Mundelein Dist.120 board: Keep project small

Although they'd love to have $82 million to improve the school, a majority of Mundelein High School board members on Tuesday said they would favor asking voters to approve a more modest construction plan in 2011.

The proposal the majority backed would raise $10 million by extending the district's debt, and it would not result in a tax-rate increase.

The $82 million plan would raise taxes, a move that isn't politically feasible in this economy, board President Edwin Specht and others said.

“I don't think an $82 million building-bond (plan) will fly,” Specht said.

The board took no formal action on the proposal Tuesday. Rather, their consensus will prompt school administrators and attorneys to craft a question for the April 5 ballot.

The school board could vote Jan. 14 to put such a question on the ballot. The state deadline to do so is Jan. 18.

Tuesday's debate came about two years after a community group recommended officials spend about $80 million on the construction of new classrooms and science labs, a cafeteria expansion and many other improvements.

Swimming pool repairs, bathroom renovations, window replacements and the installation of an artificial-turf football field were among the options discussed Tuesday.

If voters eventually approve the $10 million plan, only projects deemed critical will be addressed, officials have said.

Vicky Kennedy was the only board member who said the panel should put the $82 million plan before voters. The community group already has made the recommendation and is behind it, she said, and there's not enough time to develop a new plan and to persuade voters to promote and back it.

Board member Karen Havlik was among those who said asking voters to raise their taxes now isn't a good idea.

“I think we have to be reasonable,” she said.