Back District 89 tax increase proposal

Back District 89 tax increase proposal

I am writing in support of the Glen Ellyn Elementary District 89 referendum question that will appear on the Feb. 5 ballot.

District 89 is seeking to issue bonds in the amount of $24.8 million to renovate, repair, equip and improve district buildings; improve the safety and security of our schools; remove asbestos and upgrade the HVAC systems, as well as improve the much needed technology infrastructure in all of the schools.

The District 89 Board of Education and administration has a demonstrated track record of providing the highest quality of education to the students in our community in a fiscally responsible manner. In fact, District 89 students score in the top 5 percent on state tests, while the operational cost per pupil is only slightly over 6 percent above the state average.

District 89 channels the majority of its budget dollars directly to the classroom where they can have the most impact on student learning.

The question that District 89 is asking will not raise the tax rate for homeowners. Passage of this referendum will result in maintaining the current tax rate at 21 cents which was previously approved by taxpayers in 1997.

It is also anticipated that even with the successful passage of the referendum, the overall tax rate for the district is expected to decline every year because of the tax cap.

The proposal is not frivolous. The needs are real. If the referendum fails, the needs remain and will still have to be addressed. Delays in the projects will mean increased costs.

For more information, please visit www.ccsd89.org. Please join me in protecting the schools and students in District 89 by voting yes on Feb. 5.

Shirley Bloom

former District 89 board president

Glen Ellyn