Referendum approval could help District 124 expand for future

Voters living within Grant Community High School's boundaries are being asked to approve a $38.5 building project that won't hit them with a tax increase.

However, an owner of a home with a hypothetical value of $200,000 would see a roughly $132 decrease in the annual tax bill from Fox Lake-based Grant District 124 if the request is rejected in the Feb. 5 ballot measure.

Proponents want residents to approve the plan that would allow the construction while keeping the tax rate at $2.053 per $100 equalized assessed value of a home. They say it'll be the only chance to approve a building project without a tax hike.

If the referendum proposal gains voter approval, Grant would pursue an expansion to accommodate 2,300 students. About 111,400 square feet of new space would include 21 classrooms, an activity center/field house, art studios and science laboratories.

"Grant has a history of being very conservative when it comes to these things," said Paul Jakstas, a member of Grant Citizens Helping Students, which is promoting a "yes" vote.

Construction would occur in two phases. The activity center/field house, with seating for 2,500, would be ready for the 2009-10 academic year. Physical education classes would be in the new building Monday through Friday, as well as accommodating team sports and community events.

Should voters say "no" on Feb. 5, Grant's tax rate would drop to about $1.85 per $100 equalized assessed valuation. Grant supporters counter by saying the tax-rate decrease wouldn't be long term, with the needed construction projects escalating in cost if delayed.

Grant Superintendent John Benedetti said the need for the building projects is real. He said the 1,750-capacity high school is pretty much full with 1,745 students, and that enrollment is projected to reach 2,300 by 2014.

"We know the students are going to be here," Benedetti said. "There is no doubt in our minds our facility will be overcrowded."

Benedetti said he's hopeful Grant residents will support keeping the tax rate as it as because the district has been financially responsible. He said that careful planning has brought District 124 to the point where it can launch a $38.5 million construction project without hiking the tax rate.

Grant would repay the $38.5 million over 13 years, not the standard 20 years, said Christine Sefcik, the district's assistant superintendent for business and operations.

Proponents note Grant is seeking taxpayer approval next month after retiring debt from a 2000 addition. Fees collected from developers paid for library and classroom additions in 2005.

Grant would figure out how to accommodate a growing enrollment in the event the referendum measure is torpedoed, but Benedetti said there is no need for proponents to outline those possibilities to the community at this time. He said mobile classrooms are among the possibilities.

"I don't like school districts that threaten or give ultimatums," Benedetti said. "We're not there."

Organized opposition to the referendum has yet to publicly surface.

State campaign finance records show Grant Citizens Helping Students received $7,250 in itemized contributions during the most-recent reporting period running from July 1 to Dec. 31.

Top contributors included $3,500 from the William Blair & Co. financial firm in Chicago and $3,000 from IHC Construction Cos. in Elgin., which has handled projects at Grant and several other schools.

Grant Citizens Helping Students had a $4,881 fund balance as of Dec. 31, state records show.

Grant Community High School District 124 referendum

Address: 218 E. Grand Ave., Fox Lake

Phone number: (847) 587-2561

What they are asking: Voters are being asked to approve $38.5 million building project to accommodate a projected 2,300 students by 2014. Plans call for 111,400 square feet of new space, including 21 classrooms and an activity center/field house. The loan would be paid off over 13 years.

What it means to taxpayers: If approved, the tax rate would stay at $2.053 per $100 equalized assessed valuation. If rejected, there would be a temporary tax rate decrease to $1.85. That drop would mean an owner of a $200,000 home would pay $132 less to Grant.