Glen Ellyn District 41 to hold forums on building projects

Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 will hold three forums this week to help decide whether to seek voter approval to borrow millions of dollars in tax-backed loans.

A survey also will ask the 10,000 households in its boundaries how the district should spend the money. One of the priciest proposals calls for building a $29 million to $30 million school on district-owned land.

The district also is polling residents about other possible projects to improve security, accessibility and aging infrastructure in its four elementary schools.

The results of the survey could shape a question on the ballot as early as next April. The school board would have to adopt the measure no later than Jan. 17.

Here's a look at some of the proposals.

Funding

The district expects to pay off existing debt in February 2018. With that loan off its books, the district's property tax bill for the owner of a $373,200 home - the average in Glen Ellyn - is set to drop $248.

If voters approved a ballot question, the district would issue new bonds to replace the expiring debt.

As a result, the property tax bill for that homeowner would decrease only $158 if the district borrowed $20 million. The bill would drop $89 if the district borrowed $30 million. The homeowner would see their bills drop by $22 if the district borrowed $40 million.

On the flip side, that homeowner's bill would increase $47 if the district borrowed $50 million. The homeowner would pay an additional $90 in taxes to the district if it borrowed $60 million.

Those estimates are based on the district paying back a new loan in 20 years, but the board has not determined a funding plan.

Principal and interest payments on a roughly $40 million loan would cost the district about $3 million annually over the life of the debt, Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Witham said.

New vs. additions

The district's kindergartners attend a half day of school. Superintendent Paul Gordon has pushed for a full-day program to help those students develop their math, reading and writing skills.

But finding room for full-day kindergarten classes has sparked debate.

The survey - due Nov. 21 - will seek input on three options:

• Building an early learning center on district-owned land at a cost of up to $29 million. The nearly 5-acre site has remained vacant since the district demolished Spalding Elementary in 1997. About 450 preschool and kindergarten students would attend.

• Building an elementary school for about 550 students in kindergarten through fifth grade at a cost of up to $30 million on the Spalding site. Existing schools also would house kindergartners.

Unlike the other options, the district would redraw its boundaries. The district will review the survey results before considering boundary changes, Gordon said.

• Building additions at the four elementary schools at a cost of up to $30 million.

A 32-member task force that studied the issue earlier this year wants kindergartners to go to the school they would attend as elementary students. Most group members support building additions.

But Gordon still favors a new facility to relieve space constraints in common areas such as bathrooms, cafeterias and gyms.

"From our vantage point, a new facility seems to make the most sense," Gordon said.

The district has spent roughly $15 million to remove portable units and replace them with brick-and-mortar classrooms at the four elementary schools. The last of those portables were cleared away last April from Churchill Elementary.

Hadley Junior High

Ten portable classrooms remain at Hadley Junior High, which first started using the units in 2001.

District officials have raised concerns about security and cutting instructional time to shuffle students to restrooms in the main building. They also order students inside the main school in sustained winds of 35 mph.

Building an addition would cost about $9.2 million.

Another concept by GreenAssociates, the district's architects, would remodel science classrooms, update space for music classes and add a cafeteria that would include a performing arts auditorium. That would cost about $21.1 million.

If you go

What: Community forums on future of Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 schools

When: 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday; 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: District 41 offices, 793 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn

Details: Architects and district officials will answer questions about possible building projects during the forums. Residents also can sign up to take tours of schools.

Info: D41.org/domain/681