Taxes, gifted education top concerns for Geneva parents
Parents and Geneva residents who spoke to school board members Saturday at a community forum asked the board to keep the core of the good education the district provides, increase options for gifted students, and do it all despite financial challenges and a debt burden.
Geneva School Board members opened their ears to public comments about facilities, finances and educational programs for almost two hours Saturday. Board president Mark Grosso said they got an earful of variety and found it “refreshing to hear everyone’s opinions.”
About 20 parents or residents spoke about topics including their concern over increasing property taxes, their worries about student homework loads and their belief the district’s top students need more challenging classes.
The district’s debt and financial tax burden to residents is a top concern for Bob McQuillan, a founder of the Geneva TaxFACTS advocacy group, who said the board needs to make sure the public education it provides remains affordable.
Property taxes are expected to increase $279 this year for a home with a market value of $288,000, in part, because of a 2007 vote to borrow $79 million to build new facilities and improve others. The district’s debt now stands at $155 million, officials said Saturday.
Resident Fred Dresser encouraged the board to use additional revenue from the tax increase to pay down debt and consider making other cuts to further decrease the amount owed.
“We just want to make sure we can get this debt paid off without incurring any further debt so that maybe — maybe — our taxes can be reduced,” Dresser said.
Parent Steve Cordogan said the district should offer more advanced placement courses at the high school level and try to increase ACT scores.
“Scores will only rise if students learn more. Trying to focus on preparing more for tests does not help,” said Cordogan, who works as director of research and evaluation at Township High School District 214 in the northwest suburbs. “Let’s see if we can continue to improve student learning despite the economic challenges.”
The school board plans to hold another community forum in the fall to continue gathering input to assist with setting its priorities. For now, Grosso said listening to parent and resident concerns is a balancing act.
“Some want more in the educational program; some want us to make cuts,” he said. “You have to try to balance what each group wants.”
Concerns: Board plans to hold another community forum in the fall