Quincy School Board approves tentative tax levy

QUINCY — The Quincy School Board approved its tentative 2022 $42.873 tax levy Tuesday.

The Board will have a public hearing on the levy at its December 14 board meeting and will consider at tax rate of $3.93, down from the previous year’s rate of $3.99.

Adams County estimates the taxes for 2022-23 will have an equalized assessed valuation (EAV) around 5 percent and the Quincy School District is estimating about a 7.5 percent increase, which necessitates the public hearing as the levy may exceed 105 percent.

Property taxes make up nearly 50 percent of the school district’s revenues, with the remainder being comprised of state and federal funding.

The board also heard a report regarding QPS suspension and expulsion rates, which are monitored by the state. Since QPS had been in the top 20 percent in those categories for three straight years, the district was required to submit improvement plans and progress reports to the state.

Superintendent Todd Pettit said QPS suspension rates stood at 17 percent during the 2019-20 school year, 6 percent the next year and 15 percent last year.

Unlike most school district’s throughout the state QPS remained open during the 2020-21 pandemic year, QPS remained open with A/B schedules and remote learning options.

Pettit said he expects the district’s suspension rate to continue to decline as continued implementation of its improvement plan, which focuses on academics, engagement and discipline.