In a surprising turn of events, the school board of District 302 has announced plans to request a whopping $140.7 million from the taxpayers, despite the recent rejection of a much smaller $57.5 million request. The new proposal is part of a plan to fund the construction of a second middle school and make other necessary improvements in the district.
The announcement has sparked controversy among the district's taxpayers. The previous request for $57.5 million was rejected by a margin of nearly 2 to 1 in the November election, leading some to question whether this significantly larger request will gain any traction. However, the board has argued that the additional funding is necessary to accommodate the district's growing student population and aging facilities.
According to the board, the new middle school will help address the overcrowding problem in the district's existing middle school. Furthermore, the additional funds will be used to upgrade various school facilities, including the construction of science labs and other classroom additions at the high school level. Additionally, the district plans to use part of the funding to improve safety and security throughout its schools, including upgrading fire alarm systems and installing secure entrances.
Despite these valid reasons, the new proposal has faced opposition from taxpayers who believe that the district's spending has become excessive. Critics argue that the district should focus on managing its current resources more effectively rather than seeking additional funding. They are also concerned about the potential increase in property taxes that would result from the approval of the $140.7 million request.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the district will be able to convince its taxpayers to support the new funding request. The outcome will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the future of District 302 and its ability to provide quality education for its students.