Prior to the regular meeting of the Staunton Board of Education on Dec. 20, a public hearing was held regarding the tax levy for 2021. Michael Kelly, the district’s interim superintendent, provided the members of the board and public a summary of the district’s prediction on the tax levy tentatively approved in November. Kelly outlined the need for the tax revenue, and he supplied a tax rate comparison with surrounding school districts. The Staunton district is the lowest in Macoupin County and the surrounding districts.

The comparison showed the rates of districts in Macoupin County, i...