Despite the economic downturn that has hit local school districts hard, one area school is proud to report they have once again turned in a balanced budget.

Lincoln High School Superintendent Robert Bagby indicates for the fifth straight year, his Board of Education has worked to see Lincoln High School have a balanced budget in Fiscal Year 2014. Among the major factors for that, Bagby credits his staff and touts the one cent sales tax they continue to reap the benefits from.

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The money districts have been cut from the state of Illinois in just the last five years is astounding, and not a problem exclusive to Lincoln High School. Still, Bagby says the district is very fortunate to be balancing their budget year after year despite the state's shortfalls.

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Bagby says the downturn of the state's economy and funding cuts from Illinois were not hard to predict. He feels the warning signs of what is happening were evident over six years ago when schools began facing cuts.

Lincoln High School is a stand alone district in Lincoln. Their feeder districts include District 27, West Lincoln-Broadwell, Chester-East Lincoln, and New Holland-Middletown.