Referendum to reflect Antioch's wants

Before launching a third referendum bid, Antioch Elementary District 34 officials want to get a handle on what people actually want from their schools.

To do this, the district has created Navigate 34, a public engagement campaign that starts Tuesday.

"This is bigger than just a referendum," said school board member Brent Bluthardt. "What we've learned is residents need a voice. We're hoping through this process we can get the input of as many residents as we can."

A committee of 14 community members, district employees and school board members make up the Navigate34 team.

The group will meet with the public from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Antioch Upper Grade School to solicit recommendations on facilities, staffing, finances and curriculum.

Six additional sessions are scheduled for Jan. 22, Feb. 19, March 18, April 22, May 20 and June 17.

"It is literally asking every person with any stake in Antioch what they want," said Kenneth Miller, one of the Navigate34 leaders. "Everyone should be concerned with what the public school system looks like."

Bluthardt said while a third referendum attempt is inevitable, it is too soon to tell what the proposal will look like or when it will be on a ballot.

Earlier this year, Antioch voters rejected a $46.9 million tax-increase measure to fund a new elementary and middle school.

Miller thinks success of a future referendum has a lot to do with people not understanding the overcrowding problem.

Miller, who moved to the community two years ago from Connecticut, has a daughter at Oakland Elementary School and two sons at Hillcrest Elementary.

"I look at Oakland School and see trailers outside," he said. "I walked in one day and saw a child taking a state test sitting at a desk in the hallway. This is the future of our country. Perhaps people didn't make that connection."

Miller said once everyone is on the same page, the committee will make recommendations to the school board.

"Any great movement in history is the result of the masses," he said. "If enough people want to make something happen, we will."

If you go

What: District 34 Community Engagement meeting

Where: Antioch Upper Grade School, 800 Highview Drive.

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday; additional sessions set for Jan. 22, Feb. 19, March 18, April 22, May 20 and June 17