D211 to vote on replacing computers with unexpected TIF funds

The Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 board will vote Thursday on whether to spend unexpected money received from a tax-increment financing district on computer purchases that were deferred due to a lack of state funds.

Last month, District 211 officials said they would receive about $1.2 million in unanticipated funds from the village of Palatine’s Dundee Road TIF. The board pledged to use that money, and $950,000 from the district’s educational fund, on computer purchases.

TIFs withhold property taxes generated from new development within a district and use that money to pay for improvements within the TIFs boundaries. A typical TIF lasts 23 years. Advocates argue the property will be more valuable afterward, ultimately giving taxing bodies more money.

The spending proposal before the school board includes replacing student computers, auditorium projectors and increasing the capacity of school computer networks.

Last July, District 211 elected to postpone purchases to replace and upgrade equipment in response to Springfield lawmakers’ decision to reduce funding to public schools across the state. Those cuts resulted in District 211 receiving $4 million less than anticipated.

Superintendent Nancy Robb said last month that district officials tried to avoid cutting resources that would affect students in the classroom. The TIF money gives the district a chance to further avoid that, Robb said.

The board received bids from 28 technology companies. There are 14 bid items up for consideration.

Thursday night’s board meeting agenda also includes minor changes to next school year’s curriculum, and recognition of Palatine High School student Emily Liquin and Hoffman Estates High School student Mengran Liu. Both earned a 36 on the their ACT, the highest composite score possible.