No Dist. 220 tax increase planned for ballot

After three straight elections with referendum questions on the ballot, residents in Barrington Area Unit District 220 will not be asked to approve a tax-rate increase this time around.

On Tuesday, the district's school board decided against putting a proposal on the February ballot asking for money to build a new middle school. Originally, the board had intended to ask for the money during the spring election in April.

However, in an effort to have Illinois play a larger role in the presidential primary, the election was moved up to February.

Without those extra months of planning time, board members said they felt uncomfortable putting a plan together in time for a February election.

After two previous failed attempts to get voters to approve money for new middle schools, board member Jeff Nordquist said it is imperative the issue gets passed when it does come up for a vote.

"I want to set ourselves up for success and I don't think we are ready for that," Nordquist said.

Also on Tuesday, school board members decided they would spend between $12 million and $15 million from its reserve funds on facility improvements.

Where exactly that money will be spent still needs to be decided.