 Villa Grove Community Unit School District Number 302 was organized February 28, 1948, under a then new Community Unit District Bill signed into law in July, 1947. At time of formation, the new district encompassed 79 1/2 square miles, consolidating into one all or parts of 21 separate village and rural schools. The total assessed valuation was $14,000,000. The first tax levy totaled $119,215 and the total tax rate was .829. Enrollment for grades 1-12 was 635.
On March 17, 1959, by a vote of 817 to 492, a $850,000 bond issue was approved, providing funds for extensive high school remodeling, addition of administrative offices, gymnasium, shops and elementary classrooms. In September, 1960, the old elementary and junior high buildings located at the corner of Sycamore and Harrison Streets were abandoned and students were moved into the new addition to the high school. On September 10, 1966, a bond issue in the amount of $65,000 was approved, which when supplemented with nearly $300,000 from the building fund, provided enough funds for construction of a small gymnasium and eight additional classrooms. In September, 1967, the Camargo Grade School was closed and students were transferred to the Villa Grove attendance center. Also in September of that year, the St. Mary's Parochial School was closed and children from that school were absorbed into the Villa Grove School. |