District 86 Approves $10 Million Increase For April Referendum

HINSDALE, IL — The District 86 Board of Education has increased its proposed referendum by $10 million more than previously discussed. At a special board meeting on Jan. 12, the board approved a $139,815,893 referendum to go on the April 2 ballot.

The district said $59,834,741, or 43 percent, is for projects at Hinsdale South and $79,981,242, or 57 percent, is for projects at Hinsdale Central. The $10 million dollar change reflects an increase in approximately $5 million each for Central and South.

According to the district, the $5 million at Central will move the pool to a new location but keep the size the same at 6 lanes wide and 25 yards long. The new pool at South will also be a 6-lane, 25-yard pool. The current location of the Central pool does not allow for expansion in either direction. The current location of the South pool does allow for expansion in length. The $5 million at South would fund renovations to the South auditorium space, adding new lighting and sound systems, among other improvements like an orchestra pit and sound booth.

Board President Bill Carpenter said the $5 million in increased spending for the Central pool doesn't give Central a better or bigger pool than South; it gives Central a pool with the same benefits as South's pool.

Mr. Carpenter continued, “This number changes the spend equally for Central and South and is based on individual needs each school currently has as defined by the 2016 Master Facilities Plan. Including the upgrades to the South auditorium will directly impact the incredibly successful performing arts programming, as well as the everyday academics. Because these improvements will give South all of the equipment it needs, like fully functional lighting and sound on site, the space can be used more often, and that will give the South the opportunity to engage and interact with the community much more frequently. Likewise, the $5 million in increased spend for the Central pool does not give Central a better or bigger pool than South. It simply gives Central a pool that offers the same current benefits as South's pool and leaves both schools with the equal opportunity to change their pools to meet future needs and demands.”

“Today’s unanimous Board vote is for the future of District 86,” Board President Bill Carpenter said in a release. “The purpose of this referendum is to make the necessary fixes and improvements at both of our high schools. Our community expects our schools to deliver excellent, innovative educational programming. To provide the level of excellence our community expects and that this District has built its reputation on, our school facilities need to be fixed and improved so that they are future-ready, so that our teachers and staff can adapt as best practices change to prepare our students for the challenges they face in a highly competitive world economy.”

The April referendum comes after a $166 million referendum was turned down by voters in November. The board of education has also already voted for the elimination of several sports and activities at both high schools to address the budget shortfall.

If the bond measure is approved, there are several projects involving security, classroom renovation and more that would be completed. Some projects would include: replacing the intercom system at both high schools; improved security at entrances and doors for both schools; renovating the pools at both schools; the addition of a girls locker room at Central; renovation of the libraries at both schools; replacing the hot water system at South; and replacing the artifical turf fields at both schools. For a full list of the projects and their costs, you can visit the district website.

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