A lot has been written about the 1 percent sales tax and how the Dixon Public School District should focus on academics instead of pursuing a sports and activities complex. Opponents of the tax separate academics from activities when, in fact, both are important in the total education of a student.

The link between extracurricular activities and academic performance is, in actuality, extremely strong. A 2008 study conducted at Liberty University found that participation in high school athletics had a dramatic and positive impact on academic performance.  

This fall, the sophomores, juniors and seniors at Dixon High School involved in activities had a cumulative grade-point average of 2.78, which is a B average, whereas the sophomores, juniors and seniors not involved in activities had a cumulative grade-point average of 2.34, which equates to a C.