District 99 Improvement Referendum To Appear On March Primaries

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — District 99 officials voted Monday to add a referendum for residents to decide whether to approve a proposed $136.6 million bond for extensive improvements to the village's two high schools. The measure will appear on the 2018 primary ballot in March.

If approved, the referendum is likely to come with a property task increase. Residents who were surveyed overwhelmingly supported the $136.6 million plan over an alternative plan for an $81.6 million budget, Suburban Life reports.

This type of support for a referendum "is not typical," District Superintendent Hank Thiele told Suburban Life, adding that even older residents whose children are not in school, supported the $136.6 million proposal.

Some board members were reluctant to support a measure that would include a tax increase, but in the end, Dan Nichols cast the only vote in opposition.

If the measure is not passed on the March 20 ballot, the school district plans to regroup and return with a new plan.

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