W.
Aurora schools pursue
By
John Johnston
Daily
Herald Correspondent
West Aurora School District 129 hopes that open
and frank dialogue will lead to a successful referendum
request this spring.
The school board Monday approved
a referendum question for the April 17 ballot
that would ask for an additional $.50 on $100
equalized assessed value.
For the owner of a $100,000 house, that would
mean a property tax increase of more than $165
the first year. Taking appreciation into account,
the increase would be more than $400 in the fourth
year, officials said.
The money would be used for operating expenses,
such as paying bills and refreshing large equipment
and technology. The district is about $2 million
in the red this year and projects the deficit to
increase to $3 million next year.
“This is a responsible, moderate increase
that will help us move forward,” Superintendent
James Rydland said. “We need to support the
buildings we have.”
“With some respect, our future is at stake,” board
member Laurie Hoffman said, “We can’t
sustain what we have right now, let alone raise
standards for our kids.”
The district knows it will have to get its message
out if it has any chance to gain more money.
Building off experience gained from more than
60 public forums to make the case for more money,
Rydland said the open communication will continue
with the creation of a citizens committee.
Debbie Nardone, head of the Fearn Elementary PTA
and parent of two children in the district, has
been tapped to lead the committee, and she said
there were already several people who expressed
interest. No meeting dates have been set, but she
said the committee will get to work soon.
“This is an excellent opportunity to get
information out to the citizens of Aurora. Communication
is needed to let people know West Aurora has needs,” Nardone
said.
If the referendum passes, the extra money would
bring portable classrooms to Fearn, which is over
capacity in its sixth year, Nardone said.
Board member Allyson Herget said the forums piqued
community interest, and she would like that to
continue.
“We need to make sure the community knows
we value their input and want it to continue,” she
said.
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