Following a public hearing on the evening of Sept. 3, the Danville Independent School District’s Board of Education has adopted a general fund tax levy of 89.9 cents on real property and 94.4 cents on personal property, compared to the previous fiscal year’s tax levy of 87.7 cents on real property and 94.4 cents on personal property.

In previous years, the district has seen a decrease in tax rates, with a decrease of 10 cents per $100 of property value last fiscal year. 

The reason for the increase this fiscal year is so that the district can create a building fund of $558,528.33 for necessary facilities projects. 

“We’re making an investment on our building funds, and you get equalization from the state,” said Superintendent Ron Ballard. “It’s the only funding mechanism we have where we get equalization from the state, and we’re designating it strictly for building funds.” 

Ballard outlined the following potential projects that will be funded by this revenue source: 

• John W. Bate Middle School renovations, which are anticipated to begin in the spring and continue for the next two years. The building hasn't gotten a renovation since it was first built in the 1970s. 
• Admiral Stadium renovations, which will begin as early as this fall. The stadium also hasn't had a renovation since it was built in the 1970s. These improvements and renovations include improvements to lighting, restrooms, concession stands, a few decorative changes, plumbing, electric, and potentially a field house adjacent to the stadium. 
• Adding turfing to the infield for softball and baseball, as well as at the Edna L. Toliver Intermediate School playground. 
• Finishing roofing projects at the Danville High School gym and at Central Office. After these projects, all roofs on buildings in the district will be under 7 years old.
• Improving the Danville High School gym floor starting in the spring.
• Renovation of the Gore House, which is located behind DHS. The vision for this space is that it will be a student support building, focused on mental health supports and our Community Schools Initiative, and to have a functioning kitchen and resources to support migrant and homeless students, as well as the district’s Youth Service Centers.
• Beginning the Anchor Plaza project, which will be an outdoor classroom space in front of DHS. This is expected to start in the spring. The district will also be working on renovations to the front steps at DHS to make the entrance more handicap-accessible.
• Energy savings projects at Bate and DHS.

Ballard added that, unrelated to this particular funding but important to note, the district is on the last stages of completing improvements to lighting at Gravely Hall Performing Arts Center. He also said the district’s District Facilities Plan is due in the spring and will let the district know of additional facilities needs. A large focus will be on making the district's buildings, especially DHS, more compliant with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).