Troy Schools May Raise Your Property Taxes At Least $211 Per Year, Perhaps A Lot More: What's Next

SHOREWOOD, IL — Paul Schrik may be retiring in more than a year as the superintendent of Troy School District 30-C, but before he departs, he and his administration are considering a significant property tax hike upon the residents of his school district —people who live in Plainfield, Shorewood, Joliet and parts of Channahon.

Troy 30-C is considering placing a limiting rate proposal on the November 3 election ballot to address overcrowding, class size and operating and facility issues, Monday's announcement from the Troy school district stated.

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"No final decisions have been or will be made until the community has the opportunity to provide input. An opinion survey will be sent in the coming weeks and residents are invited and encouraged to attend an upcoming public informational meeting," Monday's announcement read.

Troy's meetings will be this Thursday, April 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, May 5 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

All three meetings will be at the Troy School District Offices at 5800 Theodore Street, Door 10, in Joliet.

The Troy 30-C website is calling the proposed property tax increase a "Modest Tax Impact."

"With long-term debt retired in 2026, the next tax impact would be $.25, equal to $211 per year for a median-value home of $277,600. It has been 20 years since the District last sought voter-approved funding."

A website for Troy indicates that improvements under consideration include: a new pre-kindergarten early learning center to free up elementary classroom space and more early learners into a facility designed to meet their need. Another construction project would be turning the administrative offices into a new multipurpose space at Troy Middle School. There are also plans for a new connection between first floor physical education and second floor academic areas at Troy Middle School to reduce hallway congestion, improve circulation and restore cafeteria seating limited by the required walkway.

The district also includes an explanation on its website answering the question of "What happens if the limiting rate referendum is not pursued or not approved?

The response posted by Schrik and his administrative colleagues is as follows: Increased overcrowding, larger class sizes, continued reliance on makeshift space solutions, ongoing circulation issues, greater pressure on growing programs and student support services, challenges in recruiting and retaining quality teachers and staff.

The Troy school website that explains some of the reasoning behind Schrik's huge property tax increase proposal is called Troy 30 C Future Focus.