Pekin board weighs county school facilities sales tax; Stifel projects nearly $2M annually for District 303

The Pekin Community High School Board of Education debated whether to support putting a County School Facilities Sales Tax (CSFT) before Tazewell County voters after a Stifel Financial presentation on potential revenue and ballot requirements.

Superintendent Dr. Danielle Owens summarized the county-level discussions and said the sales tax income could help districts facing declining federal funds and other revenue losses. The Stifel slides included an illustrative projection that Pekin CSD 303 could receive $1,970,322 annually under a 1% CSFT, and the presentation noted the tax "follows the student" and is distributed per resident pupil by the regional superintendent's office. Owens said, "Based on Tazewell County projections provided in the presentation, Pekin High School alone is projected to receive $1.9 million a year."

Board members raised practical and political considerations: whether business owners or taxpayers would accept the additional county sales tax, how funds might be used (facility projects, SROs, mental health professionals if proper ballot language is included), and the need for coordinated communication and legal review. The Stifel material explained that a simple majority of votes countywide is required to pass and that districts representing more than 50% of resident enrollment must approve consistent ballot language for the Regional Superintendent to certify the question.

No formal board resolution to place the tax on the ballot was adopted at the meeting, but five board members told staff they would like the board to vote in February on whether to support certification or take steps toward placement on the November ballot. Superintendent Owens said she will bring further documentation and recommended language for board consideration at the next meeting.