Darien's Center Cass Going Way Of East St. Louis?

DARIEN, IL – Center Cass School District 66 suggested it may end up following the path of poor districts such as East St. Louis and North Chicago.

In the Nov. 8 election, Center Cass voters are set to decide whether to increase the district's part of the property tax bill by nearly 20 percent.

If the referendum fails, the district warned in a recent newsletter, it would drop to the state's lowest rating.

That will trigger the involvement of the Illinois State Board of Education in every aspect of Center Cass, according to the district. This includes raising taxes without voter input.

This has happened in two other districts in the last decade – East St. Louis and North Chicago, the district said.

"Relinquishing local control of our schools and allowing the State to control revenue and expenses is not viewed favorably by school employees, community residents or prospective residents," the newsletter said.

Center Cass residents are relatively prosperous compared to those in most Illinois districts.

According to the Illinois Report Card, 8 percent of Center Cass students are in low-income families. That compares to 100 percent in East St. Louis and 81 percent in North Chicago.

In the cases of East St. Louis and North Chicago, the state created oversight panels to make spending and taxing decisions.

Such a move is exceedingly rare in Illinois, given the state has more than 850 school districts.

In its newsletter, Center Cass discussed other possible effects of a failed referendum.

The following are passages from the newsletter about the situations in East St. Louis and North Chicago: