Annexation FAQs
Joppa Maple Grove Annexation by Massac Unit 1
The question of whether Joppa Maple Grove School District 38 should be annexed by Massac Unit School District 1 will be on the ballot for the April 4th election. A resolution was passed by the Board of Education of both school districts to put the question on the ballot for Massac County voters to decide. This page was created to help answer questions regarding the annexation issue. If you have any specific annexation questions that are not addressed here, please use this form to submit your questions. Relevant questions will be added to this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is required for the annexation to pass during the election in April?
The annexation question must gain approval of a majority in both taxing districts: Joppa Maple Grove & Massac Unit #1
If it does not get the majority in either district, the issue dies and annexation does not occur.
Does Unit 1 plan to use Joppa Maple Grove's surplus funds to build a new school?
No, a new elementary school is estimated to cost $50,000,000 and a new high school is estimated at $100,000,0000. Neither district has enough surplus funds even combined that would cover this expense.
Massac Unit 1 is on the 2005 school construction list and already has enough surplus reserved to cover the required matching amount. There are no plans to use any funds from Joppa Maple Grove to build a new school. Massac Unit 1 is simply waiting for funding for the construction grant from the Illinois General Assembly. If funded, Massac Unit 1 will likely receive the grant and build the school with or without annexation of Joppa Maple Grove.
Would Joppa Maple Grove property owners see their taxes go up if annexation occurs?
No. In fact, the feasibility study states that Joppa Maple Grove residents would see an immediate tax decrease. (pages 181-182 of the Feasibility Study) This is due to the fact that the overall tax rate for Massac Unit 1 has been lower than Joppa Maple Grove's tax rate over recent years.
A combined single school district for Massac County is the only logical way to ever decrease the burden of property taxes.
Will teachers lose their jobs if annexation occurs?
No. There are mechanisms built into the process by the state board to cover the added cost of personnel. These incentives are included on page 52 of the feasibility study presentation.
There are also rules that districts must follow if a reduction in workforce was undertaken, which would impact both districts and not just Joppa. Therefore, the Massac Board is committed to retaining all staff initially and relying on attrition (retirements) if we find any excess.
Would all of the Joppa Maple Grove Schools close immediately if annexation occurs?
No. Maple Grove Elementary has too many students for Unit 1 to house in any building or combination of buildings. Therefore, it would have to remain open until such time as a new facility is built. There is no definite timeline for such a project due to the lack of funding of the school construction grant at the state level.
The junior/senior high school students and faculty would likely end up being housed at Massac junior and senior high schools if annexation occurred. We have plenty of space available at these two facilities for these students.
Would annexation take place immediately if the voters approve in April?
No. There is an established timeline to not begin the actual annexation until the 2024/2025 school year to allow both district administrations to work out the transition plan, end multi-year contracts, etc..
Why is the annexation question even on the ballot?
Both districts hired a firm that studies school districts and their educational outcomes. The firm unanimously recommended annexation for multiple reasons.
It will provide more educational opportunities for students in both districts.
It will reduce the tax burden of both districts in the future
It reduces administrative costs
It reduces building and maintenance costs
It reduces utility costs
Will annexation create a very large school district?
Even though the student enrollment will increase in certain buildings, they will still remain small by comparison to most schools in Illinois.
Ex. Massac Unit 1 was ranked 308 out of 480 for the number of high school students enrolled in the Fall of 2021
64th District for high school enrollment
Massac Unit 1 would remain approximately in the 76th percentile of all school districts in Illinois with annexation