East St. Louis School District 189 Credit Upgrade to Save Taxpayers About $900,000

EAST ST. LOUIS — East St. Louis School District 189 has reached an important financial milestone that will directly benefit local taxpayers and support upcoming school improvements.

Moody’s Ratings has upgraded the School District’s credit rating from Ba1 to Baa2. This two-level increase moves the East St. Louis School District from a below-investment category into “investment grade” status — similar to improving a credit score. Such a two-level upgrade in a single review is relatively uncommon and reflects steady progress in the School District’s financial position.

This upgrade means the School District is seen as a lower-risk borrower, allowing it to secure better interest rates when it borrows money.

That improvement comes at a critical time. East St. Louis School District 189 is preparing for an upcoming bond sale to fund needed facility upgrades, including high school cafeteria and auditorium renovations, parking lot expansions at multiple schools, and athletic field improvements.

Because of the stronger credit rating, the East St. Louis School District is expected to borrow at lower interest rates — reducing costs by approximately 0.25% and saving local taxpayers an estimated $900,000 over the 20-year life of the bonds.

“The ratings upgrade is a direct result of careful financial management and planning,” said Superintendent Arthur R. Culver. “We’ve worked hard to strengthen our financial position, and now our community will see the benefit through lower borrowing costs and long-term savings.”

The credit upgrade reflects School District 189’s ability to maintain strong financial reserves while responsibly managing federal COVID-19 relief funds to support both facility HVAC improvements and student learning.

By earning an investment-grade rating, the East St. Louis School District can now attract more investors, increasing competition and further helping to keep borrowing costs low.

This milestone underscores East St. Louis School District’s commitment to responsible stewardship of public resources while continuing to invest in safe, modern, and high-quality learning environments for students.

East St. Louis School District 189 is focused on providing rigorous, high-quality education and exceptional educational experiences to the nearly 4,600 students within the community. Our vision is for students to be supported physically, socially, and emotionally in a safe and nurturing environment to achieve academic success that prepares them for college, the workforce, and citizenship in the 21st century. For more information, visit www.estl189.com. Follow more great stories @estl189 on Facebook and Twitter.

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