The ‘easy fix’ to pass repair costs on to taxpayers

You will be asked on the November ballot to approve a $295 million referendum to improve facilities across the district. So, for a home valued at $500,000 you will be required to pay an additional $218 per year. This is according to a flyer received in the mail.

The categories designated for the work include safety, infrastructure, mechanical and classroom renovations. Many of the fixes that they are requesting monies for are for normal preventive maintenance and upgrades that we already pay for out of our own pockets for our own homes. This would include replacements of roof, HVAC, windows, door hardware, electrical systems, pavement repairs and plumbing. Due to their lack of budgeting for these items every year, they are asking homeowners to cover the cost of these repairs.

The easy fix is to pass these costs on to the taxpayers in the form of a referendum. District 214 already gets 27% of my ever-increasing real estate tax bill.

There are monies to be found for infrastructure upgrades. An example of this is the little know perk called pension pickup. This is where the district pays for all or a portion of the 9% employee mandatory retirement contributions. That means the teacher/administrator not only receives their full salary but also the 9% that they should be paying toward their own retirement. This benefit is another cost passed on to the taxpayers. I don't know about you, but I funded my own retirement out of my salary.

Yes, we want excellent schools and higher home values in the district, but the lack of fiscal responsibility is evident by what is asked for in the referendum. I would ask everyone consider this carefully when you go the polls in November.

Martin Marcella

Prospect Heights