A vote to maintain quality schools

Residents of Wheaton Warrenville District 200 will make a decision Tuesday which will impact the direction of the district for decades to come.

A yes vote means that essential capital and infrastructure needs (roof repair, plumbing and electrical repair, heating and cooling system repair) will be covered without impacting educational programs. It means needed structural changes (safe and secure entries for all buildings, up to date science and library learning centers, appropriate performance and fine arts space for all middle schools based on bringing Monroe Middle School up to standards) will be covered without impacting educational programs. A yes vote means that a facility appropriate for the needs of the most fragile learners in the district - preschoolers with special needs - will be provided without impacting other educational programs.

A no vote means the district will have to find other ways to fund the essential infrastructure and repair needs. The district administration has communicated to residents, using a nationally recognized and respected model, what will be necessary to just take care of the capital and repair needs should the referendum fail. Using the model, the district would have to set aside $6.5 million per year over the next several years compared to the current $1 million to meet those needs. Clearly, programs and staffing (probably increasing class size) will be negatively affected just to be sure that pipes are fixed and roofs are replaced. Secure entrances, performing arts space at Monroe, a new early childhood center and other needs addressed in the district plan would not be completed.

A yes vote is necessary for District 200 to continue providing the kind of quality education which all of the residents of the school district have come to expect and is necessary to attract homeowners and maintain property values.

Taryn Sonntag

Winfield

Tom Paulsen

Wheaton