Warren to decide on whether to place building projects before voters

Warren Township High School is expected to decide Tuesday whether to place a plan before voters that could cost up to $32 million, mostly for renovations at the Almond Road upperclassmen campus.

Gurnee-based Warren District 121 would ask voter permission Nov. 4 to borrow money for expanding the Almond Road building's student capacity to 2,200. The project, in part, would entail adding classrooms, creating more parking and expanding the cafeteria.

In addition, District 121 officials at a meeting this week mentioned the possibility of borrowing cash to upgrade security at the O'Plaine Road campus for freshmen and sophomores.

School board members are to meet Tuesday night and are expected to decide whether to place a referendum question before voters on the November ballot. They must act by Sept. 2 to do that.

Warren might need voter authorization to borrow up to $32 million on the high end if board members agree money is needed for all plans on the table for the Almond Road expansion and security enhancements at the O'Plaine building.

"This is all options for the board," District 121 Superintendent Phil Sobocinski said. "We can do all of it. We can do none of it."

If the proposed building projects go to a vote and are approved, Warren's loan would offset an anticipated tax-rate reduction.

Read more details later in the Daily Herald or www.dailyherald.com.