.
Superintendent Chris Piper presented to the Triad Board of Education Thursday a resolution requesting the renewal of the district’s current 0.5 percent annual income tax levy.
In an interview, Piper said the current tax rate has been in place since 2005. It raises roughly $596,000 per year to go into the district’s general operating fund.
Piper said according to the district’s current five-year forecast, there is no need to ask for any new money this coming election day.
“If we can just renew that current tax, we should be in good shape,” Piper said.
Piper said the roofing projects at the middle and elementary schools are progressing well, though there have been a few hiccups. There have been leaks in both buildings, but Piper said the company overseeing the project, Garland/DBS, Inc., has worked through those problems.
He praised Garland for providing updates throughout the project.
“They do a good job of keeping us updated,” he said. “They send a report every week that includes pictures of the work they’re doing.”
The rest of the work will take “most of the summer,” with the target end date being Aug. 1.
Triad is also preparing for some concrete work at the entrance of the high school. Piper said there are some “grassy” areas in front of the school that flood. When that happens, according to Piper, water “comes into the building.”
“We’re going to put concrete there instead and drain that away,” Piper said. “I think that’ll be a big deal, because right now that’s a muddy mess that never looks good.”
In other board news:
-After several months of waiting, the Champaign County auditor completed the Triad School District’s yearly audit. Triad Treasurer Connie Cohn also said the district is putting together its budget for next year. She said it’s a “very busy time.”
-The district is also in the midst of some painting. Piper said officials are planning to paint within the main entrance of the high school, elementary school hallways and parts of the central district office. That work is slated for early next month.
-Piper said as it stands, there are no teachers who need to be replaced this summer, though he noted this could change over the summer break.