Politics & Government

Voters Reject $65M Building for Hinsdale Middle School

Voters did not approve the question to pay for a new Hinsdale Middle School.

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Hinsdale, IL - Local voters chose not to allow Community Consolidated School District 181 to issue bonds to pay for a new Hinsdale Middle School.

Unofficial tallies with all precincts reporting in Cook and DuPage counties show 56 percent of voters selected "No" on the referendum question, and 44 percent of voters chose "Yes," according to the Cook and DuPage election offices.

DuPage County collected 8,465 votes, and Cook County had 1,120 ballots cast.

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"As the majority of community members did not support moving forward with new construction of HMS at this time, we will engage in the critical discussion of next steps, including determining which short-term projects and/or immediate needs will be pursued in the building, and what options will be considered to address remaining building issues," superintendent Don White said in a statement. "I am also interested in listening to further community feedback, questions, and concerns that can help inform our future action and decision making."

The Hinsdale Middle School referendum question on March 15 ballots used the following wording.

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PROPOSITION TO ISSUE $65 MILLION SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS

Shall the Board of Education of Community Consolidated School District Number 181, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois (located primarily in Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills, Illinois), improve the site of and build and equip a new school building and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $65 million for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

The school board had approved a $65 million project option with a financing plan that, if voters had approved the referendum question, would have resulted in a property tax increase of about $263 a year for a $500,000 home, to begin after the new school would have been built, according to District 181. After six years under the financing plan, the tax rate would have been less than it is now.

With the failed referendum question, the current school facilities will need about $3.4 million in repairs and replacements over the next 10 years, according to a Board Facilities Committee analysis. That estimate includes a $670,000 roof patch, but the option for a roof replacement was previously estimated at more than $2.33 million.

More information on the referendum is available from District 181. Questions can be directed via email or by calling 630-861-4924.

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