Endorsement: Kaneland District 302 referendum

Growth has fueled many changes in the Kaneland school district in the last several years. But even though this region is in a housing slump like much of the country, the ripples from that growth are still affecting the district.

After a tax-increase bid failed last spring, eighth-graders were moved to the high school for part of the day because the middle school is so overcrowded -- 1,050 students in a building built for 750.

The district can handle this arrangement for only one more year because the grade level numbers are getting larger every year and the high school would run out of room. For example, this year's 12th-grade class at Kaneland is 242 students. The average size of each grade level from K-8 is more than 350 students and this year's kindergarten enrollment was the district's largest ever.

The solution can be a tough pill to swallow for some taxpayers -- a $65 million building bond sale that would cost about $300 more a year for the owner of a $300,000 home.

The request, which has gone up by $12 million from last year because of various construction cost increases, would pay for a new middle school on Harter Road in Sugar Grove, remodeling at the current middle school, an expansion of the elementary school, and a few smaller life/safety improvements at other schools.

We recommend a "yes" vote for a plan that's in line with what the district needs.

Many are upset about growth and figure a "no" vote might stem the tide, or make a statement. That's their right, but the school will keep coming back with building requests, the price will keep going up and the kids won't disappear. What will likely appear is mobile classrooms, a fiscally unwise option.