Joliet District 86 Voters Weigh In On Bond For New Gompers, Hufford

JOLIET, IL — The voters of Joliet Public School District voters will decide whether to spend $100 million in property taxes to build two new junior high schools and make a substantial addition to a west side grade school.

“The impact of these investments will provide high-quality, innovative, and equitable learning spaces for students, teachers, and families across our district,” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of School Inspectors President Erick Deshaun Dorris. “Thankfully, we are able to borrow these funds without increasing the debt service tax rate.”

Joliet District 86 officials are suggesting the current tax rate would stay the same.

"Because the District has debt expiring, the proposed financing would not result in an increase in the current tax rate. In fact, by 2030, the tax rate would go down," school officials indicated in a flier mailed to district residents.

Plans call for tearing down Hufford Junior High on Larkin Avenue, tearing down Gompers Junior High and building new junior high schools on both properties. Jefferson Elementary on Glenwood would undergo an addition.

The debt issuance that Joliet Public Schools District 86 is considering requires voter approval. A referendum question needs 50 percent approval, plus one additional “yes” vote, to be successful.

In addition, four classrooms and a multipurpose room will be added at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. Remaining funds will be used for restroom renovations, security upgrades, and the technology infrastructure will be addressed at all schools throughout the school district. The average age of Joliet District 86’s schools is 68 years.

According to District 86: "Hufford Junior High School was built 66 years ago and no longer meets the needs of today’s students. Due to a lack of space, two modular classrooms have been in use for the past 20 years ... Building a new school would address the population overflow and help create a more healthy, safe, and secure environment for all students."

Joliet Public Schools District 86 is the third-largest elementary school district in Illinois with a student enrollment of approximately 9,620 and 1,669 employees.

As for Gompers Junior High along Briggs Street on the Joliet's east side, the 64-year-old building has also reached the end of its useful life, according to District 86.

In regard to Gompers, the District 86 flier unveiling plans for the $100 million bond measure states, "Replacing the school makes greater economic sense than trying to repair, renovate, and reconfigure the school. Similar to Hufford Junior High School, the plan calls for the new school to be built directly across from the existing school. Once complete, the old school would be demolished, making way for new ball fields."

As for Jefferson Elementary on Glenwood Avenue, it was built 54 years ago. District officials say the classrooms are too small and do not allow for teachers to have desks. "Additionally, the gym has inadequate space to accommodate sports or proper physical education programming. Adding four new classrooms, creating a new multipurpose room and reconfiguring existing classroom spaces would help solve these issues."

"The last time voters in District 86 approved funding for building improvements was more than 20 years ago, proceeds of which were used to fund Sanchez and Thigpen Elementary Schools. Prior to that, the District had not built a new school in more than 30 years," District 86 announced.

The bond question on Tuesday's ballot for District 86 voters is the following:

Shall the Board of School Inspectors of Joliet School District Number 86, Will County, Illinois, alter, repair and equip existing school buildings, including but not limited to improving safety and security, replacing roofs, plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems, renovating science labs, classrooms and other instructional spaces, installing certain Americans with Disabilities Act compliance measures and updating technology infrastructure; build and equip two school buildings to replace the Hufford Junior High School and Gompers Junior High School Buildings; build and equip an addition to the Jefferson Elementary School Building; improve sites; and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $99,500,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Joliet District 86 Asks Voters to Approve $99.5 Million Referendum

Demolish Hufford, Gompers Junior High Buildings: District 86