During these economically challenging times when school referendum proposals often are defeated, three suburban districts in the Chicago area persuaded enough residents to vote yes in last week’s elections.
Here’s a look at what happened — and how they did it.
Oak Park
Supporters of School District 97’s referendum measure say they spent about $10,000 to print fliers, hold public forums and fill phone banks.
The idea, supporters say, was to let voters know what was at stake.
“Our strategy was to reach out to as many people as possible,” said Jassen Strokosch, co-chair of the Committee to Support Our Schools.
The group worked with a network of about 500 volunteers.
The efforts paid off when voters approved a 3.8 percent property tax increase expected to raise an additional $7 million in annual revenue.
The money will allow the district to avoid laying off nearly 90 employees or cut arts and sports programs, officials said.
After Tuesday’s election, Board President Peter Traczyk thanked voters, saying he expected them to make a long-term investment in the schools.
The district, he said, still faces a tough road in managing its finances.
Mundelein
High School District 120 didn’t ask for a tax increase to raise $10 million for school improvements.
Instead, the district sought voter approval to issue new bonds to finance the work.
By extending the school’s debt limit — in effect borrowing more money — the district can keep its current debt service tax rate.
Officials expect to pay back the loan over the next seven years.
The money will be used for a long-overdue face-lift for parts of the campus, including its swimming pool, track and football field.
“We’re very happy for the Mundelein community and very appreciative that the community understood the facility needs,” Superintendent Jody Ware said.
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Ware said the district expects to make roof repairs this year and possibly even start updating some bathrooms.
Wilmette
Supporters of a property tax increase for School District 39 used the threat of decreased property values as they tried to sell the idea to voters.
As dozens of teachers faced layoffs to close a projected $6.4 million deficit, supporters like Marin Gjaja argued that property values would fall if the quality of schools dropped.
“People will say, ‘Why would I want to go to Wilmette when I could go to (the other New Trier High School feeder districts) and get a better education?'” said Gjaja, who has children in district schools.
The rate hike equates to $696 in additional taxes for a resident with a $12,000 tax bill, according to estimates from school district officials.
Supt. Ray Lechner said he was grateful for the outcome.
The district’s high test scores, Lechner said, are directly tied to the work of support staff, many of whom would have been laid off had the referendum proposal failed.
“It will have an impact on test scores,” Lechner said. “It has to.”