Lemont Voters To Decide On District 113A Referendum

LEMONT, IL — In the Nov. 3 General Election, voters in Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A boundaries will decide on a referendum asking to increase the District's tax limiting rate.

Voters will vote "yes" or "no" to the referendum. District 113A serves families in all or parts of Lemont, Woodridge, Downers Grove and Palos Park.

The question that Lemont area voters will see on the ballot is:

"Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District Number 113A, Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.360000% above the limiting rate for levy year 2024 for the purpose of providing educational programming and instruction and operating, maintaining, improving and constructing school buildings and facilities and for other school purposes, and be equal to 2.320037% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2026?"

Referendum To Fund Expansions At All Four Schools

According to the District, the referendum is intended to address enrollment growth that has exceeded expectations.

"Actual growth last year was more than 500 students over what was projected in 2017 and exceeded what was anticipated from the 2024 study," the District website states.

The District said that the student growth has been driven by "successful schools and community, turnover of existing homes to young families, migration from private and parochial schools, and new housing developments."

In the past three years alone, 166 students have enrolled in District 113A from private and parochial schools. Meanwhile, established neighborhoods continue to attract younger families, and hundreds of residential units are approved and have yet to be constructed, Superintendent Courtney Orzel shared.

If approved, the rate increase would fund expansions at each of the District's four campuses, including seven new rooms at Oakwood, seven new rooms at River Valley, 14 new rooms at Central and 12 new rooms at Old Quarry.

The limited rate tax increase would provide $6 million annually in additional revenues, and the estimated impact to the average homeowner would be $480 to $550 per year, according to the District.

If The Referendum Fails

Regardless of the referendum's outcome, the District will continue educating students. However, without additional space, continued enrollment growth would create several challenges, Orzel shared.

Larger class sizes, staff retention concerns, increased crowding, fewer dedicated instructional spaces, greater challenges supporting students, and potential impact on property values are all concerns cited by the District, if the referendum fails.

"Our buildings do not make District 113A exceptional. Our people do. But our people need the space and resources to continue providing the experiences that make families choose our schools," Orzel said.

The District would continue to evaluate alternatives, including considering modular classrooms. However, such units are costly, and have safety and security considerations, the District said.

"If the referendum does not pass, enrollment growth will not disappear. The District would need to manage that growth within its existing facilities and financial resources," Orzel said.

D113A Referendum Q&A: Superintendent Talks Rate Increase, Plans For 40 New Classrooms

District 113A's Growth, Success And The Challenges Ahead: D113A Superintendent

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.