Dist. 26 plan may seek tax hike for $29M early learning center

River Trails Elementary District 26 may ask voters to approve a tax hike in November to pay for construction of a $29 million early learning center.

Donna Johnson, president of the Mount Prospect-based district's school board, said officials are discussing a new building because the district's two elementary schools are at capacity.

"We noticed last September that elementary levels were getting pretty crowded," Johnson said. "We were short on space. So we were wondering, how could we alleviate that?"

Their potential answer is a new early learning center for kindergartners, preschoolers and programs for bilingual, special needs and high-risk students. Those students currently are spread across multiple buildings.

"People ask why they're not in the same place, and the reason is because there's not enough space anywhere to put them all under the same roof," Superintendent Dan Delli said.

Johnson said the proposal, if approved, also would make preschool more accessible. So far, she said, there's been a lot of public support for the plan because studies show early education for high-risk students helps them in the long run.

"The younger you can reach them, the more they can catch up with everyone in their grade level," Johnson said. "It even helps society to make sure (those students) stay in school and help them decide what they want to be when they grow up."

District officials say they're still calculating the potential cost to taxpayers. An earlier and more expensive plan, estimated at $35 million, would have had homeowners paying an additional $42 in taxes for every $1,000 in assessed property value. That figure will decrease with the less expensive proposal now before the school board, Delli said.

The plan calls for construction of a single-story, 20-classroom facility for about 400 students on district property at 1900 E. Kensington Road in Mount Prospect.

The 50-year-old building on the site would be torn down. It currently is home to the district office and Parkview Montessori, which has a lease on it until June 30, 2017.

The school board is expected to vote Aug. 9 whether to place the referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot.

"It's really in the hands of the taxpayers now," Delli said.

Johnson said officials are forming a committee to get the word out to residents about the proposal.

For more information, drawings and details about the project, visit the district's website, www.rtsd26.org.