Sep. 29—CLINTON — Clinton Community School District administration, board members and staff were joined Thursday in Rastrelli's Tuscany Special Events Center by local business leaders and city and state officials at the annual Vision of the District luncheon and presentation.
Each year, the District holds the event to look back over recent years as well as where the District is headed in the future.
CCSD Superintendent Gary DeLacy delivered a report on the financial health of the District, which included a recent tax rate history. In 2021, the year a $2.70 levy to fund a bond issued to fund a renovation of the high school, the District's tax rate was $16.73. Over the last few years, that rate has consistently dropped to the current rate of $15.45, which still includes the $2.70 levy.
DeLacy explained this was possible due to the elimination of a special education deficit.
"We are building a new high school for the price that we were spending on special education in the past," he said.
The new high school is presently in the second phase of the project which is over halfway to entire completion — $23 million worth of work remains of the $62 million project. With the 1919 building demolished, the foundation of what will become a new Fine Arts Center is taking formation. Approximately two years from now, DeLacy said, the project should be finished.
Work has also been done to increase school safety over the last few years. EVOLVE artificial intelligence technology now borders school entrances in lieu of metal detectors, and $50,000 provided in federal funding per school district building is to translate to security cameras, two-way radios, and the hardware on doors expected to be installed by the end of the year.
"I see this as one of my major responsibilities as superintendent," DeLacy said, "is how do we maintain a safe environment."
Assistant Superintendent Wes Golden reviewed Portrait of a Graduate competencies identified to prepare students for their futures. While the District provides opportunities for students to gain experience in the real-world workforce, Golden said the District is further along than most other districts in developing and implementing progressions to achieve the competencies.
Three students of the Synergy program, a student-led STEM initiative in which they work to revitalize the community, presented their major project for this year. On Nov. 8, an open house will be held at the Church at Lyons from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to fund-raise for Information Referral & Assistance Services before the upcoming holiday season. Their goal is to raise $10,000 for the organization.