Joe LaMargo calls for Orland School District 135 board to recall high tax levy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 Contact:   Joe LaMargo

March 9, 2011                                                                             jlamargo1@gmail.com

                  

Joe LaMargo calls for Orland School District 135 board to recall high tax levy

                        Orland School District 135 board candidate Joe LaMargo is recommending that the school district board evaluate its decision to increase the tax levy by 4.68% arguing that the excessive increase is not needed and places too high of a tax burden on the community it serves.

            “I have closely scrutinized the school district’s financial documents, and there’s simply no reason to extend a greater financial burden on the school district’s taxpayers,” LaMargo said. “ The financial statements clearly state that there are enough funds in reserve as well as expected revenue to subsidize the school district for the entire 2010-2011 school year.”

             LaMargo accessed the financial documents on the school district’s website. According to the statement of net assets, School District 135 had $50,968,476 in cash and investments as of June 30, 2010. This amount was enough to sufficiently cover 72% of the school district’s expenses for the upcoming fiscal year. The remaining 18% of the total $70,780,954 in expenditures would be funded by expected revenues, and NO increase in the tax levy would be necessary.

            “As taxpayers, we are entitled to know why the School District 135 board voted unanimously to increase the tax levy when the district’s documents show that the hike wasn’t

 necessary,” LaMargo added. “This money should either be returned to the taxpayers or used immediately to benefit our children’s education.”

            If elected, LaMargo’s first priority will be to establish a fund balance policy for Orland School District 135. His extensive background in finance and government will be useful in designing the policy.

            “School districts receive the largest portion of our property tax bills and directly affect our property values,” LaMargo said. “Fiscal responsibility is imperative.”

            LaMargo recommends that any excess funds should be used to enhance technology and help teachers at all the School District 135 schools.

            “Our schools shouldn’t have antiquated, rebuilt computers that operate intermittently,” LaMargo said. “In order to prepare our children for a competitive world, we have to provide all classrooms with technology including interactive whiteboards to ensure that our children are part of an engaged learning environment.”

A nine year resident of Orland Park, Joe LaMargo is employed as the deputy village clerk for the Village of Orland Park, a separate entity from Orland School District 135. Joe offers Orland School District 135 nearly 20 years government experience at the state, county and municipal levels. He holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership with an emphasis in public policy from Lewis University.  Joe earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from Loyola University.  He is a graduate of Marist High School.  Joe and his wife Melissa have three sons, all of whom attend Orland District 135 schools

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