Cass D-63 Voters Decide On Proposed Tax Increase

DARIEN, IL — Voters in Cass School District 63 are considering a referendum measure that, if passed, would result in a tax increase. The election is next Tuesday.

This comes as the neighboring school district, Center Cass 66, is asking its voters to approve a referendum question that could see the school district's property tax bills go up by nearly 25 percent.

In Cass 63, the overall property tax increase is expected to be 4 percent. This means an owner-occupied home valued at $300,000 would see an increase of $246 a year, according to the district’s superintendent, Mark Cross.

The total cost, according to the referendum question, would amount to no more than $13.4 million. It would be used for the building needs of its two schools, according to the district. It would also pay off an existing bond eight years early, which would save an estimated $110,000 in interest, the district said.

The district says it is addressing three main needs – safety, security, and buildings' heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

The school district is hoping to replace its current HVAC systems with geothermal ones. That, according to the district, has the highest upfront cost of the options considered, but over time would be the cheapest.

According to Cass 63, the increased tax revenue would also be used to replace their schools' fire alarm systems, update video surveillance systems, and install an integrated intercom and communications system.

Cross maintained the district has been conservative in its spending. It clarified Cass 63’s referendum is not related to Center Cass 66 and that no resident pays taxes for both districts.

The district has a frequently-asked-questions section on its website about the tax issue, which includes a tax calculator for residents to see how much their own taxes would increase under the proposed measure.