Ahead of possible referendum, District 214 hosts inaugural ‘State of the District’

Normally reserved for presidents, governors and mayors, Northwest Suburban High School District 214 leaders on Thursday held an inaugural State of the District event of their own, in what may have been an early marketing pitch for the district’s first potential referendum in more than five decades.

Guests of the invite-only noontime luncheon at the district’s Forest View Educational Center headquarters in Arlington Heights were a who’s who of the Northwest suburbs, including a slew of local and state politicians. Attendees included the mayors of Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect and Buffalo Grove, and Democratic state Rep. Nicolle Grasse, Democratic state Sen. Mark Walker, and Republican state Sen. Seth Lewis.

They all listened to Superintendent Scott Rowe’s presentation covering the gamut: launch of a five-year strategic plan; improvements in student attendance and discipline; partnerships with seven elementary feeder districts; and new academic dual-credit programs.

But Rowe concluded his hourlong address with what may come next.

District consultants later this month will reveal results of the latest polling and surveys that gauged public appetite for a tax hike to fund building updates. Their presentation is scheduled for the June 25 school board meeting, Rowe said.

The public engagement asked respondents to rank their willingness to support a ballot question at three different levels: $300 million, $375 million and $450 million.

For the owner of a $396,500 house, that would translate to a yearly tax increase of roughly $190, $238 and $285, respectively.

Initial questionnaires last fall found tepid support for the district’s highest priced plan: $800 million worth of upgrades at a $421 annual tax impact.

“What I hope that everyone that has engaged in this process sees that we’ve been responsive, that we’ve listened, our priorities have been reflected in the feedback they’ve given us in the surveys, and we have altered our approach along the lines of what they’ve asked us to do,” Rowe said.

“While finances are of course on everyone’s mind — affordability is the number one thing right now — the needs of our aging schools still remain,” he added.

School board members will have until August to decide whether to place a tax increase question on the Nov. 3 ballot.

“It is not something that is a sure thing,” Rowe said. “The conversations are ongoing.”

In the meantime, the district plans to spend some $25 million on capital projects this summer, largely from reserves. That includes $8 million to replace running tracks, synthetic field turf and stadium lights at Buffalo Grove, John Hersey and Prospect high schools, in addition to scoreboards at the latter two schools.

At Wheeling High School, a $7.2 million renovation includes replacement of administrative and student services offices. Officials will spend $2 million at Rolling Meadows High School for repair of the front plaza.

Financial advisers recent told the district not to dip further into the $170 million reserve fund, until Cook County’s new property tax disbursement system is in working order, Rowe said. Snafus with the massive countywide technology overhaul resulted in delayed property tax bills and payments to local governments.

School board President Frank Fiarito pointed to the property tax billing issue as one of Rowe’s major tasks since his hiring three years ago.

“He’s led our district through some storms,” Fiarito said.