District 95 sets levy

December 20, 2007

Before the holidays, Lake Zurich's School Board took care of a number of issues

Lake Zurich School Board went through the motions of adopting the 2007 Tax Levy as presented in the total amount of a little over $65 million, a five percent tax levy increase over last year. The District believes it will receive is a little under $64 million.

Also at the meeting, the board was informed that the Lake Zurich High School Student Council chose a charity to support this year. It chose One Step at a Time, a charity supporting cancer victims and survivors.

They chose it to honor Adam Petraglia, a senior at Lake Zurich, and leukemia survivor.

Lake Zurich High School students and the Lake Zurich community will raise donations through the year at events including a dodgeball tournament and coral concerts at the high school. On Dec. 12 May Whitney Elementary School staff members played Spencer Loomis Elementary School staff members in a basketball game and raised $3,000 for the charity.

The School Board also recognized Lake Zurich Culver's owner Steve Anichini for being a strong supporter. Anichini and Culver's provided food for the high school football team, cheerleaders, band etc. Upon receiving his award, Anichini said he is "blessed to be a part of this community. I am just so blessed."

Also, Lori Smith, vice president of the District 95 Educational Foundation Board of Trustees and vice chair for Projects, updated the board with news of teachers' grants. A total of $50,000 have been raised since the foundation's beginning. According to Smith this year "the District 95 Educational Foundation has awarded approximately 14,000 in Teacher Innovation Grants."

The foundation provides money to teachers who are in need of resources and present ideas about new projects or equipment. Teacher innovation grants for spring '07 were $6,500. Projects are approved by the foundation.

The School Board has also given a six-month extension of the contract with the Foundation Consulting Services, which helped establish a District 95 Foundation, to continue consulting until June 30, 2008. According to Roger Tieman, board member, "at some point they have to try and succeed on their own and be self-sufficient." Mike Finn, board member, replied that "the hardest thing is to get started." The entire board was in agreement on providing the extension.

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