September Parent Updates
September 22, 2023
Spring Referendum - March, 2024
As many of you know, the pool is in need of some major repairs. It is currently operational and being used by the OHS Swim Team, Olympia Country Swimmers, and our OHMS PE classes. At the August, 2023 Board of Education meeting, the Board determined that additional revenue is needed to repair the pool and to keep up with annual maintenance costs. In addition to the pool, there are much needed repairs in various places around the District. An increase in the Operations and Maintenance tax rate would support the pool and other items that are in need or repair / updates. We are soliciting input from staff, parents, and community members on their list of needs / desires for the District around facility issues. The parent / community meeting to provide facility input is on Wednesday, October 18th at OHS - 6:00 p.m. A survey will also be sent to all current parents requesting input as well. The Board of Education will take all input and prioritize future projects - some of which will be dependent on the passing of a tax increase.
The Education Fund (75% of this fund pays staff salaries) has been running a deficit for many years. The deficit is the result of changes in State Funding, the rising cost of living, salary minimums imposed by State Law, etc. In March, 2024 the District will also be asking for an increase in the Education Fund rate. However, the District has bond payments rolling off at the same time the increase would go into effect. Therefore, the Education rate would increase but there would be no net impact on your tax bill - it would be a tax swap. Our revenue in this fund simply cannot keep up with our needs - specifically staffing needs / salaries. We are not competitive with local districts at this time.
There will be much more referendum information shared in the future - we are in the early stages of planning. You can expect the District to share information via social media, parent updates, in person meetings, etc.
District News
Olympia's Nonprofit - Spartan Promise Council - Supports Students
The Spartan Promise Council is a non-profit affiliated with the National Promise Council organization and State Farm Insurance. The Spartan Promise Council was established in 2020 and supports families in times of crisis, but also works daily to eliminate any barrier to academic achievement that a student may experience. We have helped families after fires, assisted with rent / deposits, paid for many eye exams and eye glasses, purchased clothing and school supplies for students, and we have supplied gas cards to students who need to drive to work or to access educational opportunities off campus.
The Spartan Promise Council board has also worked to organize mobile food banks in some of our communities. The Eastern Illinois Food Bank visits the following communities to support our families:
Danvers (10:00-10:30), Stanford (11:00 - 11:30) and McLean (12:00 - 12:30) the 4th Wednesday of each month.
Waynesville (11:00 - 11:30) the 3rd Saturday of each month.
*Social media posts are shared in advance with a reminder of times and location.
Additionally, we offer Friday Markets to OHMS students (2nd and 4th Friday of the month) where students can pick up food items and school supplies before getting on the bus to go home. These are located at OHMS. Michelle Maris, Olympia Family Coordinator, and Megan Whitecotton, Olympia parent and community volunteer, have been the drivers of this amazing initiative.
Michelle Maris can be reached at michelle.maris@olympia.org For more information on the Spartan Promise Council, visit https://www.olympia.org/page/spartan-council
Homecoming Week - September 26 - September 29th
Olympia High School's Homecoming week is next week. Please see below for the Spirit Days for OHS students.
- Tuesday, Sept. 26 - Barbie & Ken Day
- Wednesday, Sept. 27 - Soccer mom vs. BBQ Dad Day
- Thursday, Sept. 28th - Class Theme Day (Seniors - Western, Juniors - Romance, Sophomores - Cartoon, Freshman - Mystery)
- Friday, Sept. 29th - Spartan Gear Day
The Elementary Spirit Days are as follows:
- Tuesday, Sept. 26 - Barbie & Ken Day
- Wednesday, Sept. 27 - PJ Day
- Thursday, Sept. 28th - Favorite Movie Character Day
- Friday, Sept. 29th - Spartan Gear Day
While there are high school events occurring all week for high school students, we are also having a Homecoming Parade on Wednesday, September 27th @ 6:15 p.m. in Hopedale for everyone in the community. We had a great turn-out last year for the first Homecoming Parade in Stanford, and we hope even more students and community members will be present this year! *Thank you to the OHS Student Council (and sponsors) for all their work in making Homecoming week so memorable for our students.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Fall conferences are coming up in early October - please be looking for additional information from your child's school regarding the sign-up process.
October 10th & 11th - OHS Conferences
October 11th & 12th - OMS and Elementary Conferences
We hope to see many of you for our fall conferences.