District 99 Bond Issue Up For Vote On Tuesday

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — On Tuesday's primary ballot, Community School District 99 is seeking approval for a $136.6 million bond to fund repairs and improvements to Downers Grove North and South. The Master Facility Plan includes improvements to school security, modernized learning spaces, and increased accessibility for students and staff with disabilities.

If the bond issue is approved, homeowners will see an increase in their property taxes starting in 2019. A home valued at $250,000 would be subject to an annual increase in property taxes of approximately $53.36, according to the district.

The district's website now has a tax calculator so homeowners can see roughly how much their property taxes will increase if the Master Facility Plan is approved.

District 99 began looking at ways to make improvements to both high schools after identifying the facilities as a "weakness" in their overall plan. The choice to put the proposal on the ballot as a referendum came after several community discussions, building tours, and presentations.

The district also conducted a phone and mail survey of community members and many residents spoke out in support of the proposal. In the mail survey, 53% of those surveyed were in favor of the $136.6 million plan, according to district records.

Here's how the question will appear on the March 20 ballot:

"Shall the Board of Education of Community High School District Number 99, DuPage County, Illinois, improve the sites of, build and equip additions to and alter, repair and equip existing buildings, build and equip outdoor facilities and enclosed structures, said projects including but not limited to constructing security improvements, increasing accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act, enclosing all or a portion of the outdoor courtyards to increase indoor learning spaces, renovating classrooms, science labs, vocational labs and learning spaces and completing the installation of air conditioning in all classrooms, and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $136,600,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?"

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