District 301 moving forward with high school additions

With voters approving a $22 million bond request Tuesday, Burlington Central High School will be able to accommodate student enrollment growth for the next 15 years.

"It's rare in our district that a referendum passes on the first try," said Todd Stirn, superintendent of Central Unit District 301. "We were able to demonstrate the need."

The money will fund the construction of 12 classrooms and a new field house. The high school, which has 1,051 students, is expected to surpass its 1,100-student capacity with 1,158 students in the 2018-19 school year and reach 1,214 students by 2019-20, based on current enrollment at the middle schools.

Stirn attributed success at the ballot box to the district referendum committee's efforts to inform voters through informational meetings, forums and four weeks of canvassing neighborhoods.

"I also think that social media played an important role and that committee members were able to share the message and clarify misunderstandings about the referendum," Stirn said. "We were also able to demonstrate that the total tax rate for the school district would be decreasing. We are so grateful to everyone who volunteered their time and efforts to make this positive effect for our students for the future."

District 301's tax rate - currently levied at $7.66 per $100 of equalized assessed value - was expected to decrease with the spring tax bill in 2018 to $6.71 due to a reduction in existing bond payments. In 2006, the district borrowed more than $40 million for the construction of Prairie Knolls Middle School, Country Trails Elementary School and an addition at Burlington Central.

After issuing new bonds, the tax rate would amount to $6.96. The district's portion of the property tax bill for the owner of a $300,000 home would amount to $6,542 - without voter approval of the bonds the bill would have been $6,307, a difference of $235.

Stirn said the new loan would be repaid over 20 years at $1.6 million in yearly principal and interest payments. Interest rates are projected to be roughly 3.36 percent. The bonds would be issued by early next year so construction of the high school addition can begin in the spring with anticipated completion in August 2018.