D112 Plan Offers Less Bang for the Buck: Letter

The following letter was written and submitted by Robert Limoges.

My wife and I have lived in Highland Park for 35 years. Our two sons attended K through 12 in Highland Park schools. I understand that North Shore School District 112 must adjust to declining enrollment. However, for the reasons below, I urge a NO vote on the $198 million referendum. According to the February 25 Highland Park News, there are 4,258 students in District 112. The Statistical Atlas lists District 112 population at 35,750 persons in 13,462 households. If $198 million is spent, that is $46,500 per student, $14,708 per household, or $5,538 per resident. Expense at that level needs more detailed justification than has been widely publicized. Consider 2 libraries featured in the February, 2016 Illinois Library Association Reporter. Aurora built a 97,000 square foot facility for $28 million – $290 per square foot. It is a beautiful facility, with artistic touches. In contrast, the new Chinatown Branch Library in Chicago is very novel, with lots of custom features. It cost $19.1 million for only 16,000 square feet -- $1,190 per square foot. We need to know which kind of building we are buying.This bond issue will be paid over 30 years, with payments increasing with time. That means the interest will be much higher than with a flat payment rate. We will be paying vastly more than $198 million, due to interest. In 10-15 years the student population will probably have changed again, requiring another solution. Under the board’s current plan, we will still owe most of the principal on this loan, which limits our ability to borrow more. We need a plan that lets us adjust to future changes.