D113A Board Approves Referendum Question For November Ballot

LEMONT, IL — At its Monday meeting, the District 113A Board of Education approved a referendum question for the Nov. 3 ballot. The referendum will ask voters to approve a 29 cent operating rate increase, but voters' property taxes would not increase, according to a release from the district.

Since the district is paying off some of its debt, even if the referendum is successful, taxpayers would see a net decrease of about 6.8 percent on the district's portion of their property tax bill, the district website states. If the operating rate is increased, the district would have an additional $3.5 million in revenue on a yearly basis.

If approved, the funds would allow the district to reopen Central School, add full-day kindergarten, reduce class sizes and add teachers and staff. According to a release, the district would also purchase important classroom and curricular materials, enhance student security and safety and provide additional student support services, including social workers, guidance counselors and psychologists.

The board approved the following question, which will be seen on the ballot in November:

"Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A, Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.290% above the limiting rate for school purposes for levy year 2019 and be equal to 2.124% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2020?"

“This referendum comes at an important time for our school district,” Superintendent Anthony McConnell said in a release. “District 113A is growing, and we must be able to manage that growth responsibly. With increased enrollment comes overcrowding, a lack of space and other logistical challenges. The board is presenting this referendum to the community as a way to address these challenges in a fiscally responsible way, giving our schools the resources they need to manage our recent growth.”