Careful district needs referendum funds

Prospect Heights School District 23 has always been careful with money. It has kept a balanced budget while having one of the lowest tax rates in the area. The district puts students first, making sure as much money as possible goes into classrooms. Even though it doesn’t get much funding from the state or federal government, it still provides a great education. In fact, students in our district do better than most in the state. By spending wisely, the district has made sure tax dollars are used well while keeping education strong.

But now, the district is facing a big challenge. A new rule from the state says all schools must have full-day kindergarten by 2027. The problem? The state isn’t giving extra money to help pay for it. This means the district will have to make tough choices — like making class sizes bigger or cutting important programs. Eisenhower School is already too crowded, with some students having to learn in hallways and shared spaces because there aren’t enough classrooms. On top of that, the school has safety issues, like an entrance that isn’t secure and traffic problems that make drop-off and pick-up dangerous. Even though the district has always been smart with money, it may not be able to handle these new demands without extra help.

That’s why the community has come up with a great plan — a new $19.3 million referendum that will be on the April 1 ballot. This plan costs $6.2 million less than one that was rejected before. If it passes, the district will be able to follow the state’s new rule, improve school safety and create the space students need — without cutting current programs. Supporting this plan will not only help our students but also protect home values and keep our schools strong. Voters now have a chance to support a fair plan that will help our schools and community succeed for years to come.

Kellie Cory

Prospect Heights