Center Cass 66 To Ask Voters Again For A Tax Hike

DARIEN, IL — Center Cass School District 66's board voted earlier this month to again hold a referendum that will ask voters in November to raise their property taxes.

Last June, 60 percent of voters in the district rejected a tax hike of nearly 25 percent.

This time, Center Cass is asking for an increase of around 20 percent. The owner of a house valued at $100,000 would see a $136 tax increase, according to the district.

Superintendent Andrew Wise told the board that although a higher tax hike was needed to regain academic and fiscal health within 15 years, the community did not have the capacity for that increase, according to a news release on the district’s website.

Wise also said that if the district did not ask for a lower tax increase, it could risk this referendum failing as well, causing "irreparable damage."

If the referendum passes, the district is expected to see an increase in income of about $2.5 million a year, about $600,000 less than the previous referendum, which was expected to bring in $3 million more.

Wise said the dollars brought in by a successful referendum would address the four areas of the district's strategic plan. They are improving the learning of students, employing enough proper personnel to ensure learning, improving facilities to make sure they are safe and conducive to learning, and regaining financial health.

If the property tax increase passes, the rate would still be below the average among DuPage County's elementary school districts, according to Center Cass officials.

Earlier this month, the school board approved budget cuts, which included reducing bus routes and school days, cutting various positions and freezing salaries.

Wise updated the board and told it that the district had been able to add 5 to 15 minutes back on the school day.

The next school board meeting is set for Sept. 14.