Schools

Homewood School Referendum Passes: "153 Will Not be Taking a Large Step Towards Average" [Video]

Homewood School District 153's $7.5 million tax referendum passed on Election Day with 80 percent approval.

A boisterous cheer erupted from the referendum party at as initial precinct reports came in around 7:30 p.m. with 80 percent voting “Yes.”

The percentage hardly budged as remaining precincts reported in. Despite the failure of every other referendum in Cook County, passed with a final count of 2,588 votes “Yes” to 657 votes “No,” just shy of 80 percent approval.

Alex Bosch, co-chair of referendum-backing organization Citizens for Homewood Schools, said 100 to 150 volunteers and 850 yard signs were used in the effort to promote the referendum.

Find out what's happening in Homewood-Flossmoorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“People got together and had an opportunity to learn about the community, talk about the community, talk with each other, even if they weren’t for it,” Bosch said. “It was a great community building opportunity. This was a tough issue that brought people together.”

Tom Dockweiler, the other co-chair of Citizens for Homewood Schools, stood in front of the crowd and tore up his “just in case” backup speech.

Find out what's happening in Homewood-Flossmoorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“In all honesty I thought we had it, all along I thought we had it. (But) I never thought we had it like this,” Dockweiler said. “This happened because of the quality of 153.”

Board President Shelly Marks said this was the most fun she’s ever had.

“I think that, tomorrow, my smile muscles are going to hurt,” Marks said. “We didn’t just win, we made a statement.”

Superintendent Dale Mitchell’s elation nearly rendered him speechless.

“It’s hard to express, I just feel great,” Mitchell said. “I’ve been part of this community for the past 17 years and it’s just … amazing.”

Among the results made possible with the approved $7.5 million bond issue, at will be retained. A significant number of will be avoided as well.

According to Dockweiler, in reference to a , “153 will not be taking a large step towards average.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here