School reorganization proposal certified

A proposition to form an optional elementary unit school district in Union County has been certified to appear on the March 20 primary election ballot.

Union County Clerk Bobby Toler Jr. said he received certification last Thursday to place the issue on the ballot.

The certification came from regional superintendent of schools Janet Ulrich.

Ulrich serves as regional superintendent for Union, Alexander, Johnson, Massac and Pulaski counties.

While the regional superintendent did certify the issue, Toler noted that the decision could still be appealed.

The proposition focuses on a proposed reorganization involving Lick Creek School District 16, Anna School District 37, Jonesboro School District 43 and Anna-Jonesboro Community High School District 81.

Ulrich said that if the proposal is approved by voters, then a seven-member board of education would be elected in November to serve the new school district.

The new district would officially be established on July 1, 2013.

The official wording on the ballot will open with two paragraphs:

"Proposition to establish an optional elementary unit district from the territory included within Anna Community Consolidated School District No. 37, Anna-Jonesboro Community High School District No. 81, Jonesboro Community Consolidated School District No. 43 and Lick Creek Community Consolidated School District No. 16, counties of Union and Alexander, State of Illinois.

"The proposition to establish an optional elementary unit district shall pass if a majority of those voting in the high school district vote in favor of the proposition and a majority of those voting in at least one of the elementary districts vote in favor of the proposition. In that case, all of the territory in the high school district shall be included in the optional elementary unit district for high school purposes. However, only the territory of the elementary districts in which a majority of those voting vote in favor shall be included in the optional elementary unit district for elementary purposes."