Keith Senior, Superintendent at West Washington County CUSD #10 | https://ohslaunchpad.com/
Keith Senior, Superintendent at West Washington County CUSD #10 | https://ohslaunchpad.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 1,651 students, the countywide debt translates to approximately $5,097 per student as of fiscal year 2024.
The county includes five school districts, of which West Washington County Community Unit School District 10 held the most debt, totaling $7.2 million.
West Washington County Community Unit School District 10 ranked 368th statewide among all 851 Illinois districts reporting outstanding debt.
Among the school districts in Washington County, West Washington County Community Unit School District 10 used the highest percentage of its EAV-based debt limit at 7%, holding $7.2 million in outstanding debt with 509 students enrolled—approximately $14,127 per student. Nashville Consolidated Community School District 49 ranked second, using 0.4% of its borrowing capacity with $607,762 in long-term debt and an enrollment of 590— $1,030 per student.
Countywide, students identifying as white comprised the largest ethnic group in Washington County schools, accounting for 96.7% of the total enrollment. The second-largest ethnic group was multiracial, comprising 2.1% 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 Washington County, FY 2024
| County Rank | State Rank | School District | Outstanding Debt | Percentage of Debt Limit Used | Percentage of EAV Used | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 368 | West Washington County Community Unit School District 10 | $7,190,530 | 50.4% | 7% | 509 |
| 2 | 673 | Nashville Consolidated Community School District 49 | $607,762 | 5.4% | 0.4% | 590 |
| 3 | 678 | Nashville Community High School District 99 | $567,000 | 3.9% | 0.3% | 364 |
| 4 | 760 | Ashley Community Consolidated School District 15 | $40,000 | 1.6% | 0.1% | 126 |
| 5 | 769 | Irvington Community Consolidated School District 11 | $10,000 | 0.9% | 0.1% | 62 |
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