Schools

Letter to the Editor: District 31 Explains Its Tax Referendum

In response to assessors, District 31 breaks down the effect its proposed tax rate increase would have on voters if passed.

Dear Editor,

The estimated impact District 31’s proposed tax rate increase will have on its taxpayers has recently been questioned.  District 31 maintains the position it has taken since its Board passed the resolution to ask its residents for a tax rate increase:   The tax increase for District 31 residents, if the April 5th referendum passes, is estimated to be $59 per $1,000 property taxes paid.

The wording of the question on the ballot is required by Illinois Statute; it is not the District’s choice of wording.  Unfortunately, the state-mandated wording does not allow taxpayers to correctly calculate their tax increase by following the wording in the ballot.  As paraphrased in in Northbrook Patch, Ali ElSaffar, President of the Cook County Township Assessors Association and Oak Park Township Assessor, said he doesn’t blame District 31 or other school districts for the way the ballots were worded.

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To correctly calculate the tax increase, the following must be considered: 

1)      District 31 is requesting an additional $2.236 million over its 2009 tax revenue.

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2)      The increase in the 2009 tax rate by adding the additional $2.236 million would be .27%.

3)      For 2010, the average decrease in assessed value for residential property in Northfield Township is estimated to be 12% less than 2009.   Therefore, to generate $2.236 M in 2010 will require a .49% increase to the limiting rate.

4)      The bottom line is that .27% is to $2.236 million in 2009 is the same as .49% is to $2.236 million in 2010. 

For those taxpayers who would like to see the calculations used based on a Northbrook tax rate of 4.669, the following is provided:

If a resident’s total tax rate for 2009 is 4.669, and the district is requesting a $2.236 million tax increase, the calculation for the increase in the tax rate is determined by dividing the increase of $2.236 million by the 2009 EAV of $814,495,058 which equals .0027 or .27%. The .27 % increase divided by the total tax rate of 4.669 equals approximately 5.9%, which is the increase voters would experience in their tax bill. 5.9% times a $1,000 tax bill equals $59 for each $1,000 of taxes paid. 

District 31 would also like to respond to additional questions being asked by voters.

1)       Has District 31 received the $1.78 million due from the State Construction Grant? 

Yes, the Construction Grant was awarded to the district approximately seven years ago and for which the district has been carrying a deficit in its operations and maintenance fund was received from the State in January.  This grant money has been included in the 10 year financial projections used to calculate the $2.236 million requested through the April 2011 referendum question. 

2)      How will the additional $2.236 million in revenue be used? 

The vast majority of these additional funds will be spent on operations, such as maintaining and improving the educational programs identified through the district’s Five Year Strategic Plan and to pay tax refunds to Allstate and others, with the remaining portion being spent on facilities.  The exact use would be determined by the Board of Education and the Administration with input from the community. 

3)       Why did the District complete a Facilities Study? 

Due to the lack of funds, the District has made minimal repairs and improvements to its facilities.  The Facilities Study was used to identify life safety, infrastructure, and other building improvements that must be completed over the next five to ten years.  Approximately $4M in life safety and infrastructure items must be addressed as soon as possible.  Further discussions will take place prior to deciding which improvements will be pursued. 

4)       What types of budget reductions will occur should the referendum fail? 

District 31 will make over $1 million in cuts for the 2011-12 school year if the referendum fails.  These cuts will be formally approved and announced at the April 14 Board of Education meeting.  The main areas that will undergo budget cuts include the following: certified staff, extra and co-curricular activities, technology, student transportation, facilities, summer programs, formal communications, and classroom supplies. 

IN CLOSING 

DISTRICT 31 has worked diligently to provide accurate estimates of the impact the limiting rate increase would have on its residential taxpayers and has worked diligently to remain transparent with its needs and intended uses for these additional revenues.  

Dr. Alexandra Nicholson

Superintendent of West Northfield School District 31


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