Voters in DuPage and Kane Counties faced more than a dozen referendum questions seeking permission to spend more than $300 million to rehab aging schools and build new ones. Another half dozen park and library district referendum issues sought tax increases.
As early returns rolled in, many of the referendum proposals were barely squeaking by, except in Elmhurst School District 205, where voters overwhelmingly were supporting a $77 million bond issue.
One of the most highly contentious ballot issues–a non-binding $15 million referendum question to build an aquatic center in Downers Grove–was running a near 50 percent split.
Most of the $300 million was targeted for schools. All told, DuPage and Kane County residents were asked to support the building of eight schools and the renovation of 65 others. In Villa Park District 45, voters were asked to support a 35-cent tax increase in the education fund.
Perhaps nowhere was the need more obvious than at York Community High School, where district officials asked for $77 million. With half the precincts counted, the proposal was passing by a 3-1 ratio.
“We are elated and quite surprised that the community supported it at this high a level,” said Jim Ruprecht, who headed the citizens referendum committee. “We are so thankful that the community took the time to get informed, and they obviously recognized the relationship between the quality of the schools and the quality of the community.”
About $70 million would be used for York, and the rest would go toward renovations at the district’s 12 elementary schools. If the measure passes, the district also will be eligible for a $14 million state construction grant.
York was built during the 1920s, and officials say a massive face-lift is needed to keep pace with technology and to upgrade academic programs. The sprawling complex has outdated wiring that is inadequate for computer use. Science labs are 50 years old and woefully inadequate. Roofs are leaking, and some windows are in such bad shape they do not open or close.
In Elgin-based School District 46, early unofficial returns showed voters supporting a $200 million referendum proposal. With about one-third the precincts counted, voters were supporting the issue by a 2-1 ratio.
District 46, one of the fastest-growing in the area, sought $200 million to build eight schools, expand 18 schools and upgrade 32 others. If the proposal passed, the district would be eligible for a $45 million state grant. District 46, which draws students from DuPage, Kane and Cook Counties, has an enrollment of 36,575, of which about 9,000 live in DuPage. It is the second-largest school district in the state, after the Chicago Public Schools.
Hinsdale Elementary School District 181 asked voters to approve a $6.3 million measure that would pay for expanding The Lane Elementary School. With half the precincts in, voters were supporting it by a 3-2 ratio.
The 43-year-old school has seen its population swell 72 percent during the last seven years. It is the district’s smallest school in terms of space, but it eventually will have the second-largest enrollment. Already 50 pupils attend classes in mobile classrooms, and storage closets serve as classrooms inside the main building.
Gower Elementary School District 62 in Burr Ridge asked voters to support a $6.5 million plan to repair and upgrade Gower Middle and Gower West Schools. The money would help keep class sizes small and pay for new roofs, heating systems and an intercom. With eight of 11 precincts reporting, the measure was passing by a 3-2 ratio.
In Villa Park/Lombard School District 45, officials hope a successful 35-cent tax hike will help solve their financial woes, which includes a projected $1.3 million deficit. With 34 of 39 precincts reporting, 55 percent of voters favored the issue.
In Downers Grove, residents were asked whether they want the Park District to proceed with a planned $15 million aquatic center on about 8.5 acres along Belmont Road near Grant Street. The Park Board unanimously approved the plan in September, but residents forced the non-binding issue to a vote.