Anti-Tax Hike Group Forms In Center Cass

DARIEN, IL – Two groups are squaring off over a proposed property tax increase in Center Cass School District 66.

Save Center Cass School District 66 has been around since March, receiving tens of thousands of dollars in teachers union donations. It backs the nearly 20 percent hike in the district's part of the property tax bill. Voters decide Nov. 8.

Now, an opposition group has emerged. It is called Citizens Acting for Responsible Education. Its members have put out a flyer and bought yard signs.

Resident Chet Szerlag is among the members. In an email, he said the group is informally organized and not seeking donations.

He said the group has spent $500 on yard signs. Under state law, the group must file a report with the state Board of Elections once it spends or raises $5,000 within a year.

The flyer, Szerlag said, was designed and printed by one of its members free of charge.

The group also has a Facebook page.

Save Center Cass contends the school district needs more money to reverse cuts made to programs. The district also shortened the school day as a budget-cutting measure.

As it is, the district says, it lacks the money to continue for a full school year at current levels. Officials warn of more layoffs if the referendum fails.

The opposition group, however, questions that narrative.

Resident Sam Armat’s post on the referendum appeared on the group's Facebook page about data that the state released Thursday about districts.

He noted the average class size in 2022 was 20.6 in Center Cass, which is the lowest in six years, except 2021, when it was 16.6.

He said the district's schools are rated "commendable," which is the second best of the state's four categories.

Armato also noted the state's indicator that the district is funded at 96 percent of adequacy.

The district, however, warns that its finances are so troubled that it may go the way of the East St. Louis district.