Early-bird tax increase talk in Mundelein

Mundelein High School District 120 will discuss how to pass a tax-hike referendum in difficult financial times Saturday morning.

Elected board members have set the session for 8 a.m. at the high school's Mundelein Room, 1350 W. Hawley St. A portion of the meeting has been designated for public comment.

Officials have said the school needs upgrades and repairs.

In August 2008, Mundelein High board members agreed not to put a tax-hike request on the November ballot that year.

Before that decision, a community group studying the campus' needs recommended a nearly $80 million expansion and improvement initiative. Suggestions included an expanded cafeteria and new construction of an auditorium, classrooms and science laboratory.

Raymond Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co. will be the meeting's featured speaker. The 52-year-old firm specializes in securing borrowed money for public projects through bond sales.

One of the firm's services is helping publicly funded agencies through a tax-increase referendum effort, in part by creating an election organization in advance of the vote.

Coyne said a District 120 tax hike can be passed during this poor economy if officials clearly outline the building's problems and list possible solutions. He also said it can't be assumed taxpayers know the district's problems.

"If your people registered (to vote) and you alert them to the benefits of the referendum, you can get it passed," Coyne said Friday.

Coyne said school officials would have to connect with older residents who don't have high school-age children. He said district representatives would have to demonstrate how the needs for today's schools have changed.