Tax Levies and the burdens they create - Stay tuned!

Back in February, a very illuminating article by the OP Township Assessor Ali El-Saffar was published in the Wednesday Journal. It explained that the high school used a quirk in the law to increase its 2005 tax levy by 16.5% - on top of a voter-approved 2002 referendum increase. These increases resulted in $7.7 million of additional revenue to the high school in 2005 and subsequent years.  For the full article, see this LINK
 
Bear in mind that the high school is proposing to issue new bonds to fund a portion of the costs for the new pool/parking structure and other facility improvements.  This will create an additional tax burden.  That impact cannot be predicted until we know more about the financing specifics for this project.  However, remember that we are STILL PAYING TO SERVICE THE DEBT FOR THE PARKING GARAGE that was issued in 2003 when the garage was built. If it is taken down, we will still be paying for those bonds.  According to a 2013 WJ article, that debt service was costing the village close to $1 million per year, and will probably go higher.  Read the article HERE. (Note: Those bonds were issued by the village of Oak Park, the owner of the parking garage.)

For those of you who are newer visitors to this website, please scroll down and review some of the earlier posts.  In particular, THIS POST reviews PLAN A (which we are calling the pragmatic plan) and PLAN B (the approved plan, which is subject to further revision).  This CHART compares Plan A and Plan B in an easy to read format. (It also includes Plan C, the underground pool plan, though that plan seemed to have little support)

The next meeting of the BOE is Tuesday, August 16.  We will post the agenda and any additional details once they are on the high school's website HERE.  At this meeting, the school board will present its final plan with modifications to lower the cost, possibly to under $50 million.  They will also discuss, and possibly finalize, the funding parameters and referendum ballot question.

Thanks to all your efforts over the last nine months, it appears likely that the question of what to do about the high school's pools WILL BE PUT TO A VOTE in a referendum this fall! It seems the school board also realizes the importance of on-campus, off-street parking; the plan includes a new parking garage with the aquatics facility. WE MUST STAY ON TOP OF THIS ISSUE.

 

The next step is for D200 to finalize the facility plans for Option B, the cost and its funding mechanism (by Aug 16) Send your thoughts via e-mail to BOE@oprfhs.org. We will continue to advocate for the PRAGMATIC POOL SOLUTION. While we are disappointed that a more expensive option was chosen that takes down the existing garage, it is encouraging that the majority of the community agrees with our position, according to the public opinion phone survey (LINK) conducted by a professional research company commissioned by the high school. PLEASE STAY INVOLVED.

 

NOTE: At the D200 School Board meeting on MONDAY, AUG 1 the board announced it has chosen Option B. This option tears down the current parking garage and replaces it with a smaller garage and an 8-lane, 40-meter pool. See this LINK to the agenda for that meeting - it contains further links to specific documents with lots of additional details on the three options: https://intranet.oprfhs.org/board-of-education/board_meetings/Special_Meetings/Agendas/2016-17%20Special/20160801%20SPEC%20Agenda.pdf

FINAL DECISION Might Be Announced MONDAY, AUG 1

There is an important school board meeting on MONDAY, AUGUST 1 beginning approximately 6:15 PM (after closed session that starts at 6 PM) - See agenda below. Those not attending can email their comments and concerns to boe@oprfhs.org - Also, here is a LINK to the agenda. It contains further links to specific documents and reports mentioned in the agenda which give lots of additional information. 

 UPDATE - SPECIAL BOARD MEETING THURSDAY, JULY 28 TO REVIEW POOL OPTIONS

Thursday, July 28 at 6:00 PM at the High School is a Special Meeting of the D200 School Board - the primary issue on the agenda is the swimming pool. Public comment is welcome. If you are unable to attend this meeting, you may send your comments to BOE@oprfhs.org. Here's the AGENDA:

For a complete history of this issue since the petition for referendum forced the high school to reevaluate its options, follow this LINK to our facebook page with a summary of events since last December. 

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

COMMUNITY MEETINGS SOLICITED FEEDBACK ON THREE POOL OPTIONS

Once again, the D200 School Board is hosting community meetings to present the three options under consideration for pool and facility improvements.  These are:

• $22 million to REBUILD the two current pools, while maintaining the existing parking garage

• $42 million to BUILD a NEW parking garage structure that will include a new pool

• $50 million to BUILD a new UNDERGROUND structure for a new pool, maintaining the existing parking garage

• ALL options include a competition-sized pool plus additional improvements and/or expansion of existing instructional spaces, most notably for the performing arts (music and theater) with total costs (for the pool and facilities upgrades) estimated to range from  $39 million to $64 million. For DETAILS of the pool & facilities options, see the chart at this LINK

The meetings are scheduled for TUESDAY, JULY 19 at 7:00 PM at OPRFHS and WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 at the PRIORY Campus of Dominican University - Aula Auditorium (here's a LINK with a map) The meetings are expected to last about 2 hours, with the same format followed each night.  Please attend and share your thoughts if possible.  If you are not able to attend, please let the School Board know your concerns by sending an e-mail to: BOE@oprfhs.org.  The board has also contracted with a market research company to do a telephone survey during that same week in an effort to reach additional community members.

The goal is for the board to have the information it needs to make a decision on a final option at its meeting on Monday, August 1.  At that time it will also determine how to finance the project  and what portion will be bonded and what will come from reserves.  On August 16 they will discuss the wording of the referendum question.  The final DEADLINE by which the referendum question must be submitted in order to appear on the ballot in November is Monday, August 22.