Homewood To Decide On D153 Limiting Rate Increase: Illinois Election

HOMEWOOD, IL — Homewood voters Nov. 8 will take to the polls to determine if Homewood District 153 will be granted a limiting rate increase to address a $2 million deficit in its $23 million budget.

On the ballot for Homewood residents is a referendum that would see the tax rate rise from $4.40 per $100 assessed value of property, to $5.60. The increase would help the district address a decreased revenue stream, and would cushion the district's budget for 20-30 years, the district has said.

Specifically, voters will be asked:

"Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Homewood School District Number 153, Cook County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 1.20% above the limiting rate for the purpose of funding increased educational and other school district expenses for levy year 2020 and be equal to 5.610% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2022? (1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $15,356,687 and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $19,535,377. (2) For the 2022 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $386.81. (3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2022 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law)."

The referendum would help the district accomplish three goals, Superintendent Scott McAlister has said, including to eliminate the district's structural deficit, build cash reserves, and address facility needs, according to the district's website regarding the referendum. The district last posed a referendum question in 2016, when voters approved a bond sale that financed some of the district's needs until 2023, but those funds are running out, the Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle reports. The tax increase at that time was $12/month on a $100,000 home.

McAlister told residents in October that should the referendum not pass this election, the administration would have to consider drastic cuts to staff and programs.

"It is just not possible to realize $2 million in savings without eliminating numerous positions and opportunities for student learning," McAlister wrote in a letter to district families.

McAlister proposed the following cuts, should the referendum not pass:

• 5 positions in the District Administrative Office
• All after-school clubs and sports
• Band, choir, and orchestra co-curricular programs
• 2-4 interventionist positions at each school
• 1 grade-level teacher for grades K-5 and 2 teachers at James Hart
• 1 specials/other certified support teacher at each school
• 2 physical education teachers
• 1 clerical position at each school

"... reductions of this magnitude would have a deep and profound impact on everything that makes our district special," McAlister wrote to parents. "District 153 has always believed it is our responsibility to not only teach literacy and mathematics, but also to ensure that our students receive a well-rounded education, including experiences in specials and the fine arts, as well as an array of clubs and sports to meet the interests of everyone. Losing these options for kids would be devastating."

The district has addressed why it needs the increase in a series of videos, like the one seen here.