TRI-LITE__________________________________________________________________________________________

Volume 23, Issue 4 March 2014

COMMENTS FROM THESUPERINTENDENT

By: Dr. Curt Simonson

Factual Information onthe 1% Sales Tax

Illinois County SchoolFacility Tax

Public Act 97- 0542

Nontraditional Approachfor Illinois Public

Schools

Sales Tax vs. RealEstate Tax for SchoolCapital.

-Allows countyvoters toapprove asales tax tofund schoolfacility costs.-1% maximum

The law went intoeffect in October2007.

The law is based on asimilar law that iscurrently in place inevery county inIowa.

Election Results

Since 2007 eighteencounties have passedthe CSFT.

Sixteen countieshave the question onthe ballot for March.

Low Impact on KeyBusiness and Fixed

Income Persons

Sales Tax Base

Everything in themunicipal or county salestax base is included in thetax base EXCEPT FOR:

Cars, Trucks, ATV’sBoats and RV’sMobile HomesUnprepared foodDrugs (including over-

the-counter and vitamins)Farm equipment and

partsFarm Inputs

“If it is not currentlytaxed, it will not be

taxed.”

Uses of Sales TaxRevenue

Uses of Sales Tax

Security, Entrances,Safety, DisabledAccess

Additions andRenovations

Ongoing Maintenance

ArchitecturalPlanning

Durable Equipment(non-moveableitems)

Fire prevention & LifeSafety

Land Acquisition Energy Efficiency Parking lots Roof repairs HVAC Replacement Abatement

(reduction) ofProperty TaxesLevied to PayBonds Issued forCapital Purposes

Ineligible Uses

Direct InstructionalCosts

Text Books Busses Detached Furniture

and Fixtures Computers Moveable Equipment Operating Costs Salaries and

Overhead

How to Use Sales Taxes

Pay as you go capitalprojects.

-Sales tax canbe saved up overtime

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Issue new bonds forcurrent capitalneeds.

-Supportbonds with sales tax.

Retiring existing debtissued for capitalpurposes.

-Abate taxes-Refundqualifying debt

……..Or anycombination of theabove.

Sources of SalesTax Revenue

Property taxes arepaid just by homeand property ownersin the county.

Sales tax is paid byall shoppers,including visitors,passers-through onthe interstate andcollege students.

Approximately 22%of McLean Countysales tax revenue forthe schools isproduced byshoppers who do notreside in the county.

An additional 15% ofMcLean CSFTrevenue is estimatedto be produced byISU and IllinoisWesleyan students.

Approximately 37%of the McLeanCounty Sales Taxwould be paid bypeople NOT fromMcLean County.

How does it go beforevoters?

School Boards pass aresolution.

When school boardsrepresenting morethan 50% of theresident studentenrollment in thecounty adoptresolutions, theRegionalSuperintendent mustcertify the questionto the County Clerk.

The County Clerkmust then place thequestion on theballot at the nextregularly scheduledelection.

Required Language onthe Ballot

Ballot Language(this cannot bechanged)

“Shall a retailer’soccupation tax and a

service occupation taxbe imposed in McLeanCounty at a rate of 1%to be used exclusively

for school facilitypurposes”.

A simple majority ofvotes cast is neededfor passage.

Distribution of Sales Tax

From Collection To the Illinois

Department ofRevenue (the same

as all local salestaxes) TheDepartment ofRevenue withholds2%.

To the RegionalOffice of Educationwho distributes tothe schools on a perresident-pupil basis.

The money followsthe student.

Projected Revenues

Leroy CUSD #2$607,428

Tri-Valley CUSD #3757,628

Heyworth CUSD # 4$708,298

McLean County CUSD#5 $9,493,546

Lexington CUSD #7$379,182

Olympia CUSD #16$614,791

Ridgeview CUSD #19$460,173

Bloomington SD #87$4,030,176

Blue Ridge CUSD#18 $55,221

GCMS CUSD #5$5,890

Prairie Central CUSD#8 $341,208

EPG CUSD #11$331,324

Eureka CUD #140$736

Potential Usagesby Mclean County

Schools

Security, Entrances,Safety, DisabledAccess

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Additions andRenovations

Ongoing Maintenance Fire prevention & Life

Safety Energy Efficiency Parking lots Roof repairs Abatement

(reduction) ofProperty TaxesLevied to PayBonds Issued forCapital Purposes

Usage by Tri-ValleyCUSD #3

- Enhance Security/Safety(Cameras, Doors, Glass &Lighting)- Property Tax Relief byMaking Payments onExisting Bonds- Roof & BoilerReplacements- Renovations & FacilityImprovement- Parking Lot and RoadwayRepair

Tri-Valley Meeting

There will be aninformational meeting onthe 1% Sales Tax Monday,March 10th at 6:00 at Tri-Valley High School. MarkJontry RegionalSuperintendent of Schoolswill present thisinformation. This will not bea question and answersession. However,individual questions will beanswered after themeeting.

TRI-VALLEY HIGHSCHOOL

By: David Mouser

Tri-Valley High School DualCredit Expansion: This is

EXCITING!!

We have had a busy yetstrange beginning of thesecond semester at thehigh school. With all of theweather relatedcancellations, it has beenhard to get into a steadyroutine. As the semesterbegins to get rolling, wehave some newdevelopments that we arevery excited about. Thefirst involves the newdevelopments in dualcredit, and secondly thehiring of a new high schoolprincipal for 2014-2015.

Dual credit has been on ourradar for a few years at thehigh school. Though manyschools have offered dualcredit (both college andhigh school credit) foryears, we have taken aslow and calculatedapproach. Our goal is toprovide an excellentexperience for ourstudents, while maintainingthe integrity of ourcurriculum. About six yearsago, we began discussingthe idea of a “redefinedsenior year” where studentscould begin a collegetransition while stillmaintaining the high schoolsenior experience. Three ofour teachers that hadmasters degrees and above

in content areas becametrained and certified asHeartland CommunityCollege staff. We began tooffer college freshmen levelcourses in math, science,and history. Currently,these courses equate to 18college hours if a studentwere to complete allofferings. These offeringscoupled with before schoolHeartland classes and ouradvanced placementcourses offer a uniqueexperience for students atTri-Valley High School.

The negative aspect of dualcredit under the currentsystem was that allstudents had to pay fulltuition. Those that couldnot afford the costs simplycould not enroll in thecourses. This created avery difficult situation forthe high school in terms ofequity. However, startingnext year, all HeartlandCommunity College coursesoffered to high schoolstudents will be TUITIONFREE!!!! When I heardthat Heartland had decidedto utilize this model, Ialmost did cartwheels in myoffice. The opportunity forour families to utilize ourmodel could save ourcommunity members andstudents thousands ofdollars and will provideequitable opportunity for allstudents that show theability to qualify for collegelevel courses. We are still asmall school, andscheduling the demand

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may be an issue, but it’s agreat problem to have aswe move forward with thisexciting development. Oneof our Viking Values is“opportunity” and I am soproud to have thisdevelopment present itselfin my final year as highschool principal. Ourdream of re-defining thesenior year, just took ahuge step forward.

The next developmentinvolves the hiring of a newhigh school principal fornext school year. I will bemoving into theSuperintendency at Tri-Valley as Dr. Simonsonretires in June, and amthrilled to welcome Mr. BenDerges as our new highschool principal. Mr. Dergeshas been an assistantprincipal, dean of student,and athletic director atFisher High School for thepast six years. He hasextensive high schoolexperience, and comes tous highly recommended.We look forward to Mr.Derges meeting ourcommunity as the yearcontinues and he attendsvarious school activities.Tri-Valley is a very specialplace. I always laugh whenpeople ask how things aregoing at school, because Iget to say positive things inresponse. I hope you areas proud of our efforts as Iam to share them with you.I look forward to sharingmore developments withyou as the year continues

to move forward. Staywarm and Go VIKINGS!!!

FIRST SEMESTER HONORROLL

SENIOR CLASSSUPERIOR HONOR ROLL

Brandon BakewellElizabeth BollElizabeth BrettnacherSarah HaltJacob RiceNicholas SaulcyKrista YoungLucas HammerBethany MyszkaAshley RingMitchell RadliffRiley NormanCollin ShookLauren IrvinAlexander WielanderJessilynn BeanMegan WilsonAlison BrettnacherLogan Druessel

SENIOR CLASSHONOR ROLL

Monica BuschorBrandon FitzwaterAlexander Jarvis-CreaseyAaron TagalaSamantha CoulonAllison WomblesJeremy ElamAlexis MarcotteAnna RamseyMadison SottosMallory WalkerDillon BroadrickTaylor ChristopherAbagail RobertsKeinn DraperMorgan EstesMadison Harpest

Sydney SmithSydney StalterEmily YoungMeghan FitzgeraldCarly ScottCaleb WilsonTyler WallerMadison WomblesAnthony CollinsColton ToneyCady WilliamsonTyler JamesThomas KretzCourtney RiordanMallory SpencerJoseph DeWerffPatrick Kinsella

JUNIOR CLASSSUPERIOR HONOR ROLL

Ariel FossRobert HinesLucas KauzlarichMatthew MartellKathryn SaulcyAlexandria SymanskiKalynn BoydAlyssa KaufmanDelaney DixonLauren WomblesCelia BuschorCameron EngelhardtAustin SpencerAshley HauptmanSamuel AndersonAndrew HollowayEmmaline HarmsVanessa HollidayMacey Rosensteel

JUNIOR CLASSHONOR ROLL

Stephanie DorrisKaylee LessenAndrew OmmenElizabeth CoopAshlyn Hayes

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Mackenzie ShafferCaleb PrittsKyle NormanTaylor TedrickMackenzie CooperEmily SolvieDerek WegmanAlison LeipoldNicole NelsonMadison ShafferMichaela DennisMadalyn MerrittTaylor WilliamsJared ZachowNicole HrabikMaddisen KnechtDrake ShepardTyler CreameanMegan O’NeallDiontae WhiteBrooke LucasJessica Alvarado DiazBrandon JamesHannah EytalisGrant GuimondSteven KretzRashell LucasQuincy RoberdsKyle Stinemates

SOPHOMORE CLASSSUPERIOR HONOR ROLL

Bryce BroadrickNathan EngelhardtJessica JensenJonathan KotheJacob MastersHayley WilliamsonJeremy WallaceRaegan SpencerElizabeth DewCameron HillaryJudith HeinerKyle JonesJamie SuiterJordan KruegerSonny PodlesnikAlly Wiegand

Megan DolanFoster LaakeJessica Simpson.

SOPHOMORE CLASSHONOR ROLL

Keeley WhiteBenjamin BaysBenjamin ElamDanielle ZenorPhilip WesterfieldSam ReddTaylor ThrowMelanie MyszkaNathan McKeonAdam CoulonJonathan IrvinKirstin OttoPeyton RoopBrandon KessingerIan RoberdsMatthew SorensenBrock DankoTristen HallKale FitzgeraldJacob Tolonen

FRESHMAN CLASSSUPERIOR HONOR ROLL

Sydney BedillionAbigail JohnsonMadison MaciejewskiVictoria MataLauren O’DonnellDelaney O’RourkeJenna RingRyan SchmidtHayden WalkerMark WillTravis ZookColt BakerWeston LaakeJacob SteinerNatalie TagalaCassandra WilsonJordan SymanskiAshley Carr

Jacob FoleyDelaney KnechtSeth NeviusJosh RobertsKari BruckerJacob WardJacob GuimondEmily HopfJared LauritsonBrittany RobertsJoel ReinersLindsey RingLena WinnMickaelAshworthAaron KussmannChristian KovichEmma McKeonAlexis Myszka

FRESHMAN CLASSHONOR ROLL

Rachel SlingsbyRichard Dubrava IIISkip RiddleAlexis WestDresden DixonJenna HahnEli MaurerEvan ShookSadie SottosKainani KastorShane JohnsonDarien MorganSamuel WatsonShelby SharickCorey WilliamsonEmily BollKelsey Vaughn

The TRI-LITE is publishedfive times per year(September, November,January, March and June)by Tri-Valley C.U.S.D. No.3, 410 E. Washington St.,Downs, IL 61736

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TRI-VALLEY MIDDLESCHOOL

By: Doug Roberts

TVMS MATHCOUNTSWINNERS

Several 8th grade studentstook part in a localMathCounts competition atLexington on January 24th.Lexington and Heyworthalso sent students tocompete. The VikingMathletes had a terrific day,taking home eight of thetop ten scoring individualsand winning the teamtrophy. Gabe Foss andMason Spencer tied for tophonors on the day. GabeFoss was also thecountdown round winnerwhich is a single eliminationround that pairs the top tenfinishers two at a timeagainst each other. Alsofinishing in the top ten forTri-Valley was KeeganKraft, Cody Steiner, JeffreyMartell, Sarah Vock, LucasHari, and Dane Sorensen.

ISAT testing

TVMS students begantaking ISAT tests onMonday, March 3rd.Students will test the entireweek. Please have yourchild in attendance and wellrested for each day oftesting. This year’s testassessment is 100%aligned to the common corestandards. Our staff andstudents have beenworking hard in preparation

and we hope to put forth agreat effort on the tests!

Sports updates

The 7th grade volleyballteam won the tri-countyconference regular season.The 8th grade volleyballfinished second in theregular season. Thewrestling coop team withLeroy won their first EVERregional. Congrats toDalton Jensen, CameronElam, Harley Justus, CarsonSchaefer, and HunterGawlik. The ScholasticBowl team is off andrunning. It is great to seeour students working hard!

Polar Plunge

Several TVMS students,staff and family memberstook part in the polarplunge at Miller Lake onFeb. 22nd. The team, “Tri-Valley Middle School BlueRibbon Belly Floppers” hadone of the largestcontingents in CentralIllinois. We managed toraise $5,300. The PolarPlunge fundraiser eventsupports the SpecialOlympics of Illinois. This isa terrific organizationwhose headquarters are inour backyard.

TRI-VALLEYELEMENTARY SCHOOL

By: Sara Burnett

Unbelievably, the schoolyear is already half wayover! Second semester is

the time in which we seethe most growth from thestudents. Review of theprevious year has takenplace and students arebeing introduced to newconcepts on a regular basis.Students are puttingtogether several skills andare focusing on application.Even though performanceon standardized tests isimportant, we don’t wantstudents to just be able toperform in a rote manner.We want them to makeconnections, and to applylearning to everyday life.

One celebration has cometo our attention from theIllinois State Board ofEducation and GovernorQuinn. Tri-ValleyElementary School hasearned the AcademicExcellence Award for2013! This is adistinguished award. Tri-Valley Elementary is one of36 elementary schools inIllinois that has earnedAcademic Excellence everyyear for the past 8 years!.We are very proud of thehard work of our students,teachers, and parents! Thisaward was earned due to90% of our childrenmeeting or exceeding testscores over the pastseveral years. It takeseveryone doing their part tosucceed students, teachers,administration, andparents. This is an awardthat should be celebratedby everyone!

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We are also already lookingforward to next year!Appointments are nowbeing taken for ourKindergarten and Preschoolscreenings to takeplace March 10-13. All Tri-Valley children turning 5before September 1,2014 that will be enteringkindergarten next Fall willneed to be signed up for akindergarten screening. AllTri-Valley children who turn3 on or before the dates ofthe screenings areencouraged to participate inour preschoolscreenings. (Childrenalready enrolled in the ECEor Pre-K classrooms DONOT need to berescreened.) To schedulean appointment for yourchild to be screened, pleasecall the Tri-ValleyElementary office at 378-2031.

FINE ARTS (FAB)

Learning Is Cool!

The Tri-Valley MiddleSchool Theatre ArtsDepartment presentedRumpelstiltskin is MyName by R. EugeneJackson on February 7 & 8

at 7:00 p.m. in the highschool commons.

Rumpelstiltskin is MyName is the re-telling ofthe fantasy classic. Whenthe boastful miller (LucasKnecht) claims that hisdaughter Missy (LexiCaruso) can spin straw in togold, she is quickly put tothe test by King Walter(Jake Bair) and his evilCaptain (Dane Sorensen).The appearance of amysterious man (MatthewKovich) with an offer tohelp comes at a high price,and it’s up to Missy’s sisterSissy (Maggie Dew), Mother(Libbie Kussmann) andGeorge, one of the King’sservants (Jeffrey Martell) tosave the day! The cleverand fast-paced productionadditionally featured LibbyBroy, Hanna Christianson,Katelyn Davis, Cam Elam,Katie Freimann, KirstenFreimann, Alyssa Ginzburg,Madison Haerr, Lucas Hari,Kate Harms, Mabel Heiner,Megan Hopf, Martin Kretz,Mason Lishka, MadisonManint, Cameron Martin,Jillian Misch, Sidney Mullen,Sydni Ritsema, WhitneySharick, Evan Smith,Shauna Streitmatter, AlexisSwearingen, Sarah Vock,Victoria Whitlock andAndrew Williams. Middleschool stage crew memberswere Matthew Manint,Logan Musick and SimeonProbst. The production wasdirected by Bob Mitchell,with assistance from BonnieMitchell and Steve Stark.

High school studentdirectors included EllieDew, Jared Lauritson, MattMartell, Lindsay Ring, IanRoberds and ChristianWest, with Joe Bairassisting with specialeffects make up.

Faculty & Alumni Play:And Then There Was

One

The annual High SchoolFaculty & Alumni Play willtake the stage on March 14& 15 in the high schoolcommons at 7:30 p.m.each night. Tickets will beavailable at the door 30minutes prior to eachperformance.Agatha Christie never wrotea mystery like this! In ActOne, the usual suspectshave gathered for aweekend on a remoteisland: the butler and maid(Steve Stark, Lee Harper),the spinster (GenaCalhoun), the melodramaticactress (Pam Stone), theinept detective (JeffBenter), the love-struckyoung couple (BrookeArvik, Steve Dew), themysterious doctor (BryanCorn) and a washed-uprock star (Josh Rund).When a mysterious body(Heidi Myszka) and an evenmore mysterious recordingshow up, the story getsrolling with murder,mayhem and more! ActTwo features more of thesame as the motleyassortment of characters is

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reunited for an even morenefarious purpose.

High School Spring Play

The High School SpringPlay, A Night of One Acts:Fractured Fairy Tales, isscheduled for April 11 & 12at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will beavailable for purchase atthe door beginning 30minutes prior to eachperformance.

In the first short play,Chaos in Fairy Tale Forest,a mixed up assortment offavorite fairy talecharacters find each otherwandering through thesame woods. From RedRiding Hood to Snow White,the Tin Man and evenBambi, the characters areall in search of answers andare determined to findthem at any cost. It’s aWonderful Neverland payshomage to the Christmasfavorite, with Peter Panseeing what Neverlandwould look like if he’d neverbeen born…with the help, ofcourse, of Stinkerbell. Theevening concludes withLittle Red Robin Hood, abedtime story that mashesus more characters andtales than one couldimagine. Is the Pied Piperreally a rockstar namedMarian? Is Prince Johndumb enough to fall for thewicked stepsisters’ claim tohave made magical clothesthat only wise people cansee? And will Little Redrescue the poor villagers

from the Big Bad Sheriffand his Naughty Hams?

The large and talented castand crew includes LindseyAbeling, Joe Bair, SydneyBedillion, AlisonBrettnacher, ElizabethBrettnacher, Celia Buschor,Monica Buschor, TonyCollins, Leah Cooper, SamCoulon, Michaela Dennis,Ellie Dew, John DeWerff,Joseph DeWerff, StephanieDorris, Mike Edwards,Jeremy Elam, CameronEngelhardt, NathanEngelhardt, MeghanFitzgerald, Lucas Hammer,Emma Harms, AshleyHauptman, Ashlyn Hayes,Emily Hopf, BrandonJames, Abigail Johnson,Lucas Kauzlarich, StevenKretz, Thomas Kretz, WesLanghoff, Ali Leipold, JaredLauritson, Jacob Leach, LexiMarcotte, Matt Martell,Janelle Martin, Tyler Moore,Shelby Moss, MitchelMusick, Alexis Myszka,Melanie Myszka, KaleyNettleton, Kyle Norman,Riley Norman, MeganO’Neall, Anna Ramsey,Lindsay Ring, Ian Roberds,Peyton Roop, KenzieShaffer, Shelby Sharick,Alex Symanski, JordanSymanski, Aaron Tagala,Alexa Timmermann,Hayden Walker, MalloryWalker, Jeremy Wallace,Christian West, DiontaeWhite, Keeley White, AlexWielander, Anna Wielander,Taylor Williams, CadyWilliamson, Megan Wilson,Madison Wombles and

Travis Zook. The productionis directed by Bob Mitchell,with technical direction bySteve Stark and costumecoordination by BonnieMitchell.

HIGH SCHOOL SPRINGINFORMATION

By: Kristen Myers

Civil War DazeFriday, May 9, 2014

Tri-Valley FFAGreenhouse Sale

8:00 AM-3:00 PMSaturday, May 3rd

12:00 PM-3:00 PMSunday, May 4th

8:30 AM-2:30 PMFriday, May 9th

(During Tri-Valley Civil War Daze)

PROM

“Glitz,Glamour,Gatsby”

Date: April 26, 2014Times: 8-11pm

Location: Miller ParkPavilion-Bloomington

Picture Location: MillerPark Pavilion beginning at

8pmCoronation: 10pm (Parentsof the Court are invited to

attend)

AFTER PROM

Location: Tri-Valley HighSchool

Times: 11pm-3amActivities: Hypnotist,Karaoke, DJ/Pictures,

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Inflatable Obstacle Course,Bouncy Boxing, Airbrush

Tattoos, SnackRoom/Coffee Bar, Tons of

Prizes!!!

For more information, seeattached flyers.

Spring Break Trip toEurope 2015

The Spring Break Trip toEurope next year willinclude the 3 mainEuropean capitals, London,Parisand Rome. The dates areMarch 19-27. The tripincludes airfare and landtransportation, hotels,breakfast and dinner daily,all entrances fees onthe itinerary, tour guidesand a Tour Manager.Three of the world’s mostfamous museums areincluded; The BritishMuseum, The Louvre andtheVatican Museum andSistine Chapel as well as allthe famous sites of eachcity.Price is based on a slidingscale and increasesbi-monthly. The deadlinefor the cheapest price isApril 1,2014. Registrationto obtain a spot on thetrip is $495. I will continueto offer the trip until allspots are taken, maximumpassengers is 35. Formore information or toobtain an

itinerary/registrationmaterials contact MarkMcBride at mmcbride@tri-valley3.orgThe trip is open to adultsand HS students alike,you do not have to be fromour school district.

QUESTIONS &CONCERNS

Feel free to contact one ofthe Tri-Valley School

District administrators

Dr. Curt Simonson,Superintendent, 378-2351

Mr. Dave Mouser, HighSchool Principal, 378-2911

Mr. Doug Roberts,Middle School Principal,378-3414

Mrs. Sara Burnett,Elementary SchoolPrincipal, 378-2031

CIVIL WAR DAZE2014

Tri-Valley Schools – Downs, IL ( 7 miles east of Bloomington off of I-74) I

Civil War Daze Friday, May 9th

Rain or Shine ( 9 AM – 2:30 PM ) ( during the school day )Schedule

7:30-9:00 AM Set-up for Union Camp, Confederate Camp, and various LearningStations on the Trail of History.

7:30 – 8:15 AM Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast served by the FFA at Dooley Park Pavilion.Free meal for Living Historians/Reenactors.

8:30 AM – 2:30 PM Greenhouse Sale by the Tri-Valley FFA (Location SW Corner of H.S.)

9:00-Noon Trail of History Learning Stations (Move Along at a Steady Pace)(All Stations Located South and West of Grade School/Go to as many as youcan.)"Old-Time Music Jam Group" - BluegrassCivil War Food - Union Camp

Victorian (1860’s) Womens’ Tea

Surgeon’s TentDrilling Troops / Cannon Crew TrainingConfederate Camp / 24th North Carolina

Chestnut Light Artillery

Confederate President Jefferson Davis

Confederate General Robert E. Lee

Union Generals U. S. Grant & George Custer1860’s Farming & Petting ZooRope Making & Blacksmith

Civil War Photography –Sepia tone Photos

School of the Cavalrymen – 10th IL Cavalry Unit / Tennessee CavalryUnit

President Abraham Lincoln & Mary Todd Lincoln / BerdansSharpshooters

Civil War Cricket – Tom Melville / Civil War Storyteller – Mike Lockett

Lunch Gondola sandwich lunch (meal includes gondolasandwich, cookie, chips and drink) for $6.00 and will beserved in the shaded confines of Dooley Park.

11:00-11:45 (4th, 5th and 6th grades)11:45-12:15 (7th, and 8th grades)

12:15-12:45 Reenactors (free)(Go to the pavilion in Dooley Park for sack lunch!!!)

Please CleanUp Garbage!

At 12:10 begin the walk over to the Middle School Gym and be seated.

12:15-1:15 PM Go to Middle School Gym - Civil War Storyteller – Robert E. Lee -Ulysses S. Grant - Doctor’s Lecture - Ladies’ Style Show.Speeches will be given & stories will be told.

1:20 PM Walk west of the high school to the battlefield.

1:30-2:30 PM Civil War Battle ReenactmentFeaturing Confederate and Union troops.Spectators stay outside the battle area andmaintain a respectful distance from the re-enactors. Cannons, rifles, etc. will be fired.

Cavalry will be represented and part of the battle.(West of the high school and south of the grade school)-- (Over 50Reenactors)

2:30-3:00 PM Clean-up and Tear-downTeachers, students, and spectators please contain your garbage.

Many people have worked together to create this wonderful learningexperience for our children and we would like to extend our appreciation.

Without your support and hard work this would not be possible.

Planners Mark McBride (H.S.), Robin Roberts (M.S.), Curt Simonson(Superintendent), Dave Mouser (H.S. Principal), Doug Roberts (M.S.Principal), Brian Knutson (A.D.), Ginny Elhoff (M.S.), Tom Boward (formerprincipal), Krissy Vaux (H.S.), Frank Arnolts (M.S.), & George Van Winkle(H.S.).

Volunteers Reenactors include: Paul Wood (Gen. Robert E. Lee), Larry Werline (Gen.U.S. Grant), Tom Peacock (Gen. Custer), Gary & Carol Simpkins(Abraham Lincoln & Mary Todd Lincoln), Jim Cruser (band), RonKirchgessner (Union), Joe Ramholz (rope maker), Matt Wood(confederate), Mike Acuff (confederates), Dennis Cappitelli (union NCO &surgeon), Bob Starr (Union), Bob Thurmond (Frederick Douglass), Neale& Anne Lehmkuhl (Mr. & Mrs. Jefferson Davis), Steve & Sharon Bean(CW food), Mark & Lori Bean (CW Food), Julie Hahn (CW Food), JoshRund (farming implements / petting zoo), Jon Nelson (union), KevinEckel (union artillery), Dave Roop (union), Chuck Milburn-Ted Henry-Dawn Henry, Greg Kane, and Jo Grayson (10th Cavalry), Gerald Wegman(union), Matt Heid (union), Gary Fogarty (Union), John Housour(Blacksmith), Matt Deverman (Union), Matt Wehrle (Union), Greg Down(Union), Jared Carlson (Sharpshooters), Rich Norris (cavalry), and LeoWorth (union). Lunch planners: Kathy Johnson and Lisa Eckel. Others!

Donations Tri-Valley Education Foundation, Tri-Valley PTO, Tri-Valley MiddleSchool Yearbook, Tri-Valley Boosters Club, McLean County DiversityProject, Worth Cutting (Leo Worth), Tri-Valley Tree Farm (Jim Suiter),R.P. Lumber Co., and Advantage Plumbing (Jackson Ring). Others.

For more information contact:

Mark McBride (309) 378-2911 mmcbride@tri-valley3.org orRobin Roberts (309) 378-3414 rroberts@tri-valley3.org.

TRI-VALLEY PROM UPDATE-2014

PROM- “Glitz,Glamour,Gatsby”Date: April 26, 2014Times: 8-11pmLocation: Miller Park Pavilion-BloomingtonPicture Location: Miller Park Pavilion beginning at 8pmCoronation: 10pm (Parents of the Court are invited to attend)

AFTER PROMLocation: Tri-Valley High SchoolTimes: 11pm-3amActivities: Hypnotist, Karaoke, DJ/Pictures, Inflatable ObstacleCourse, Bouncy Boxing, Airbrush Tattoos, Snack Room/CoffeeBar, Tons of Prizes!!!

Factual Information on the 1% Sales Tax

Illinois County School Facility TaxPublic Act 97- 0542Nontraditional Approach for Illinois Public Schools

Sales Tax vs. Real Estate Tax for School Capital.-Allows county voters to approve a sales tax to fund school facility costs.-1% maximum The law went into effect in October 2007. The law is based on a similar law that is currently in place in every county in Iowa.

Election Results Since 2007 eighteen counties have passed the CSFT. Sixteen counties have the question on the ballot for March.

Low Impact on Key Business and Fixed Income Persons Sales Tax BaseEverything in the municipal or county sales tax base is included in the tax base EXCEPT FOR:Cars, Trucks, ATV’sBoats and RV’sMobile HomesUnprepared foodDrugs (including over-the-counter and vitamins)Farm equipment and partsFarm Inputs

“If it is not currently taxed, it will not be taxed.”

Uses of Sales Tax RevenueUses of Sales Tax

Security, Entrances, Safety, Disabled Access Additions and Renovations Ongoing Maintenance Architectural Planning Durable Equipment (non-moveable items) Fire prevention & Life Safety Land Acquisition Energy Efficiency Parking lots Roof repairs HVAC Replacement Abatement (reduction) of Property Taxes Levied to Pay Bonds Issued for Capital

Purposes

Ineligible Uses Direct Instructional Costs Text Books Busses Detached Furniture and Fixtures Computers Moveable Equipment Operating Costs Salaries and Overhead

How to Use Sales Taxes Pay as you go capital projects.-Sales tax can be saved up over time Issue new bonds for current capital needs.-Support bonds with sales tax. Retiring existing debt issued for capital purposes.-Abate taxes-Refund qualifying debt ……..Or any combination of the above.

Sources of Sales Tax Revenue Property taxes are paid just by home and property owners in the county. Sales tax is paid by all shoppers, including visitors, passers-through on the interstate andcollege students. Approximately 22% of McLean County sales tax revenue for the schools is produced byshoppers who do not reside in the county. An additional 15% of McLean CSFT revenue is estimated to be produced by ISU and IllinoisWesleyan students. Approximately 37% of the McLean County Sales Tax would be paid by people NOT fromMcLean County.

How does it go before voters? School Boards pass a resolution. When school boards representing more than 50% of the resident student enrollment in thecounty adopt resolutions, the Regional Superintendent must certify the question to theCounty Clerk. The County Clerk must then place the question on the ballot at the next regularly scheduledelection.

Required Language on the Ballot Ballot Language (this cannot be changed)

“Shall a retailer’s occupation tax and a service occupation tax be imposed in McLean County ata rate of 1% to be used exclusively for school facility purposes”. A simple majority of votes cast is needed for passage.

Distribution of Sales Tax From Collection To the Illinois Department of Revenue (the same as all local sales taxes) The Department ofRevenue withholds 2%. To the Regional Office of Education who distributes to the schools on a per resident-pupilbasis. The money follows the student.

Projected Revenues

Leroy CUSD # 2 $607,428 Tri-Valley CUSD # 3 $757,628 Heyworth CUSD # 4 $708,298 McLean County USD # 5 $9,493,546 Lexington CUSD # 7 $379,182 Olympia CUSD # 16 $614,791 Ridgeview CUSD # 19 $460,173 Bloomington SD # 87 $4,030,176 Blue Ridge CUSD # 18 $55,221 GCMS CUSD # 5 $5,890 Prairie Central CUSD # 8 $341,208 EPG CUSD # 11 $331,324 Eureka CUD # 140 $736

Potential Usages by Mclean County Schools

Security, Entrances, Safety, Disabled Access Additions and Renovations Ongoing Maintenance Fire prevention & Life Safety Energy Efficiency Parking lots Roof repairs Abatement (reduction) of Property Taxes Levied to Pay Bonds Issued for Capital

Purposes

Usage by Tri-Valley CUSD # 3- Enhance Security/Safety (Cameras, Doors, Glass & Lighting)- Property Tax Relief by Making Payments on Existing Bonds- Roof & Boiler Replacements- Renovations & Facility Improvement- Parking Lot and Roadway Repair

Tri-Valley MeetingThere will be an informational meeting on the 1% Sales Tax Monday, March 10th at 6:00 at Tri-Valley High School. Mark Jontry Regional Superintendent of Schools will present this information.This will not be a question and answer session. However, individual questions will be answeredafter the meeting.

YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM A VARIETY OF ANNUALS, PERENNIALS, FOLIAGE PLANTS, VEGETABLESAND HANGING BASKETS!

8:00 AM-3:00 PMSaturday, May 3rd

12:00 PM-3:00 PMSunday, May 4th

8:30 AM-2:30 PMFriday, May 9th

(During Tri-Valley Civil War Daze)

Wave Petunia Zinnia DaylilyVinca Celosia HostaImpatiens Salvia DelphiniumGazania Potato Vine GaillardiaBegonia Dusty Miller HerbsMarigold Purple Coneflower IvyPansy Black-eyed Susan TomatoesGeranium Shasta Daisy Peppers

AND MUCH MORE!!!

The greenhouse is located on the southside of Tri-Valley High School. All

proceeds from the greenhouse sale willgo to the Tri-Valley FFA Organization.