District 87 To Pose $183M Bond Referendum Question On March Ballot

GLEN ELLYN, IL — Glenbard District 87 board members unanimously voted to present a $183 million bond referendum question on the March 2024 ballot. The bonds would be used to fund repairs and upgrades to Glenbard East, West, North and South High Schools.

The oldest of the schools, Glenbard West, was built in 1923. Glenbard South, the district's most recent high school, was built in 1972.

The proposed work aligns with District 87's 10-year facility master plan, which allots $312 million for upgrades and improvements to the high schools. To help fund this, the district plans to tap into $129 million of operating revenue over a period of 10 years.

The remaining $183 million would be funded by taxpayers if the bond referendum moves forward. Homeowners can click the link to see how the proposed bond referendum would impact their property taxes.

Priorities outlined in the facility master plan include:

• Cafeteria improvements
• Classroom improvements
• Security system and safety upgrades
• Science lab upgrades
• Upgrades to electrical and plumbing systems, roofing and other building infrastructure

Below is how voters will see the referendum question on their March 19, 2024, ballots:

Shall the Board of Education of Glenbard Township High School District Number 87, DuPage County, Illinois, install safety and security improvements, increase accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act, repair and replace mechanical systems, roofs and other infrastructure, improve energy efficiency and technology infrastructure, renovate classrooms, science labs, vocational labs and learning spaces and undertake other building and site improvements to, and purchase equipment for, each of the School District’s four high schools – Glenbard East, Glenbard North, Glenbard South and Glenbard West – and issue its bonds to the amount of $183,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

District 87 Superintendent David Larson shared the following statement with Patch Tuesday afternoon, "The proposed improvements will improve the student experiences by providing accessible and versatile learning spaces for project development and presentations. The new and upgraded spaces also will enhance our Profile of a Graduate learning experiences."

He continued, "Additionally, students will have better access to resources such as student services and college and career counseling. Improvements to labs, including science, technology, engineering, math, art and design and music labs, will align with best practice curriculum and instruction. This modernizing of our high schools will increase student ownership and pride, positively affecting student achievement and attendance."