District 57 adds third forum on referendum

Officials in Mount Prospect Elementary District 57 have added a third community forum to the calendar to share information about a March 20 tax hike referendum.

The third forum is set for 7 p.m. Monday, March 5, at Westbrook School, 103 S. Busse Road, Mount Prospect. The second forum is set for Thursday, March 1, also at Westbrook.

If voters pass the referendum, the district would impose an 85-cent increase in the tax rate, to 3.60 per $100 of equalized assessed value. That would mean an additional $238 per year for $100,000 of home value, but could be lower with exemptions, officials say.

District officials say the additional tax revenue is need to address serious financial challenges. If voters do not approve the measure, officials say the district will reduce in staffing, programs and maintenance budgets, and hike student fees.

At the upcoming forums, administrators and school board members will provide information about district finances and the referendum, as well as answer questions.