Now that we have concluded the first half of the 2011-2012 school year, the second quarter newsletter is available for your reading pleasure at www.d88a.org.  For those of you without the Internet, a limited number of hard copies are available in the school offices.

Like most of you this time of year I have begun the task of preparing my tax return.  Every year I am amazed at the amount of money that goes to taxes, property taxes and income taxes (not to mention the taxes on gas, and other items that are needed).  As Superintendent, once the property taxes go out, I am constantly asked questions, because one of the biggest items on your property tax bill is schools.

One of the questions that is asked, how can my property lose value and my taxes not go down, and in some cases go up?  Call it what you will, but it is how the tax laws work.  Will is a tax capped County.  In simple terms a taxing body such as Richland cannot collect more than 105%, or CPI (Consumer Price Index, or inflation) whichever is lower, over the previous year’s taxes.  CPI over the most recent years has not exceeded 4% and in most years is a little over 1%.  Prior to the most recent economic downcast, this has been very good to tax payers, but now it almost works in reverse.  The tax cap relative to schools revenue from property taxes is based on aggregate dollars.  To make it easy to understand, let’s say Richland’s levy was $5 million in 2009, in 2010 we would collect that $5 million plus CPI (I am using CPI because that number has never exceeded 5%).  For the 2010 levy CPI was 1.7% so we get a total of $5,085,000.00.  Specifically, if the value of your property decreased, your rate may be increased to get the aggregate amount based on last year’s taxes, as long as that rate does not exceed the statutory limits.  Richland’s rate is very low, and continues to be well below the statuary limits.  Not necessarily good news for the tax payers.  By the way I am a taxpayer as well. 

I have tried to provide a concise, simplified explanation to a very complex issue to keep everyone informed.  In the event you would like more clarification please feel free to contact me.       

Have a great weekend!  

Dr. Early

There will be a free preschool screening for all three, four, and five year old children (5 year olds who are not in kindergarten at this time). This screening is presented in game like format and checks the child’s speech and language, motor skills, and school readiness skills.  It also includes a vision and hearing screening.  It  will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete.

The screening will be held here on Tuesday, January 31^st  2012.  Please call Miss Canal at 815-725-8391 ext 2105 to make an appointment  prior to       to January 25^th 2012.

The Rockin’ Tale of Snow White

This year we will be performing our third Junior High, musical show called, “The Rockin’ Tale of Snow White” on May 4th, 5^th and 6^th.   This show is a fractured fairy tale version based on the childhood classic, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.”  What is a fractured fairy tale?  It is a fairy tale that is re-written, adding characters or plot changes to make it funny.

Drama Club: Musical Auditions for anyone in grades 5-8 for our spring 2012 musical, “The Rockin’ Tale of Snow White” will take place next week, January 30, 31 Feb. 1 and 2^nd, 2012.

Vocal/Dance auditions will be on Monday and Tuesday, January 30 and 31 in the Media Center from 3:15-4:15 or until everyone is heard.

Drama auditions for anyone who would like a speaking role will be on Wednesday and Thursday, February 1 and 2 from 7-7:45am in the Media Center or until everyone is heard.  If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Patty in the Media Center or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .