District to seek $54M bond approval
‘We haven’t had a bond in 13 years’
The Oak Park School District’s board of education has moved to put a $54 million bond proposal on the ballot for the May 4 election.
If approved, the money would be used to school upgrades for mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, technology for students, and other upgrades.
“We haven’t had a bond in 13 years,” said Steve Barr, chief financial and operations officer for the school district. “We think our facilities are in dire need of updating. Whether it’s cooling and heating, or plumbing, these things are essential infrastructure to keep our buildings operating safely.”
School officials said voters can approve the bond proposal and not see any increase in their school tax millage rate of 5.98 mills.
If the bond proposal fails school taxes would drop 3.58 mills, but officials said the district’s aging buildings will get much worse and the cost of making repairs later will only increase.
“You wouldn’t avoid fixing a failing driveway, failing floors or appliances at your house,” Barr said. “You wouldn’t skip that and we can’t skip those kinds of things either in the
schools. When you haven’t done things in 13 years then things are going to keep getting worse and worse.”
There are close to 4,000 students in the Oak Park School district’s six buildings that include three elementary schools, a preparatory academy, high school and a Nova Academy used to help students catch up on subjects where they face challenges.
Superintendent Jamii Hitchcock in a statement said the district is committed to student achievement and providing students with a safe and welcoming learning environment.
“We have a great opportunity to make an investment in our students and our surrounding community,” she said of the bond proposal.
By law, no money from the bond can be used law for school employee salaries or operating expenses.
“We need to take care of our (buildings) and what our kids deserve,” Barr said.
There is a wide range of upgrades that the district
has identified to keep school buildings safe and operation, officials said.
Money from the bond would be used to upgrade fire safety systems, replace roofs and classroom instructional equipment and buy new tech learning devices for students.
Windows would be replaced and energy efficient lighting installed. Gym bleachers would be replaced at Lessenger Elementary and the high school. Electrical, plumbing and heating upgrades would also be made at buildings in the district.
“With historically low interest rates, we are asking voters to consider an investment in our school system at a time when there will be no tax rate increase to the community,” said Menachem Hojda, board of education president, in a statement.
More information on the bond proposal is available on the school district’s website at oakparkschools. org/bond/