Letter to the Editor from former D181 BOE Member

On March 15, the key local issue is D181's $65 million ($90 million with bond interest) referendum to build a new HMS. Whether you are voting NO (as I am) or Yes, it is critical that you cast a vote.

Voting NO will send a message to the D181 administration and BOE that the process, price tag and current proposed project is flawed, filled with millions of dollars in WANTS not NEEDS. Until these two authorities take the time to fully vet all renovation/repair and rebuilding options in the broader context of the future fiscal health of the district, taxpayers should refuse to authorize spending $90 million.

If pension liabilities are shifted to D181, SPED funding cut or property taxes frozen by the Illinois legislature, D181 will not be able to maintain a balanced budget. Expenditures will outpace revenues. Tough choices will have to be made. Programs and teachers levels may need to be cut. Class sizes may have to increase. Voters may be asked to approve an Operational Referendum to increase tax revenues above those that can be collected under the Tax Cap laws.

D181 officials must be fiscally responsible and have these hard conversations ahead of ANY referendum, let alone one that will cost taxpayers $90 million and do NOTHING to protect our existing teacher levels and academic program offerings. So on March 15, please join me in voting NO and sending that message to the D181 administration and BOE.

Respectfully submitted,

Yvonne Mayer, D181 Taxpayer and former BOE Member