Diamond Lake schools to get more money

Summer school and a variety of programs credited with boosting student performance in Diamond Lake District 76 will remain intact following a very close vote Tuesday.

With 11 of 11 precincts reporting and the early voting in, voters favored an increase in the education fund rate 1,489 to 1,444, according to unofficial results. The measure would raise $1.4 million to offset a deficit and forgo cuts to programs, extracurricular activities and staff.

Despite the approval, tax bills will not increase because of a corresponding drop in the bond and interest rate as debt is retired. That information could not be included on the ballot but parent volunteers waged a months-long campaign to educate voters on what was described as a "tax swap" that would not affect their bills.

That effort was enough to overcome a late round of automated calls telling would-be voters their bills would increase by $146 or more per year. Referendum supporters said that told only half the story.