NEPONSET/KEWANEE — The Kewanee School District is in good financial shape, thanks at least, in part, to last year’s annexation of the Neponset Grade School District into Kewanee.

At last week’s meeting of the Kewanee School Board, auditor Stephanie Ramsey of Gorenz and Associates said the district’s total equalized assessed valuation rose during the past year from about $60 million to $73 million, due to the annexation of the Neponset School District. Also, the Kewanee District has benefited from reorganization incentive payments offered by the state for school districts to annex or consolidate.

Dr. Chris Sullens, superintendent for the Kewanee School District, said the annexation of Neponset into Kewanee has gone smoothly for students and staff.