East Maine District 63 voters approve $123 million facilities plan

Voters in the Des Plaines area’s East Maine School District 63 have approved a tax-rate increase to cover nearly all of a roughly $123 million facilities improvement plan.

About 67% of voters backed the proposal, unofficial results indicate. It calls for building additions, safety and security upgrades, infrastructure improvements and other projects.

The plan calls for the district to borrow $120.6 million for the work. An additional $2 million in funding would come from district reserves.

The owner of a typical house valued at $350,000 will see property taxes to the district increase by $314 the first year, officials have said. A tax calculator is available for District 63 residents at bit.ly/4rQXUEn.

District 63 includes parts of Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Glenview, Niles and Morton Grove. The district has five elementary schools, one middle school, a preschool and a family resource center.

Under the facilities plan, all buildings but the preschool will receive upgrades. The elementary schools will get the most attention. Additions at Apollo Elementary School near Des Plaines, Washington School in Glenview, Emma Melzer School in Morton Grove and Mark Twain Elementary in Niles.

“Today’s students and future generations will benefit greatly from the community’s commitment to maintaining safe, modern, and effective schools,” Superintendent Shawn Schleizer said in a news release. “We recognize the trust voters have placed in our district and thank our community for their support and investment in our students and schools.”

For more information on the plan, visit emsd63.org/referendum.

rlissau@dailyherald.com