District 224 EAV to increase 11.2%
By CAROL TOWNSEND
For The Prairie News
GALVA – The closure of one of Galva’s tax increment finance districts will result in an influx of money for the school district.
The board on Monday approved a tentative Fiscal Year 2025 tax levy that shows an 11.2% increase and will trigger a Truth in Taxation hearing on Dec. 15 at 6:55 p.m.
Superintendent Joe Becker said all of that increase is due to an increase in equalized assessed value of property in the school district. Most notable is an influx of $8 million in EAV due to the closure of TIF2, Galva’s commercial TIF district.
“It’s nice to have that back on the books,” Becker said.
The additional EAV allowed Becker to reduce the tax rate from 4.53 last year to 4.48 for 2025 taxes.
Becker said he has steadily reduced the tax rate during his tenure as superintendent by nearly 20 cents – a move possible due to continued increases in EAV.
In other action, the board accepted the resignation of Music Teacher Whitney Fahrner, effective Jan. 1, and approved Lexi Morse as a junior high cheer volunteer coach for 2025-26.
Three Galva seniors were named Illinois State Scholars: McKenna Anderson, Allison Nordstrom and Kailynn Townsend. Honored for their outstanding values at the meeting were Parker Swanson, Elise Nance, Ellory McDonald, Ryanne Hutchison and Cyrus Hurd.
During public comment, Darcy Swanson addressed the board about what she views as ongoing problems with the coaching of Galva’s volleyball team.
A former basketball coach at Galva and mother of a volleyball player, Swanson said, “I have been asked to be here tonight as a voice for those who feel like they cannot raise theirs. This is for two reasons. 1. Fear of retaliation. 2. Fear that no one cares enough to listen.”
Galva finished 6-22 this season under Coach Krystal West. Swanson said West’s treatment of players on the team “is affecting the psychological safety of our athletes.”
Swanson said she had a meeting with Galva Athletic Director Marland Rachel and with Principal Kurtis Smyth about the volleyball team. She said she appreciated the meeting.
Swanson’s daughter, who was on the volleyball team, also spoke.
