District 25 wants input on borrowing plan

Benjamin Elementary District 25 will hold two open houses this week to get feedback on a borrowing plan that would require voter approval.

The roughly 725-student district that serves portions of Carol Stream and West Chicago is considering a spring ballot question that would seek permission to issue $4.9 million in bonds to finance improvements in its two schools. If approved, the portion of the district tax rate used to pay off debt would permanently decrease about 16 percent.

If voters oppose the measure, the owner of home valued at $250,000 would see the district's portion of their tax bills drop by about $220 because of the retirement of existing debt.

If voters approve the measure, that same homeowner would see their bills decrease an estimated $73 over the prior year.

Some of the projects would renovate science labs at Benjamin Middle School, improve security in the front entrance at Evergreen Elementary School and replace some portions of building roofs.

The forums will run from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday in Evergreen's cafeteria at 1041 Evergreen Drive in Carol Stream.

The school board could vote to place a question on the ballot at its Jan. 9 meeting.