Tax Increase Before Cass D-63 Voters

DARIEN, IL – Some Darien-area residents may get confused over the property tax increase measures on the ballot next Tuesday.

Center Cass School District 66 is asking voters to decide on a nearly 20 percent hike of the district's part of the tax bill, which is generating much debate. Meanwhile, its neighbor to the east, Cass School District 63, is putting forward a 9 percent hike to its portion, which amounts to a 4 percent increase in the aggregate tax rate for district residents.

Cass District 63 is the smallest of Darien's three elementary school districts, with about 800 students. That compares to 1,100 in Center Cass and 1,300 in Darien District 61.

According to Cass District 63, a property taxpayer would pay $151 more a year for a $200,000 house if the referendum passes. That works out to $235 more for a $300,000 house.

With the money, the district plans to go into debt by $12.8 million to address building needs and refund an existing bond. The proceeds cannot be used for salaries, benefits, programs or technology.

The money would pay for enhancing security systems and converting heating and air conditioning systems to geothermal. The current systems at the district's two schools, Concord Elementary and Cass Junior High, have lasted beyond their life expectancy, according to the district.

"After much research, we chose geothermal because it has the lowest life cycle cost and will result in significant savings," the school board said in a letter. "This was a business decision."

The board said the district could not cover the cost with its existing money. The cost nearly equals the entire district budget and far exceeds the $1.4 million maintenance budget, the board said.

In an email to Patch, District 63 Superintendent Mark Cross said the district has the lowest operating expenditure per student of 10 area elementary districts and the second lowest of 29 districts in DuPage County.

The district average of $13,872 per student is about 15 percent lower than the area average and roughly 10 percent below the state average, despite serving students in the state's second-wealthiest county, Cross said.

The school board includes more information about the referendum on a frequently-asked-questions page.

In June, 56 percent of Cass District 63 voters rejected a similar tax increase. In Center Cass, 60 percent opposed a tax hike. It, too, is going back to voters Tuesday.