Extra ‘goodies’ threaten referendum

Prospect Heights District 23 will be asking taxpayers in the district to approve a tax hike referendum on the April1, 2025, ballot to satisfy a state mandate for full-day kindergarten for the 2027-28 school year. Taxpayers will be asked to support a $19.3 million dollar tax hike that would add approximately $349 to the real estate tax bill for a home valued at $350,000.

The 21,050 square foot building addition would house six new classrooms, in addition to 11 new offices, an occupational therapy/physical therapy room, a FEMA shelter, renovations to the library and the relocation of the main office and while we are at it - a new parking lot.

The superintendent is putting the referendum in jeopardy of failure again due to the addition of these other wish list items.

The same was true for the April 2023 referendum ($20 million) and the March 2024 referendum ($25.5 million), which included other additions beyond what the state mandate called for. The ongoing district threat is always a cut in programs and staff.

It is always more difficult to look at internal expenses and make tough decisions regarding cost reduction measures. Try looking at what the district is paying each year for substitute teachers. The easy solution is to ask for more taxpayer money.

So, my question to the district is this - How many square feet and at what cost would the taxpayer bill be for the six additional classrooms? If the district wants these other goodies, they should be addressed on a separate referendum.

Martin Marcella

Prospect Heights