District 303 chooses new member, but referendum looms

St. Charles Unit District 303 school board members answered one question about the immediate future of the district Wednesday night, but created a lot more questions about its long-term prospects.

The board interviewed three candidates for the board seat vacated by Bob Lindahl last month at a special meeting. After about an hour of open interviews followed by a closed-door deliberation, the board unanimously selected Mike Vyzral to fill the seat.

Vyzral, 47, has one child at St. Charles East High School and another at Thompson Middle School. He also serves on the board of the St. Charles Storm. His wife is also the PTO president of Thompson. Vyzral will be sworn in at the next school board meeting in January. He told the board he has no preconceived notions about the looming tax increase referendum.

And that's where the new questions begin.

Board members showed even they are a bit confused about the true price tag of a tax increase to renovate or rebuild every school in the district. Superintendent Don Schlomann told them the full construction cost is $294 million.

However, Board Member Karla Ray said she wanted to make public a number that also reflects any financing costs and the loss of savings homeowners would see.

The savings loss comes from the fact that the district's tax rate would drop if voters do not approve the referendum for the building improvements. Schlomann said he'd calculate the number and have it available soon.

That number may either be included or explained in a list of about 60 questions that 500 registered voters will be asked in a random telephone poll the first week of January. The school board reviewed the questions Wednesday night. Board members showed they want to get as good a reading on the community's receptiveness of the referendum before putting it on April ballots. The survey may include some questions that measure the receptiveness of a tax increase now versus a year from now when the economy may be better.

The board said they are very aware that the financial situation of residents has changed drastically this year.

The survey will also include questions about the trustworthiness of the school board and the summit process.

"The fundamental answer is, if we go, is the community going to support this?" Board Member Scott Nowling said.