Dr. Josh Carpenter provided a review of the new District 220 Referendum that seeks to complete the needed enhancements to our school infrastructure to continue to provide the type of education and opportunities that prepare our young people for successful futures.

 

The 2018 Referendum covered the top 25% of an estimated $500-600M prioritized needs of the school.  It touched every facility across 13 sites and impacted 8K students.

To create this new referendum input from community members was solicited.  There was agreement on the needs, but the challenge was made “…can you make it more affordable?”  Plan adjustments were made to take the cost from $75.5M down to $64M.
 
Priorities were set 1) Safety and Security, 2) STEAM Accommodations and Upgrades.  Space planning should allow for areas to evolve and not require major construction changes.  Instruction now requires space for collaboration and more and more hands-on opportunities as the curriculum opens up to more vocational learning.
  
The final proposal also includes a Community Auditorium with the latest space, equipment and capacity that meets performing arts requirements.  The current 1960 auditorium will be repurposed and the new Auditorium will be more readily accessible to the public.
 
As this effort impacts local tax payers, the District is anxious to reach out to the public and present the opportunity and benefits, answer questions and help garner support for the effort.  It has been estimated that the average household will experience a $236 increase in their tax bill, BUT the District will still have one of the lowest tax rates compared to peer Districts (e.g., New Trier, Stevenson, Glenbard).