Change Happens Global technology is changing at an ever-increasing rate. Educators endeavor to prepare students for the world they will encounter upon completing their K-12 journey. The presentation below provides some startling facts about our competitive world. The DeKalb School District 428 mission statement reads: "Our mission is to educate our students to reach their potential while preparing them to contribute to our global society." Double-click on the arrow below the viewing window to start this six minute presentation titled, "Change Happens" (You may need to refresh the browser in order to see the video viewer). Report to the Board of Education - Presented by Tom Teresinski, Chairperson, Facilities Planning Committee. This report is the culmination of thousands of hours of work completed by dozens of citizens over a two year period (2005-2007). FPC Presentation from 10/16/2007 (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) Overview of the FPC proposal: Request approval from voters on 2/5/08 for the sale of bonds for the following purposes: 1) Construction of a new high school facility on a new site. The Board of Education has approved a resolution to execute a contract for purchase of approximately 75 acres north of Dresser Road between 1st Street and Annie Glidden (adjacent to Katz Park). The purchase is contingent upon approval of the referendum by voters. The proposed location is a result of feedback from the community, indicating a desire for a more desirable location than a previously proposed site adjacent to NIU student housing. The property is being purchased at a cash price considerably lower than the appraised value. Projected opening will be fall, 2011 or earlier. 2) Repurpose the current high school as a middle school (will become Huntley Middle School). Fall, 2011 or earlier. 3) Repurpose Huntley Middle School as Chesebro Elementary School. Fall 2011. 4) Repurpose Chesebro Elementary School as a Pre-K/Early Childhood Center. This will allow for additional capacity at numerous elementary schools throughout the district. Fall, 2011. 5) Construct new elementary (location will be announced soon). Projected opening, Fall, 2009. 6) The anticipated real estate tax levy impact for a homeowner with a property valued at $200,000 will be about $22-27 dollars per month.
Please direct any questions to: referendum@dist428.org. Double click on the arrow below to view a preliminary 3D representation of the proposed high school facility (hosted by YouTube and cannot be viewed inside D428 network):
Double click on the arrow below to view a 3D representation of the proposed new elementary school (hosted by YouTube and cannot be viewed inside D428 network): Frequently Asked Questions Q: Why didn't the FPC recommend a new high school be built on land already owned by School District 428? A: This possibility of constructing a new high school on land purchased in 2002 was one of more than one dozen options considered by the Facilities Planning Committee and five that were presented to community and focus groups this year. The overwhelming response from all groups was to build a new facility either on the existing open land or a new site, rather than build yet another addition to the existing facility. The FPC did not recommend the new high school to be located on Fairview Street west of 4th Street for the following reasons: Q: Couldn't an addition be built onto the high school instead of building a new one? A: That was a consideration, but the FPC was charged with providing a cost-effective solution for adding classroom capacity. Merely building an addition rather than providing additional capacity for elementary and middle school students would have required an additional elementary and middle school facility prior to 2017, costing taxpayers an additional $48 million ($33 million for a middle school, and $15 million for an elementary). Click here for breakdown of renovation costs. Q: I have heard a few people say that the reason the new high school would cost more to build than a renovation and addition to the existing high school is that it is a "Cadillac" of a high school. A: The correct answer is that the proposed new high school and elementary school are "a nice Chevy". Both school costs fall about at the midrange of costs for recently constructed schools. Click here for a detailed breakdown of estimated costs. Q: I heard a proposed location for the new high school was adjacent to Northern Illinois University. Is this true? A: At the community focus groups, a proposed location near the NIU housing area was discussed. While such a location had some merits, feedback from the community was not favorable. The Board of Education has secured rights to a 75-80 acre parcel of property, north of Dresser Road and immediately west of Katz Park. The property acquisition is contingent upon a successful outcome of the referendum. The cash purchase price is considerably below current appraised market value.
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Frequently Asked Questions (cont'd) Q: Where will the new elementary school be located? A: That issue is also under discussion currently. At this time, the district does not own land suitable for a new elementary school. Land has been offered by a developer on the east side of the district. It is hoped that an announcement regarding a site will be able to be made shortly as well. Q: How much will this cost me as a taxpayer if it is approved? A: The total amount of bonds to be sold is expected to be $110 million once voters approve the first phase of the Master Facility Plan on February 5th. For a homeowner with property valued at $200,000 this should mean an increase between $22 and $27 per month. You may use the Referendum Tax Impact Calculator located at the lower left of this page to determine the approximate impact for your property. Q: Where can I see or participate in a presentation? A: There will be numerous opportunities to attend events in the month of January. One of the best will be on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at DeKalb High School. Current students will provide tours beginning at 6:00 p.m. starting from the main lobby. A presentation, including a question and answer period will begin at 7:00 p.m. Large artist concept drawings will be available that will show approximations of the layout, design, and appearance of the new and renovated facilities. Q: If I want to help the campaign, how do I do that? A: The school district is able to provide information only. For this reason, a citizen referendum committee has been established. The ReNew Our Schools committee is meeting every Thursday, at 6:30 p.m. at Castle Bank, 141 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb. There are several subcommittees meeting on various days. Q: Where do I vote? A: Voters must be registered by January, 8, 2008. You may register at City offices, Village and Township Clerks, most area banks, Kishwaukee College, Northern Illinois University, public libraries, and Democratic and Republican representatives. Refer to your voter registration card for the correct polling place information. A complete list is available below. Q: Can I vote before February 5th A: Early voting can be completed until January 31st at the office of the County Clerk in Sycamore. Information provided by DeKalb County Office of Elections
If you think you might not be able to get to the polls on February 5, 2008, you may request an absentee ballot. Voting by Absentee Ballot The following voters must be registered to vote by absentee ballot: Voters who expect to be absent from the county on election day and still maintain a residence within the county; Physically incapacitated voters who will be unable to go to the polling place on election day. Voters, who because of a religious holiday, will not be able to go to the polls on election day and sequestered jurors. Absentee Voting By Mail A registered voter who meets the above qualifications may request an official "Application for Absentee Ballot". A request for the official application must include the name and home address of the applicant and the address to which the application should be sent. The official "Application for Absentee Ballot" may be sent to the County Clerk not more than 40 nor less than five days prior to the election. If the official application is filed within that time and is properly completed, ballots will be mailed to the applicant. All ballots, whether used or not, must be returned to the County Clerk's office. In order for ballots to be counted, they must be returned to the County Clerk's office and postmarked by midnight the day "BEFORE" the election. Absentee Voting In Person Registered voters who expect to be absent from the county on election day may vote in person at the office of the County Clerk during normal business hours beginning 40 days prior to the election through the day prior to the election.
Do you have a question you do not see answered here? Email the referendum and get your answers! Email: Frequently Asked Questions |
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