Community Consolidated School District 46 and the Board of Education are committed to fulfilling our mission of empowering learners, creating equity, and cultivating community as we maintain excellence when it comes to our educational offerings. We remain focused on protecting our high-performing schools, benefiting both our students and taxpayers. But we need to hear from you, our district residents.
A public opinion survey will be mailed to you this fall. The District will also be hosting several public information meetings. We welcome you to join us at one of these upcoming meetings to learn about our proposal, and share your thoughts.
Community Consolidated School District 46 is considering placing a limiting rate proposal on the ballot in 2024.
This type of voter-approved funding proposal, unlike a bond referendum, would allow the District to address both capital facility and operating needs districtwide.
The funding proposal would allow for a net tax rate decrease.
The District will pay off existing long-term debt before the new limiting rate increase would be implemented. The net effect is a reduction in the District’s total tax rate of 10 cents. For a home with a $300,000 fair market value, taxes would go down by an estimated $90.45 per year.
The proceeds of the limiting rate increase would be evenly split between capital facility and operating needs.
Approximately $3 million would fund capital improvements and $3 million would address operating needs.
A special focus would be placed on addressing maintenance and infrastructure needs.
The current proposal calls for the District to pursue a long-term financing to speed up completion of facility and site upgrades. Approximately $29 million would go toward maintenance and infrastructure improvements and $8 million would fund the renovation and reconfiguration of libraries/media centers and student support spaces.
Passage of the limiting rate proposal would allow CCSD 46 to address many of its highest priority facility, site, and operating needs, including:
- Replacing aging roofing
- Updating mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC/interior air quality systems
- Enhancing ADA accessibility (interior and exterior)
- Upgrading exterior envelopes and improving paving/sidewalks
- Improving interiors (acoustics, ceilings, doors, hardware, and related upgrades)
- Updating libraries/media centers, including space for collaboration and STEM programming
- Reconfiguring student support services spaces
- Attracting, training, and retaining quality teachers
- Protecting current programming
- Maintaining class sizes
By waiting until existing long-term debt is paid off, CCSD 46 will be able to address high-priority facility, site, and operating needs, while also allowing for a net tax rate decrease. The financing proposal is focused on both the needs of our students and the taxpayers.
Lynn Glickman, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
We’ve done our homework.
The funding proposal that we are considering placing on the ballot in 2024 is the end result of years of planning.
Facility, site, and operating needs at each of the District’s seven schools were evaluated.
These key planning efforts that have been completed in the past two years include:
- Strategic Plan
- Facilities Assessment
- Three-Year Capital Plan
- Demographic & Enrollment Study
- Capacity & Utilization Report
- Educational Adequacy Assessment
- Citizen Task Force
Community stakeholders, including seasoned architects, engineers, and finance professionals, as well as teachers and staff, played an important role in the development of the current proposal. We now seek input from all district residents.
Stephen H. Mack, Ed.D., President, Board of Education
The District’s Schools are Between 16 – 73 Years Old
