Stevenson must be careful on spending

I agree with Stevenson High School Superintendent Eric Twadell, who said at a recent board meeting "that officials need to be careful not to commission a building that overestimates the potential size of the student population."

This discussion took place in regard to a building addition to SHS despite the fact that building enrollment has been at the projected increase to 4,500 students in the past, and no mobile classrooms had to be used.

A cost estimate for the project has not yet been publicized, nor have officials determined how to pay for an addition.

Additionally, school board members are currently considering $5.2 million in capital improvements such as an east building cafeteria ($1.4 million), an art center band shell ($686,713), and weight room improvements ($615,616). S.H.S. is already the best high school facility I have ever seen, doesn't need another cafeteria, and already has a fabulous weight room.

The housing market in Chicagoland is expected to be the weakest of any of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas in 2017. Illinois also has the highest property taxes in the nation, and over 90 percent of revenue to schools in affluent districts comes from property taxes.

Illinois has led the nation in population loss during the last three years, and has slow job growth. This year my property tax increased 5% last year with no real increase in market value. Therefore, high local school property taxes suppress market value.

Due to our dysfunctional state government, local school board members must be stewards of our tax dollars, and carefully consider the effects of additional capital improvement spending on local property taxes and market value.

Harry Georgas

Long Grove