Center Cass Tax Hike Slightly Ahead In Vote Count

DARIEN, IL – The property tax increase in Center Cass School District 66 was nine votes ahead as of Friday morning, according to unofficial results.

The returns showed that 2,904 voted in favor of the nearly 20 percent increase in the district's part of the property tax bill, while 2,895 were against it.

When vote counting stopped Tuesday night, the tax increase was down by nine votes.

Mail-in ballots could come in for weeks. They must be postmarked by Election Day, which was Tuesday.

The debate over the tax increase has continued on social media since the election.

On NextDoor, board member Brian Liedtke said "selfish tendencies" existed among those who voted against the tax hike.

Other tax increase supporters accused Patch of misleading the public with its stories about the issue. They also criticized Darien Alderman Eric Gustafson, a tax hike opponent.

In June, 60 percent of Center Cass voters rejected a tax hike of nearly 25 percent.

In neighboring Cass School District 63, a bare majority of voters approved a smaller tax increase in Tuesday's election. According to unofficial returns, 1,733 supported the measure, while 1,677 opposed it. That's a difference of 66 votes.

Voters in Cass District 63 voted down a similar referendum in June.

Center Cass contends it is in financial trouble. It says it lacks the money to get through a full school year.

The district has already eliminated some non-teaching positions and shortened the school day, but warns it must lay off teachers if the referendum fails.

Also, in a recent newsletter, the district said its financial situation could become like that of the East St. Louis district, which has a 100 percent low-income rate among students.

With East St. Louis, the state set up an oversight panel to handle the district's finances. Such a panel, the district warned, holds the power to cut spending and increase taxes.

The tax increase's advocates formed the Save Center Cass School District 66 committee, which has raised about $100,000, nearly all of which has come from the local teachers union.

It is responsible for mailers informing voters of the cuts it expects if the referendum fails. The flyers also assert that school buildings have fire alarm issues and need security upgrades.

The opposition has not been as organized, although it started a Facebook page and put up yard signs.

Perhaps the most high-profile opponent is Darien Alderman Eric Gustafson. He said he feared the impact on those with fixed incomes, particularly senior citizens.

He also has asked officials to consider the consolidation of local school districts. Combined, Center Cass, Cass District 63 and Darien District 61 have about 3,200 students. That's hundreds fewer than Hinsdale District 181.