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Bond Proposal - Frequently Asked Questions
Improving Our Schools - With Zero-Tax-Rate-Change
On Tuesday, April 4, School District U-46 community members voted on a zero-tax-rate-change bond proposal. This allows us to proceed with the community-created plan that will replace and rebuild some of our oldest elementary schools, update elementary school buildings to support expanded preschool opportunities, and implement a true 6th through 8th-grade middle school model. The proposal will also address districtwide critical maintenance and safety and security needs, balance enrollment, and improve equitable access to programs at more schools districtwide.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions and answers relating to School District U-46's proposed $179 million bond proposal. Please note that this list will likely be updated as the process continues. The questions are categorized as follows:
- Community Created Plan
- Finances / Zero-Tax-Rate-Change
- Bond Issue Projects
- Election Day & Voting Information
Community Created Plan
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How was the community involved in developing this plan?
With aging buildings, declining enrollment, and rapidly changing needs of students, the U-46 Board of Education turned to the community for input and, ultimately, solutions.
In 2020, the architectural firm DLR Group was hired to develop an educational facility master plan. They spent more than a year conducting an in-depth review and analysis of every school building. This included student, staff and community input sessions and a professional building condition analysis. The process known as Designing Our Future was led by a 14-member steering committee that brought a variety of experiences and perspectives to the process.
The Designing Our Future final report was presented to the U-46 Board in 2021. With a facility plan in hand, the Board wanted the community’s input on this facility plan to improve U-46 schools before any final decision was made. Unite U-46, a community-led public engagement process, was created as a way to listen to the community’s ideas and suggestions and find solutions.
Throughout 2022, Unite U-46 brought together more than 650 community members to learn about the challenges and opportunities facing our schools and to develop solutions to move our schools forward. The process included in-person and virtual sessions, community surveys, open houses and building tours. In December 2022, the Unite U-46 committee presented recommendations to the Board of Education. On December 19, the Board approved the recommendations and authorized the bond proposal to appear on the April 4 ballot.
Finances/Zero-Tax-Rate-Change
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Why is this a zero-tax-rate-change proposal? How can this work be completed without raising the tax rate?
U-46 has a unique opportunity to complete the needed building updates without changing the portion of the tax rate used for paying down U-46 debt. As previous debt from the referendum in the early 2000s is paid off, the district can take on new debt without changing the tax rate homeowners pay.
This is similar to taking out a home equity loan to make major home repairs or updates while keeping your mortgage payment the same. It is important to understand that, for any given year, the amount of property taxes you pay to support our schools might change based on changes in the assessed valuation of your property. However, the tax rate for debt retirement will not change if voters approve our proposal.
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How much are these updates expected to cost?
As of winter 2022, the updates are estimated to cost a total of $310-380 million.
To complete the identified improvements throughout the District, up to $200 million in reserve and operating funds, along with grant funding, will be utilized. This is in addition to the proposed bond funding.
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How is the District’s current financial health?
The District is a good steward of the community’s investment in its schools and it has been recognized for its efforts. In recent years, U-46 has ended the year with a surplus, allowing the District to grow its reserve fund (savings account).
For nearly a decade, the District has received annual financial recognition designation from the Illinois State Board of Education, and for the past six years, has been recognized by the Association of School Business Officials International.
In August 2021, the District’s S&P Bond Rating was upgraded from AA- to AA. This upgrade reflects the increase in the District’s tax base, coupled with consistently strong operating performance and growing reserves.
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How does the zero-debt rate change impact the annual tax levy?
Each year in December, the Board of Education approves a tax levy for the district. The tax levy usually includes an adjustment to account for inflation. The Property Tax Extension Limitation Law limits the adjustment to 5% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is lower. The debt levy is not included in this portion of the tax levy as it is based on the district’s debt schedule. Since the district paid off the debt from the referendum in the early 2000s, the district can take on new debt without changing the debt portion of the tax rate.
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Will my tax bill increase?
While the debt tax rate will remain unchanged, individual tax bills will vary based on increasing/decreasing property values and inflationary adjustments. Assuming all things remain equal, the total taxes allocated to the district will not change.
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The proposal states that the district's tax rate won’t go up. How long will it be held at the current rate?
The new bonds would be paid off over 20 years so the referendum debt service portion of U-46's tax rate will not increase during the 20-year period.
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If the proposal does not pass, will my tax rate go down?
If the proposal does not pass, the debt service portion of U-46's tax rate may drop by approximately $0.19 per $100 of equalized assessed value. Based on the 2023 levy year, in which taxes will be paid in 2024, this would result in a savings of approximately $178 on a home with a $300,000 market value.
Bond Issue Projects
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What improvements will be made?
The U-46 Board of Education is asking the community to vote on a $179 million zero-tax-rate-change bond proposal on April 4, 2023. If approved by voters, the proposal will:
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Ensure all U-46 schools have up-to-date safety and security features, including secure entryways, lockable doors in every classroom and are ADA accessible.
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Provide high quality and equitable educational opportunities for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students in a true middle school model.
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Improve equitable access to programs at more schools districtwide.
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Balance enrollment at schools throughout the District.
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Update elementary school buildings to support expanded preschool opportunities for more students districtwide.
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Add and maintain more outdoor learning spaces and environments and update playgrounds and greenspaces.
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Increase the annual budget for maintenance and repairs by $10 million per year. This includes:
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Protecting the $1.5 billion investment our community has made in our school buildings by proactively maintaining and updating building infrastructure items like roofs, windows, electrical systems, plumbing and HVAC systems.
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In addition to the bond funding, the District will utilize up to $200 million in reserve and operating funds along with grant funding to meet these needs, which were defined by the community in the Unite U-46 community engagement program.
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Why do our buildings need to be updated?
U-46 is facing a number of challenges, including:
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Aging buildings
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Nearly all of the buildings slated for closure or rebuilding in this plan range from 52 to more than 135 years old.
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We have too many buildings for our enrollment now and in the coming years, and many of them are in need of updates to meet the needs of our students.
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Our older schools require constant maintenance and repair on roofs, walls, windows, HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems.
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Our schools represent a $1.5 billion investment by our District and its taxpayers and must be properly maintained.
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The changing needs of students
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We are preparing our students for a very different world than we were in the late 1800s, 1950s, 60s and 70s when many of our schools were built. The labs, accessibility, safety and security systems, and overall conditions of many of our school buildings are in need of updates.
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Declining enrollment
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The number of students in U-46 is declining, and this trend is expected to continue.
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The most significant impact on enrollment is declining birth rates. Over the last 15 years, the number of births within U-46 has been shrinking at an average rate of 100 births per year.
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This has led to some buildings that are full and others that have space for more students, with smaller class sizes and empty classrooms. Operating schools closer to capacity saves the District money in the long run.
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What is the construction timeline for the elementary schools?
Timelines for renovating or building new schools must be flexible and can take two to three years. These require careful planning to ensure student learning is not disrupted and staff has time and resources to transition. If the bond proposal is approved, the District will work closely with architects and construction managers to implement the most efficient timeline. School closures and construction will be announced at least one year in advance.
Our initial plans call for the oldest buildings, Lowrie and Washington elementary schools in Elgin, to be addressed first, followed by rebuilding Glenbrook Elementary in Streamwood. When these schools are completed, McKinley and Century Oaks in Elgin and Parkwood in Hanover Park will be rebuilt.
Any new schools will not open until at least the 2026-27 school year.
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What is the construction timeline for the middle schools?
Based on the feedback from the community during the Unite U-46 program, the District is further assessing the facility needs of each of the district’s eight middle schools to prepare them to meet the needs of the 6th through 8th grade middle school model.
If the bond proposal is approved, any necessary updates to these schools would be completed during the summers of 2024 and 2025. The construction at Hawk Hollow will also be completed by August 2025, when the district will officially start using the 6th through 8th grade middle school model.
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If the bond proposal is approved by voters, will new boundary lines need to be developed?
Yes. As new schools are built, and others closed, plus anticipated enrollment shifts throughout the District, it will be important to develop new boundary lines. If the bond proposal is approved and the improvement plans take effect, the District will work with the community to develop new boundary lines.
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What happens if economic conditions change and prices for projects increase?
The proposed bond issue addresses identified needs for the District; however, the list could possibly be modified due to changing financial conditions. With today’s economy, if the proposal is approved by the voters, the District will be diligent in protecting the taxpayer’s investment while completing the identified projects in the bond issue proposal.
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Why should we do this work now and not wait until later?
This proposal is a one-time opportunity for us to make these needed improvements without changing our tax rate. If the proposal is approved and the facility plan is completed, our schools will be more efficient to operate and maintain, thus saving our District money.
Just as homeowners must sometimes spend money to maintain their homes, the District must spend money to protect the investment that the community has made in its schools and neighborhoods. If approved, the bond proposal will allow us to help protect the $1.5 billion investment our community has made in our schools along with the financial future of our District. Investing in updated and improved buildings now will benefit many future generations of students and homeowners.
If we wait to make these improvements, we will miss the financial opportunity we have now, plus our schools will continue to decline. A future bond proposal would likely require a tax rate increase, and the costs to update our schools will continue to increase.
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What specific building changes are planned?
Based on existing enrollment trends and construction pricing, it is expected the following buildings would close, be rebuilt or undergo major renovations if the proposal is approved by voters:
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Garfield Elementary will close in Fall 2023. Students will transition to Channing and Huff elementary schools, which have room for more students.
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Hawk Hollow will be fully transitioned to a middle school by the fall of 2025. This provides a middle school in the southeast portion of the District and increases capacity to allow all 6th-grade students districtwide to attend middle school in the fall of 2025.
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All middle school buildings will receive updates to implement the 6th-8th grade model.
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Preschool classrooms will be selectively added to elementary schools based on up-to-date enrollment data, available space and grant funding opportunities. When there is adequate preschool capacity within the elementary schools, More At 4 Early Childhood Center and Illinois Park Early Childhood Center will close.
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Lowrie, McKinley, Glenbrook, Century Oaks, and Parkwood elementary schools will be rebuilt, and Washington elementary will be updated to better meet student educational needs, and to accommodate changes in enrollment.
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After the new Glenbrook school is built, students from Hanover Countryside Elementary will be transitioned to either the new Glenbrook or Oakhill school, and Hanover Countryside will then close.
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Beyond improving our schools, how will the bond issue help the community?
It is well known that the quality of schools is the single most important thing impacting property values. Quality schools stabilize and protect property values and lead to strong communities. The improvements we make now will benefit many generations of students and families who live, and who will live, in U-46.
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Will any of the bond proposal funds go toward areas other than building needs?
No. Bond funds can only be used for capital (building) improvements. State law requires that money from bond proposals only be used for capital expenditures such as: building new schools, school renovations, school furniture and technology. By law, bond funds MAY NOT be used for operating expenses such as salaries and benefits, contracted transportation costs, utilities, textbooks or other supplies.
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Why does U-46 want to implement a 6th through 8th grade middle school model? How is this better for students and learning?
Sixth graders are at a unique stage in their academic and social development. They are beginning to mature and their needs and abilities are different from those of younger students in elementary school. Placing sixth graders in middle schools allows them to be in an environment that is better suited to their developmental needs. They will have access to a wider range of academic programs, specialized classes, and extracurricular activities that are more appropriate for their age group. Additionally, being in a middle school setting will provide them with more opportunities to develop social skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and independence, that will serve them well as they move through their teenage years. U-46 middle schools will have trained counselors and specialized teachers to support their academic and emotional needs. Almost 70% of middle schools in the United States serve 6th to 8th graders.
Unite U-46 Session #3: The Whys Behind Preschool and Middle School
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How will the preschool plan be expanded?
The goal of expanding preschool opportunities is to serve our youngest learners and their families better. There is currently a waiting list for our preschool programs which needs to be remedied. To work toward the goal of reaching as many students as possible, the district will:
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Complete the review and revision of current boundaries.
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Resize elementary buildings.
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Determine which schools have the greatest need and greatest availability to house a preschool wing.
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Adjust budgets needed to support preschool within the buildings.
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Recruit additional preschool teachers and support staff.
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Create an effective community outreach plan to identify students for the expanded preschool offerings.
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What happens if this proposal is not approved by voters on April 4?
The cost for needed repairs and updates will continue to increase as our buildings age, and students will continue to attend schools that are not equitable across the District. Any future bond proposals will likely require a tax rate increase from the community instead of the zero-tax-rate-change opportunity this April.
Election Day & Voting Information
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How will the U-46 bond proposal appear on the ballot?
By law, the bond proposal must appear on the ballot in this form:
Shall the Board of Education of Elgin (U46) School District Number 46, Kane, Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois, construct safety and security improvements, renovate and replace building infrastructure, add classrooms for early childhood education, construct accessibility improvements under the Americans with Disabilities Act, construct STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) labs and classrooms, build and equip school buildings to replace existing school buildings, build and equip additions to and alter, repair and equip existing school buildings, improve sites and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $179,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?
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The ballot language says Elgin U-46, if I live in a different community will I vote on this proposal?
U-46 serves the communities of Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, South Elgin, Streamwood and Wayne and portions of Carol Stream, Hoffman Estates, St. Charles, Schaumburg, and West Chicago. Everyone who lives in our school district in these communities will vote on this bond proposal.
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When is the election?
Election Day is Tuesday, April 4, 2023. The U-46 bond proposal requires a simple majority (50% + 1 to pass). It is important for every voter to become informed and understand the proposal on the ballot and then exercise their right to vote. EVERY SINGLE VOTE IS IMPORTANT. That's why it is crucial that you remember to vote and remind all of your friends and family to do the same.
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Who Can Vote?
All residents of our District who are 18 or older by election day are eligible to vote in this election. If not currently registered, normal voter registration is open until the end of the day March 7. After March 7, those not registered can do “grace period” registration up until election day. When doing this, you register and vote early on the same trip to the polling places. (click the appropriate link below to learn more)
Community members may also request absentee ballots and find a complete list of election dates by contacting the Kane, Cook or Dupage County Clerk’s office or visiting their website for additional information.
Kane County - www.kanecountyclerk.org/Elections
Cook County - www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/ways-to-vote
DuPage County - www.dupagecounty.gov/election/
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When does early voting begin?
Early voting begins Feb. 23 by mail and is also the first day for in-person early voting. For a complete list of voting dates and voting locations, please, visit the County Clerk’s websites listed above.
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Why is the community required to vote to improve our schools?
Illinois law requires any plan that includes new construction to be approved by voters. Our plan calls to rebuild five elementary schools - Lowrie, Glenbrook, McKinley, Century Oaks, and Parkwood.
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What is a bond issue?
Simply put, a bond is much like a personal home loan and is a way for government entities, such as school districts, to borrow money for large projects and repay them with future tax proceeds. Just as an individual generally approaches a bank or financial institution for a mortgage because they don't have the means to pay for their home with one large initial payment, school districts sell voter-approved bonds to fund construction projects.