Hubble Middle School, built in 2009 as a "21st Century School," will not receive upgrades under the proposed referendum, even though it has the lowest test scores in the district. | Facebook / Hubble Middle School
Hubble Middle School, built in 2009 as a "21st Century School," will not receive upgrades under the proposed referendum, even though it has the lowest test scores in the district. | Facebook / Hubble Middle School
Community Unit School District 200 is set to put a significant $151.5 million referendum on the ballot this November, aimed at upgrading three middle schools that have reportedly faced years of neglect.
However, a growing coalition of residents is rallying to oppose the measure, citing concerns about accountability and transparency in how the district manages its resources.
The referendum, which is the largest in the district's history, would raise property taxes for residents in Wheaton and Warrenville.
If approved, the referendum could cost taxpayers up to $236 million over 20 years, despite ongoing financial challenges within the district.
According to district estimates, homeowners with a median-valued home would see their taxes decrease by approximately $71 per year with the new referendum, contrasting sharply with a projected $471 reduction in taxes if the referendum does not pass. Critics argue this means the referendum effectively costs those homeowners around $400 annually.
The proposed referendum seeks funding to address extensive maintenance issues within the schools, but opponents argue that it raises more questions than it answers.
“We believe that public institutions should be accountable to the people they serve,” opposition website CUSD200.info reads. “Our mission is to ensure that decisions impacting our schools and our children are made with integrity and transparency.”
Critics of the referendum are dedicated to providing clear, unbiased information to the community, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making.
“We are dedicated to promoting transparency in our community,” opposition website CUSD200.info reads. “Our goal is to provide clear, accurate information about the CUSD200 Referendum to ensure every community member is informed and empowered to make decisions that reflect our community's shared values.”
Residents have expressed skepticism about the district's past management of funds, particularly as this referendum follows previous failed attempts to secure funding for school improvements. The referendum language below will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot:
“Shall the Board of Education of Wheaton Warrenville Community Unit School District Number 200, DuPage County, Illinois, construct additions to, alter, repair, equip and improve the sites of the Franklin, Edison and Monroe middle school buildings, including constructing safety and security improvements, updating infrastructure and mechanical systems to improve efficiency, improving special education spaces and accessibility, updating science lab classrooms, improving music spaces, completing technology improvements and renovating instructional spaces, and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $151,500,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?”
Former Republican State Representative Ed Sullivan and Cor Strategies are collaborating to support the $151.5 million referendum for CUSD.
Critics, including former state legislator and gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives, expressed concern over the district's need to hire campaign operatives to promote the referendum, arguing that it reflects a disconnect with community sentiment about tax increases.
"Frankly, I was shocked to hear that these Republicans were in the business of selling property tax increases to voters,” Ives said in a statement. “We are supposed to be the party of low taxes, less government and property taxes are the number one complaint of most residents in Illinois. What's also appalling is that the school district can't convince the people on their own to vote for their plan. They literally hired campaign operatives to sell the referendum, that's how disconnected they are to most people in the district.”
The funds are intended to create "21st Century Learning" environments, including new performing arts centers and collaborative learning spaces, although the district has not guaranteed that these enhancements will lead to improved student outcomes.
Notably, Hubble Middle School, built in 2009 at a cost of $58 million, will not benefit from the new referendum.
Currently only 64% occupied, Hubble has the lowest test scores among CUSD 200 middle schools, with just 56% of students meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and a mere 31% in Math.
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