Cass D-63 OKs New Referendum To Address Old Issues

DARIEN, IL — The Cass School District 63 board decided Tuesday to let residents vote again on a property tax increase in November.

The overall increase would be less than 4 percent, with the average homeowner paying $235 more a year, according to the district.

In June, the district previously presented a $13.4 million bond referendum to voters. It was defeated by 200 votes.

Now, the district is asking for approval of a $12.8 million bond to again address heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and security and safety needs at its two schools – Concord Elementary and Cass Junior High.

The district is looking to replace its current HVAC system with a geothermal one, which Superintendent Mark Cross said was the best long-term solution for taxpayers.

“We know that it’s the most cost-effective long-term. We know that it’s got the lowest life cycle cost,” Cross told the board.

The district is also looking to replace its fire alarm system, update its video surveillance system and buy an integrated intercom and communication system.

The tax hike would also be used to refund existing bonds, which the district says would save over $200,000 in interest.

The latest tax increase proposal is for a slightly less amount. That's because the district wants to address its most urgent need – replacing three HVAC systems on the south wing of Concord – by using a $50,000 matching grant and an estimated $379,000 in pandemic relief aid.

Regardless whether the ballot measure passes in November, the district plans to replace the HVAC systems at Concord next summer.

Cross said the district would knock out its biggest priority, even if the referendum fails.

Cross also said the "doomsday" scenario would require the district to prioritize which HVAC units must be replaced yearly, as well as cutting other programs and projects. That, he said, would be inefficient.

Board member Steve Wyent pointed out the district could not use grants and federal aid to fund the rest of the district’s HVAC needs.

“It’s being funded by a matching grant and federal COVID funds,” Hyent said. "Which you can’t count on every single year."

The school board voted unanimously to approve the referendum. Vice President Kent Absalonsen and board member Rinku Patel were absent.