After public polling, District 214 may scale back potential referendum ask

Survey data shows public support for a potential referendum in Northwest Suburban High School District 214 — but at a much lower level than the district’s potential $900 million ask — while some school board members remain skeptical a tax increase could pass at the ballot box.

Online and in-person questionnaires completed at a public engagement session in recent weeks found a majority of the 1,717 respondents favored spending $400 million on facility upgrades — characterized as the “low” option of three possible funding levels.

It would yield a yearly tax increase of roughly $198 for the owner of a $396,500 house, district officials estimate.

A separate phone survey of 547 people also ranked that option highest.

Nearly 30 members of a community committee convened by the district favored the so-called “medium” funding level, which would pour $600 million into renovations at a $310 annual tax impact. The group is composed of parents, teachers, residents, business owners, elected officials and civic leaders.

The highest funding level envisioned $800 million worth of upgrades at a $421 annual tax impact, though the district’s facility plan contemplates a maximum of $912.5 million in upgrades.

The district’s community engagement consultant that conducted the polling, EO Sullivan, has recommended officials reduce the proposed funding levels for what is considered “medium” and “high” as they prepare to take another round of surveys.

The process formally launched with the hiring of the consultant in June but is expected to ramp up as school board members decide whether to pursue what would be the Arlington Heights-based district’s first referendum in more than five decades.

“We know based on this feedback that top funding level that was tested is not going to work,” Collin Corbett, a strategist with EO Sullivan, told board members Thursday night. “We’re going to have to lower those funding levels as we move forward to this next phase of the process.”

Survey data from phone, online and in-person polls showed projects on infrastructure, mechanicals, and safety, security and accessibility were ranked as the highest priorities. Work to modernize main school building entrances, build three new swimming pools and improve collaborative learning areas were rated lowest.

Corbett also recommended removing the lowest-rated projects from consideration.

Some board members questioned the survey results and whether they reflected public sentiment in the district. Others suggested the upcoming March 17, 2026, election would be too soon for a potential referendum; to get on the ballot, board members would have to take action at their Dec. 11 meeting.

Frank Fiarito said he couldn’t support going out for a referendum without additional community meetings to outline the specific facility needs at each school. He says he’s concerned people may not be receptive to another tax increase.

“We saw firsthand how bad some of our facilities are in certain places. But to me, personally, I saw some of what we saw as being wants and some of it being needs,” said Fiarito, of Mount Prospect. “And we truly do have needs in our district. And whether they were not taken care of 10 years ago, 15 years ago, 25 years ago — that’s water under the bridge now. We have to look to the future and not look at what we didn’t do many years ago.”

The comment triggered a pointed response from Bill Dussling, the board’s longest-tenured member of 27 years.

“We have spent a lot of money over the years — and I’ve been part of that — spending that money to keep this place running,” said Dussling, of Arlington Heights. “So I take great exception to the fact that you’re talking about us not doing our job when you weren’t here. That bothers me. Because I’ve been here and we’ve done our job. And we’ve done our job damn well.”

Superintendent Scott Rowe said the district has spent $196 million on renovations across the district over the last decade.

“We are listening, and the feedback really, really matters,” Rowe said. “We are not committing to a referendum. We are engaged in a conversation with the community for feedback so we can shape our path forward and address the needs of our buildings.”