Cass D-63 Mulls New Tax Hike Proposal

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said the June referendum measure was defeated by 700 votes, and that the board meeting's time was at 6:30 p.m.

DARIEN, IL — The Cass School District 63 school board is set to meet for the first time since a proposed property tax increase was defeated in the June 28 election.

According to the meeting’s agenda for Tuesday, members are expected to discuss plans for the building needs of its two schools, Concord Elementary and Cass Junior High.

These needs are in regard to safety, security, and replacement of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

The board is also expected to vote on approving a $12.8 million bond referendum for the November general election. Patch contacted the school district for more details on the bond proposal, but has yet to receive a response.

The June referendum measure was defeated by 225 votes, with nearly 56 percent of the district’s voters rejecting the tax increase. This came despite the district’s superintendent saying he believed the district had provided the community with good information and made every effort to be completely open.

Had the bonds been approved in June, the money would have gone to replace the schools’ current HVAC systems with geothermal ones, according to the school district. The increased tax revenue would also have been used to replace the schools’ fire alarm systems, update video surveillance systems, and install an integrated intercom and communications system.

The school board is set to meet at 7 p.m. at Cass Junior High School.