District 207 voters to weigh in on $195 million bond issue

Maine Township High School District 207 voters will decide in November whether the district can issue $195 million in bonds.

School board members voted 6-1 this week to put a referendum question on the ballot. If passed, the borrowed money plus cash in the district's reserve account will help pay for $240.7 million in upgrades to its three high schools.

The proposed improvements include creating modern learning spaces, adding stronger security at school entrances, updating cafeterias and making improvements to outdated infrastructure such as plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems.

Maine West High School would get a new field house to match the facilities at Maine East and Maine South high schools.

Superintendent Ken Wallace said delaying the upgrades will only result in higher repair and maintenance costs in the future.

"There's no better time than now," Wallace said.

Board member Sean Sullivan cast the lone vote against putting the request on the ballot. Sullivan said he doesn't disagree with the proposed improvements but that the cost is too much.

"I don't think it's prudent," Sullivan said.

The tax impact on residents would depend on where they live.

In Des Plaines, the owner of a $245,000 home, which is median value in the city, would pay $223 more annually. A Park Ridge resident with a median home value of $384,000 would pay an extra $350.

For more information, visit https://maine207.org/overview/.