Brady PieperThis article was written using information found in the National Bond Report from Strategic Partnerships, Inc. This comprehensive report features information on every public entity planning to hold a bond election. To purchase this report, click here.
Kane County, Illinois, residents will vote on a school referendum bond to enhance safety and upgrade district facilities
The Kaneland Community School District’s (KCSD) Board of Education is approving a School Building Bond proposal, which can result in more than $140 million in taxpayer funds for districtwide improvements. Following the board’s approval, the bond referendum will be presented on residents’ April 1 ballot, seeking to rejuvenate critical infrastructure, public safety and district operations throughout southern Kane County.
As inflation and construction costs continue to rise, KCSD evaluated methods to fund future infrastructure and capital projects, including the usage of school bonds. The district, however, needs to reorganize its existing bonds to borrow additional funds from taxpayers. Currently, KCSD has three years to repay its existing loans, which were used for previous school projects.
The proposed bond referendum looks to restructure KCSD’s current bonds to allow for additional funding for new school projects in 2025, similar as one would do with a car loan payment. Despite this, residents’ tax rate would not rise under this restructuring and remain at 0.97 per $100 of equalized assessed valuation, according to district officials.
Overall, the bond would fund three primary scopes of work, encompassing essential repairs, facility modernizations and the construction of new facilities to support educational and athletic spaces.
For the first scope, the district anticipates spending $48.7 million to repair infrastructure, mechanical systems and aging roofs at elementary schools. This funding will also purchase upgrades to learning spaces and restrooms along with improving safety at the main entrance of the high school.
The bond would expand modernization efforts through scope two, contributing approximately $79.5 million. This scope would focus on adding enhancements to playgrounds, upgrading athletic facilities at the high school and relocating maintenance and transportation facilities closer to Kaneland Harter Middle School.
The proposed bond’s third scope includes all previous commitments from phases one and two and will finalize the development of a new fieldhouse at the high school, which would serve as a hub for physical education, athletic programs and community events. This third scope will also involve the conversion of the West Gym to classroom spaces.
In the coming months, the KCSD will host a series of town hall meetings, school events and informational sessions to give community members and stakeholders an opportunity to learn more about the proposed renovations.
Interested parties may find more information, resources and ways to stay up-to-date on the upcoming referendum bond on KCSD’s initiative webpage.
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