Kendall County Voters To Determine Fate Of $317M Referendum For Oswego District 308 Repairs

OSWEGO, IL — Oswego's school district is looking to secure $317 million in funding to repair and improve its existing school buildings, many of which officials say are in significant disrepair. It'll be up to voters in Tuesday's general election whether this will happen.

Residents within the boundaries of Oswego Community Unit School District 308 will be asked to approve or deny the issuance of bonds through a referendum question.

This is how the question will read on the ballot:

"Shall the Board of Education of Oswego Community Unit School District Number 308, Kendall, Kane and Will Counties, Illinois, alter, repair and equip existing school buildings and improve the sites thereof, including 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/gym spaces; and improvements to provide enhanced energy efficiency; and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $317,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?"

The issue is a result of "decades of deferred maintenance and aging building systems," the district said.

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.

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The referendum is designed to lower the district's homeowner tax rate, officials said. Since the district is retiring existing long-term debt, homeowners within the district would see a decrease in their property taxes, even if the referendum is approved, Patch reported.

The school board voted Aug. 10 to put the referendum on the ballot.

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