Riechman and Kampwerth honored for dedication to help veterans
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- Written by: Kelly Jo Ross - Breese Journal Reporter
Two honorary life memberships were bestowed on Greg Riechman and Kathy (Rakers) Kamp-werth for their dedication and commitment to the veterans of Clinton County. They have been instrumental in the coordination of the “Honor Flights” taking veterans to visit Washington, D.C., along with other veteran benefits and services such as “Whispering Pines of Clinton County” and the Jim Beasley Veterans Tribute Wall at Kaskaskia College. Riechman and Kampwerth were honored at the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 269 Christmas meeting and dinner. They join seven other members as Honorary Life Members. Pictured are (from left) VVA Chapter 269 president Ken Haselhorst, Honorary Member and Honor Flights coordinator Carl Huels, Kathy Kampwerth, Greg Riechman, and Membership/Christmas dinner chairman Jim Lampe.
Central High School board approves tax levy
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- Written by: Kelly Jo Ross - Breese Journal Reporter
At their last meeting on Dec. 15, the Central Community High School board adopted their 2025 tax levy to be collected in 2026.
A Truth in Taxation hearing was held Dec. 15, prior to the regular board meeting, and Central Superintendent Dr. Dustin Foutch stated the school district's current rate is one of the lowest in the state of Illinois (for a high school district), and any options for the 2025 levy show that the tax rate is pretty low.
The board adopted Tax Levy Option "B," which would reduce their tax rate from 1.7962 to 1.7590.
"Although our school district isn’t directly responsible for the assessed value on property, we are extremely conscientious with regard to lowering our tax rate," Foutch said at a previous meeting. "This has been evident as our tax rate has now been reduced for the fourth year in a row, and we now have one of the lowest tax rates in the state of Illinois."
In other news, Central Community High School has 27 students who were recently named as Illinois State Scholars from the class of 2026, which is a new school record.
Central sent letters of congratulations to the students and their parents, as well as notified the elementary districts for each student since they also played a huge role in the success of these students.
Foutch offered up more great news — students at Central are performing at the 94th percentile of all schools in Illinois in Overall Academic Achievement while we are under the 50th percentile in spending.
“Talk about an outstanding bang for the taxpayer buck,” he said.
Foutch stated that each calendar year, they have adopted a Risk Management Plan for the facility and personnel.
"It is this plan and the documentation we receive that provides us with the necessary system to justify expenditures of Tort Immunity Funds on salaries and other expenses," he said, adding that they will be completing a survey and time study of their employees during the month of March in order to develop the documentation on the appropriate salary expenses.
"The plan was drafted and adopted with guidance of our school attorney. A few years ago, we added several individuals to the listing including our technology staff, school counselors, and office personnel since they are also involved in liability reducing and control duties," said Foutch. "These people do activities each day that protect us from damages and should be part of the Risk Management Plan. Our auditors confirmed the appropriateness of this direction and continue to support this expenditure of funds."
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