District 64 seeks to address its highest-priority capital facility needs, with a special focus on health, safety, and security upgrades; mechanical and infrastructure improvements; and improvements to instructional and student support spaces.

Yes. The Board of Education was originally considering more than $145 million of districtwide capital facility improvements. The District reduced the request by approximately $40 million this spring. After additional public input, including public opinion research, the proposal was further downsized by $9 million in August 2024. The size of the bond referendum that will appear on the ballot is $89,106,629 million.

More than $5.2 million of the facility improvements that were eliminated from the bond referendum will be addressed with non-referendum funds on a pay-as-you-go basis from the Capital Improvement Fund.

District 64’s bond referendum will appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot as a question: Shall the Board of Education of Park Ridge-Niles Community Consolidated School District Number 64, Cook County, Illinois, alter, repair and equip existing buildings, build and equip additions thereto and improve school sites, including but not limited to improving safety and security; replacing roofs, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC and air quality systems; updating classrooms and science labs; installing energy-efficient improvements; increasing accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act; and adding space for special education; and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $89,106,629 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

A bond measure is a method of borrowing that school districts use to pay for larger capital investments, similar to the way people take out mortgages to purchase their homes. Proceeds of a bond measure are often used for school renovations and additions.

It has been 27 years since district voters approved a bond referendum for capital improvements. The 1997 voter-approved bond measure funded the construction of Emerson Middle School. Link to school building timeline and referenda.

Yes. Many of our peer districts and other districts in our area have passed bond referenda for school building upgrades, including Maine 207, Elmhurst 205, Glenview 34, Palatine 15, Arlington Heights 25, Winnetka 36, and Northbrook-Glenview 30.

The District’s schools range in age from 26 to 96 years old. Three were built in 1928 and three were constructed in the 1950s, as noted in the following list: Field Elementary School (1928) Lincoln Middle School (1928) Roosevelt Elementary School (1928) Carpenter Elementary School (1950) Washington Elementary School (1953) Franklin Elementary School (1956) Emerson Middle School (1998)

The District allocates approximately $8.3 million annually toward the operation and maintenance of its seven school buildings. About $2.5 million of the District’s yearly budget is also earmarked for larger capital improvement projects. While these funds play a critical role in helping protect and improve our school buildings, they are not sufficient to address the major capital facility needs that have been identified.

District 64 has already allocated a significant amount of its reserves to capital facility improvements in recent years. For example, $38 million was invested in renovations needed for full-day kindergarten, programming that will soon be mandated by the State. The District also seeks to maintain a base level of reserves for ongoing operations, and emergency needs, as well as to protect its credit rating, which has a direct impact on borrowing costs.

The District 64 Board of Education unanimously voted to place an $89,106,629 million bond referendum on the November 5, 2024 ballot.

Yes. The cost becomes significantly higher each year the District waits. For example, if the District waited for five years and construction inflation was 4%, the cost would increase by more than $19.3 million.

Lincoln Middle School, at 96 years old, has the most facility challenges by far, including outdated plumbing, HVAC, roofing, lighting, interior doors, and flooring. There is asbestos throughout the building, and the instructional spaces, commons areas, and student support spaces are woefully outdated.

Not only would it be much more expensive to replace Lincoln Middle School than to renovate it, but there is strong community support to protect and preserve the historic school. Many current residents have moved back to the District so their children can attend this iconic school. It is also much more sustainable to renovate the middle school. The carbon footprint impact of constructing a new school is significantly higher than renovating the existing school.

While the challenges are not to the same extent as those faced at Lincoln Middle School, Emerson has many facility needs, including outdated HVAC, roofing, plumbing, electrical and lighting, interior doors, and fencing. The science labs are also outdated, and the band, choir, and orchestra rooms are undersized. Additionally, the gym entrance has foundation issues, and the special education spaces are overcrowded and poorly configured.

Like the two middle schools, there are a variety of pressing facility challenges at each of the elementary schools. Four of the schools have outdated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and two of the schools have foundation issues. All of the elementary schools have aging roofing, plumbing, and electrical systems; dated, inefficient lighting; outdated interior doors and frames; and asbestos abatement needs.

The identification and prioritization of capital facility needs was accomplished through the continuation of a master facilities planning process. This included a comprehensive audit of District 64’s facilities by architects and engineers; input from District leadership, staff, teachers, and community members; and other community engagement efforts.

The referendum would fund new fire alarm systems, interior classroom doors and frames, asbestos abatement, ADA accessibility, exterior fencing and railings, and moving the cafeteria out of the basement at Lincoln Middle School.

Bond proceeds would go toward improvements to foundations, roofing, gutters, plumbing, electrical, and lighting.

The plan calls for upgrades to science labs as well as band, choir, and orchestra rooms at the middle schools.

A portion of the bond proceeds would go toward an addition to Lincoln Middle School, which would include a cafeteria/commons area, kitchen, and serving area. Additions to accommodate special education programming and student support services are also planned for both Field and Franklin Elementary Schools.

Approximately 56% of the funds would go toward improvements to the two middle schools and 44% toward the five elementary schools.

There are many anticipated benefits, including: Protecting academic excellence Creating healthier, safer, and more secure schools Investing in long-term solutions rather than funding costly and disruptive temporary fixes Extending the useful life of existing facilities Enhancing ADA accessibility Ensuring each District 64 student has access to a quality learning environment Improving energy efficiency, saving taxpayer dollars Attracting and retaining quality teachers Protecting property values

The District estimates that it could save more than $300,000 annually with updated HVAC systems, new LED lighting, and the replacement of failing plumbing.

There is nothing more important than keeping students and staff healthy, safe, and secure, which the proposed improvements would help do. In addition, the condition, size, and/or configuration of classrooms, science labs, performing arts spaces, student support spaces, and teacher collaboration spaces are negatively impacting programming, student support, and the ability to attract and retain quality teachers. Furthermore, emergency repairs can be expensive and extremely disruptive to day-to-day programming.

If voters approve the proposed bond referendum, construction would begin as soon as the Summer of 2025. It is estimated that all of the improvements could be completed within two years. Similar to the approach successfully used by Maine High School District 207, much of the work would be addressed during the summer months as well as during after-school hours.

The following is a breakdown of the estimated annual tax impact of the proposed 25-year, $89.106 million bond measure by home value as determined by the County Assessor:

Go to: https://www.d64.org/referendum-2024-tax-calculator

Yes. Click HERE to see a sampling of some of our most pressing building infrastructure issues.