District overview
North Clay Community Unit School District 25
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How North Clay is paid for and who decides
North Clay CUSD 25 runs two schools in Louisville, in Clay County: North Clay Elementary/Junior High School and North Clay High School, with about 570 students. Like other Illinois districts, it is paid through local property taxes plus state aid under the Evidence-Based Funding formula. A new solar farm raised the district's taxable property value from about $89 million to an estimated $125 million, so the state now expects the district to rely more on local taxes and will keep its aid flat. A seven-member elected Board of Education sets the tax levy and budget and hires Superintendent Keith Price.
Property tax levy up 55%
In December 2025 the board approved a levy 55% above last year's collection, after first proposing 81.65%. The superintendent said the tax rate had fallen from 3.85 in 2015 to 2.99.
State aid now flat
With the solar farm, the district is moving to a higher funding tier, so state aid in FY27 is expected to stay about the same in later years.
Budget gap, large savings
The FY27 budget spends about $307,000 more than it takes in, but operating savings are projected at about $7.48 million.
Elected board
Seven members are elected at Illinois' spring consolidated elections. The board appointed Jordan Robey to a vacant seat in February 2026.
A higher levy does not mean every tax bill rose 55%: much of the new value is the solar farm. The district's tax rate is among the lowest in the area, and residents at the December hearing both opposed and supported the levy.
Where the district stands
Operating spending is budgeted at $8,986,235.
After a planned gap of about $307,000.
Tentative levy had been 81.65%.
Up from about $89 million; the solar farm adds $23.4 million.
Context: $8,986,235 operating spending divided by 570 students (NCES 2022 enrollment, the latest figure on hand). Includes buildings and transportation.
Major projects
Summer 2026 building projects
completedAsbestos tile removal and new flooring in high school classrooms, repairs to the high school's outer wall coating, a new pre-K playground, more parking, and new doors.
- Superintendent allowed to apply for state maintenance grant
- Board accepts project bids
- Projects on schedule
- Pre-K playground nearly done after electrical delay
Funding
Health-Life-Safety and state School Maintenance Grant projects
Restroom and concession stand at the baseball field
planningThe buildings and grounds committee is gathering information to seek bids for a restroom and concession building near the high school baseball field.
- Committee discusses next steps
- Committee to gather information for bids
Funding
Not yet identified
$3 million working cash bonds
approved in principleThe board declared its intent to issue $3 million in working cash fund bonds. The collected records do not show a sale.
- Resolution of intent adopted
Funding
Bonds repaid from property taxes
Recent news
All North Clay CUSD 25 board minutes posted for November 2025 through September 2026 (scanned, read with OCR), the October 21, 2026 meeting results, the FY27 adopted budget, the FY25 Annual Financial Report, the FY26 salary and benefits report, the 2026-2029 teachers' contract, monthly check registers, and the 2026-27 student handbooks.
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