DES PLAINES, IL — With a $120.6 million school bond referendum headed to voters Nov. 3, East Maine School District 63 Superintendent Shawn Schleizer submitted a letter to the editor outlining the proposal, its estimated cost to homeowners and opportunities to learn more.
District 63 serves approximately 3,600 students in portions of Des Plaines, Niles, Morton Grove, Glenview and Park Ridge. The proposed bonds would be repaid over 25 years through property taxes, according to the district's referendum information page.
The school board unanimously approved placing the measure on the ballot after reducing the original $163 million proposal by $42.4 million, according to the district.
The district's website distinguishes the bond proposal from its last successful referendum in 2004, when voters approved a tax-rate increase supporting the operating budget. Under the current facilities plan, the recently built Early Learning Center would receive no improvements, while Gemini Middle School, which underwent an expansion and modernization in 2020, would receive targeted updates.
Schleizer's letter follows, as submitted:
As voters consider a $120.6 million bond referendum on the November 3, 2026, ballot, East Maine School District 63 is committed to providing clear, transparent information so every community member can make an informed decision.
The District's seven schools average 59 years old. For decades, major repairs have been made using reserve funds rather than seeking additional voter-approved funding, and no bond referendum has been approved since the 1960s. Today, however, our aging buildings require improvements that exceed what can be reasonably funded through the annual operating budget. Recent safety and facility assessments confirmed that critical heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems are reaching the end of their useful lives.
If approved, the referendum would address the District's most pressing facility needs by improving safety and security, enhancing ADA accessibility, replacing aging infrastructure (electrical, plumbing, and HVAC), addressing overcrowding, and updating learning environments.
The proposal on the ballot reflects community feedback. After residents expressed concerns about the cost of the District's initial plan, we listened and reduced the scope by 26 percent, cutting $42.4 million by scaling back additions and renovations and focusing the proposal on essential priorities. For a home with the District's median value of $350,000, the estimated tax impact of the proposed 25-year bond measure is $26 per month, or $314 per year, beginning in 2028.
Residents who would like to learn more are invited to attend a facility tour at Washington School on October 22 at 6:00 PM or Apollo School on October 27 at 5:00 PM. Additional information, including a tax calculator, FAQs, and the official ballot language, is available at emsd63.org/referendum, by email at proposal@emsd63.org, or by calling (847) 299-1900.
We encourage all residents to review the facts and participate in the election.
Shawn Schleizer, EdD
Superintendent
East Maine School District 63
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