District 300 wants tax hike to fund $355M in school improvements, new training center

Community Unit District 300, which encompasses all or parts of West Dundee, Carpentersville, Sleepy Hollow and a half dozen other towns, will seek voter approval of a $355.5 million bond referendum in the November election.

The District 300 school board this week voted 7-0 to place the question on the Nov. 3 ballot. Bonds sold would fund more than 20 projects, including classroom additions to overcrowded schools, repairs to aging buildings, safety updates, entrance security improvements, and a new career and technical education center for hands-on training.

If the measure is approved, the owner of a $400,000 home would see a property tax bill increase of about $8.41 per month, or $101 per year, a news release on the initiative said.

“The referendum question follows a multiyear master facility plan process that examined the condition and capacity of all 27 district schools,” the release said.

“On average, District 300 schools are a half-century old, and roofs, windows, electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems need repairs and updates. Many schools are already overcrowded, and an additional 4,000 students are expected over the next 10 years.”

The district solicited residents’ input through public engagement workshops and surveys before officials decided to proceed with the referendum, the release said.

Speaking at Tuesday’s board meeting, District 300 Superintendent Martina Smith said part of the need to move now stems from the district’s expectation that enrollment will be growing by 4,000 or more students over the next 10 years.

“We have challenges and opportunities ahead of us as it pertains to increasing student enrollment, aging buildings and infrastructure, and supporting students and staff as education changes,” Smith said. “The kids are coming.”

The average age of district buildings is 50 to 70 years, she said.

“We want to make sure across all of our schools that we are keeping up with how they are aging,” she said. “Our students are at the heart of every project in this plan.”

Sleepy Hollow resident Mike Tennis urged the board to consider scaling back the size of the plan and questioned the need for a career and technical education center given that it will likely duplicate programs that will be offered at Elgin Community College’s new Manufacturing and Technology Center.

Instead of spending money to create its own center, the district should partner with the college, said Tennis, who described himself as a tax watchdog.

Also, District 300 should delay additions to schools that are underutilized, he said.

“Recognize (that) taxpayers are also obligated to pay more as EAV (equalized assessed valuation) normally increases,” Tennis said. “Reschedule the referendum. Ask for less later.”

Because the Algonquin-based district’s needs are spread out across four counties, the referendum will need to be on ballots in Kane, McHenry, Cook, and DeKalb counties, the release said.

More information on the referendum is to be posted in the future on the district’s d300.org website, including project details, cost estimates and frequently asked questions, officials said.

• Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.