'Yes' Votes Dominate Oswego District 308 $317M Referendum: Unofficial Election Results

OSWEGO, IL — Oswego Community Unit School District 308 is poised to receive $317 million for repairs across its 22 buildings following a successful referendum in Tuesday's general election, according to unofficial totals from the Kendall County Clerk's Office.

Voters took to the polls to vote "yes" or "no" on the referendum question, which the Board of Education voted Aug. 10 to add to the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

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The polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, here is a look at unofficial tallies from the Will and Kendall County clerk's offices:

• Yes: 18,493 votes
• No: 10,135 votes

"Thank you, Oswego, Montgomery, Aurora, Plainfield, Joliet, and Yorkville," Superintendent Andalib Khelghati said in a statement. "We are grateful for the community's support in passing this referendum. It means a lot knowing we are now able to refresh our spaces with new flooring, prevent further water damage in classrooms, and most importantly, make sure we have the technology needed to ensure our students and staff remain safe."

The referendum stemmed from an issued that resulted from "decades of deferred maintenance and aging building systems," the district said.

RELATED: D308 Referendum Seeks $317M For District-Wide Building Upgrades

A recent districtwide facility assessment found many of the district's 22 buildings in fair or poor condition. Many systems, including roofing and HVAC units, haven't been replaced since schools were originally constructed 20 to 25 years ago, according to Chief Communications Officer Theresa Komitas.

With funding secured, the money will be used in three phases over several years to make the following upgrades:

• The installation of secure entryways, access controls, intrusion detection systems and enhanced cameras
• Infrastructure repairs to roofing, mechanical, plumbing and HVAC systems
• Science lab improvements
• Expansions to shared cafeteria and gym spaces
• Improvements to provide enhanced energy efficiency

The bond funds are legally protected and cannot be used for expenditures such as salaries, benefits or daily operating costs, the district said.

"Our buildings are where young minds grow, and they are also gathering places for the whole community," Khelghati said. "The community has chosen to reinvest in these spaces, so they will keep serving families, neighbors, and future generations for years to come."

Election results are unofficial until certified by election authorities.