District 113A Referendum: Q&A With Superintendent McConnell

LEMONT, IL — On the April 6 ballot, voters will see a referendum question from Lemont-Bromberek Combined District 113A concerning an operating tax increase which would allow the district to reopen Central School and start a full-day kindergarten program.

To help voters understand the referendum and what it means, Lemont Patch sent several questions to Superintendent Anthony McConnell, which he provided answers to below.

If you would still like to learn more about the referendum, McConnell will be doing a Facebook Live event on the district's Facebook page at 7 p.m. Thursday. The district will also hold its final virtual information session on April 5.

Patch: Many people are wary to vote yes to the referendum due to the district's previous financial history and the decisions of previous boards. What would you say to those more cautious voters?

McConnell: It is natural to be cautious given the state of the district a decade ago. At that time, District 113A was in danger of being taken over by the state and was in serious financial trouble. That said, over the past 10 years, under the leadership of a new school board, the district has made a dramatic turnaround.

In fact, for eight consecutive years, District 113A has earned a perfect 4.0 financial profile score from the Illinois State Board of Education. We have improved our bond rating to AA, just below the highest possible level.

This referendum is not about plugging holes in a sinking ship. Rather, it is in response to growth in our community and our student population. This growth has led to a need for more space and staffing to accommodate our increasing numbers of residents, families, and, most importantly, students.

P: There is some confusion over whether property taxes will still decrease if the referendum is successful. Could you explain this?

M: The notion of property taxes decreasing after a referendum is approved is understandably confusing. However, in this case, it’s true. The tax rate would decrease if the referendum is successful.

The district levies $.445 for bond and interest payments every year. This is the last year that amount will appear on residents’ property tax bills because the district is making its final bond payment in the fall. When the district’s bonds are paid off, that money is no longer collected. The April 6 referendum is asking voters to approve a $.29 limiting rate increase. The limiting rate is revenue the district can use for operations, such as staffing and just about anything to do with running and operating the school district.

A $.29 tax rate increase that happens at the same time as a $.445 decrease is still a reduction in residents’ tax rates of $.15. We have also created this brief video to help explain how the referendum will not lead to a tax rate increase.

P: When was the last time voters passed a referendum for District 113A?

M: The last time a referendum was approved for District 113A was 27 years ago in 1994. That was a bond issue that led to the construction of Old Quarry Middle School, which opened in 1997. The last time residents approved an increase to the operating tax rate was 43 years ago in 1977.

P: If the referendum does pass, and Central reopens, when will the school reopen
and what grades will move there?

M: Construction on Central School would take the majority of next school year to complete. As a result, we are planning to start students at Central beginning the 2022-23 school year. Central would be an intermediate school housing grades 4-5. The building is designed most appropriately for students that age. We would also plan to implement full-day kindergarten in fall 2022 as well.

P: What are the average class sizes at each school currently, and what will be the decrease if the referendum is approved?

M: The district’s average class size has been growing over the past several years. While it can vary somewhat by grade level, under normal circumstances our class sizes in grade 1-8 range from 27-31, sometimes even higher at the middle school. The average class size in Illinois is 22.

P: How many employees (teachers, faculty, support staff) will be hired if the referendum passes?

M: We would look to hire at least an additional 15 teachers on a permanent basis to reduce our class sizes. In addition, with the reopening of Central School, we would hire additional support staff, such as a school nurse, student services personnel, and administrative support. These teachers and staff members would help us meet the needs of our growing student population and lower classes sizes throughout the district.

P: Full-day kindergarten will also begin if the referendum is successful. How many of our surrounding communities already offer this?

M: First, it is important to note that full-day kindergarten came out as a top community priority during the district’s strategic planning process. We did conduct a survey through our Intermediate Service Center in South Cook, which includes more than 70 school districts.

Almost 90% indicated that they currently offer full-day kindergarten programs in their communities. District 113A remains one of just a few districts in our region not to offer full-day kindergarten to students and families.

P: If the referendum is not successful, what are the next steps for the district?

M: If the referendum is not successful, we must continue to provide our students with the best educational experience possible, and that is exactly what we will do. However, the challenges associated with our growth will not go away. We will continue to experience large class sizes and a lack of space in our facilities.

P: For those who don't have children, or those with children who have already gone through the school district, what are the benefits for those residents?

M: Strong schools support a strong community. An improved educational environment and experience for the children of a community is a benefit to everyone, whether you have children in our schools or not. That said, strong and desirable schools also support property values in a community. Many homebuyers, especially those who have or are planning to have children, look at the quality of the local schools as a key factor when deciding to move into a community. This in turn can also have an impact on attracting businesses and other community resources as well.

The question on the ballot will read:

Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A, Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.2900% above the limiting rate for school purposes for levy year 2019 and be equal to 2.124% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2021?" 1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $22,112,851 and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $25,609,431. 2) For the 2019 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 $96.57 for DuPage County and $84.56 for Cook County. 3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for levy year 2021 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).