Kyle Hacke, Superintendent at North Mac Community Unit School District 34 | https://s.hdnux.com/
Kyle Hacke, Superintendent at North Mac Community Unit School District 34 | https://s.hdnux.com/
Under Illinois law, districts may only borrow up to a certain limit based on their Equalized Assessed Value (EAV)—a standardized measure of taxable property used to determine legal debt caps.
Based on the school district's enrollment of 7,210 students, the countywide debt translates to approximately $8,072 per student as of fiscal year 2024.
The county includes eight school districts, of which North Mac Community Unit School District 34 held the most debt, totaling $24.2 million.
North Mac Community Unit School District 34 ranked 151st statewide among all 851 Illinois districts reporting outstanding debt.
Among the school districts in Macoupin County, North Mac Community Unit School District 34 used the highest percentage of its EAV-based debt limit at 14%, holding $24.2 million in outstanding debt with 1,133 students enrolled—approximately $21,355 per student. Gillespie Community Unit School District 7 ranked second, using 11.7% of its borrowing capacity with $12.1 million in long-term debt and an enrollment of 1,124— $10,765 per student.
Countywide, students identifying as white comprised the largest ethnic group in Macoupin County schools, accounting for 93.7% of the total enrollment. The second-largest ethnic group was multiracial, comprising 2.8% of the student body.
The data was obtained by Wirepoints through a Freedom of Information Act request to the Illinois State Board of Education.
Illinois has enacted a law that changes the amount of debt school districts can issue. According to an analysis by Chapman, the new rules permit school districts to borrow more money than previously allowed. At the same time, the law modifies limits on property tax extensions that fund this debt. As a result, if districts take on more debt, local property taxes could increase to cover the additional costs.
The Illinois State Board of Education’s budget for fiscal year 2026 will increase from nearly $10.8 billion to about $11.2 billion. This includes a $307 million boost for K–12 schools, marking the smallest annual increase since 2020.
The agency has paused about $50 million in funding previously allocated through the Evidence-Based Funding formula for the Property Tax Relief Grant while reviewing its impact on local tax relief. Officials say the pause could affect the timing and amount of property tax relief available to taxpayers.
The annual reporting aims to increase transparency and accountability around school debt. Future reports will include 15 years of historical data, allowing residents to track long-term financial trends.
Outstanding School Debt by School District in Macoupin County, FY 2024
| County Rank | State Rank | School District | Outstanding Debt | Percentage of Debt Limit Used | Percentage of EAV Used | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 151 | North Mac Community Unit School District 34 | $24,195,000 | 101.7% | 14% | 1,133 |
| 2 | 267 | Gillespie Community Unit School District 7 | $12,099,711 | 84.7% | 11.7% | 1,124 |
| 3 | 282 | Southwestern Community Unit School District 9 | $11,458,693 | 42.9% | 5.9% | 1,154 |
| 4 | 488 | Bunker Hill Community Unit School District 8 | $3,742,065 | 38.5% | 5.3% | 556 |
| 5 | 509 | Staunton Community Unit School District 6 | $3,371,105 | 15.5% | 2.1% | 1,160 |
| 6 | 535 | Carlinville Community Unit School District 1 | $2,850,000 | 9.5% | 1.3% | 1,283 |
| 7 | 710 | Mount Olive Community Unit School District 5 | $288,832 | 3.9% | 0.5% | 485 |
| 8 | 729 | Northwestern Community Unit School District 2 | $193,138 | 2.2% | 0.3% | 315 |
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