District 113A Board Approves Referendum Question For April Ballot

Lemont IL

07 January, 2021

11:58 AM

Description

LEMONT, IL — At its meeting on Wednesday, the Lemont-Bromberek District 113A Board of Education approved a referendum question which will appear on the spring consolidated election ballot on Tuesday, April 6. According to a release from the district, the new referendum question meets the same goals as the ballot question which failed in November. If approved, the April referendum would allow the district to reopen Central School to provide more space for students, add a full-day kindergarten program and reduce class sizes throughout its schools. The district said an approved referendum would not lead to an overall property tax increase. While the board is proposing a 29 cent operating rate increase, the district is also making its final bond payment for prior capital expenditures. As a result, if the referendum is approved, taxpayers would still see an estimated net decrease of approximately 6.8 percent in the District 113A portion of their tax bill, the district said. "There is little doubt that our lack of space and class sizes are significant issues that we need to deal with," Superintendent Anthony McConnell said. "I believe the board has put the district in an excellent position to accomplish the goals of the community, while balancing the interests of taxpayers." The district said its primary needs are tied to the recent growth in the Lemont-Bromberek community over the past several years, leading to overcrowding and space challenges that increase with enrollment each year. The district said its class sizes are already well above the state average, and growth will likely continue over the next decade due to development in the community. District 113A said it would also like to offer programming, such as full-day kindergarten, which would make it more competitive and desirable for new families. The district will also be holding virtual information sessions about the referendum on Jan. 28, Feb. 23, March 18 and April 5.