Let vote show strength of school district

Since 2002, every other Kane County school district has passed one to two facilities referendums. St. Charles District 303 has passed zero, and its kids are suffering for it: leaking roofs, non-ADA-accessible buildings, outdated alarm systems. The list goes on.

“We already pay so much in property taxes!” But the fact is that 83% of those yearly dollars go toward the amazing teachers and supports that students see daily. Only about 2% of the annual budget can go toward capital improvements — the rest goes toward keeping schools open with high-quality staff.

Household or business budgets usually maintain only one building; District 303 has 21 buildings to maintain. Two percent of an annual school budget is not enough to perpetually maintain 21 buildings. Referendums are the norm, not the exception. Simply saying, “No new taxes!” doesn’t fix any of the problems and only kicks the can down the road.

Ultimately, this referendum is about the future of St. Charles. An influx of young families have moved here over the past decade; a “no” vote paves the way for declining property values and an economy abandoned by families that could otherwise help it prosper. A “no” vote sends the message that this community does not wish to invest in its schools.

But a “yes” vote protects our $1.175 billion community facilities investment for our kids and the future of St. Charles.

A community is only as strong as its schools. And this referendum will show how strong St. Charles will be moving forward.

Alice Froemling, South Elgin