Schools

League of Women Voters Support Homewood School Referendum

The H-F League of Women Voters recently voted to support School District 153's proposed tax referendum.

The League of Women Voters of the H-F Area recently voted in favor of recommending proposed tax referendum that will appear on the April 5th ballot. 

The would generate $7.5 million for District 153 by means of a seven-year tax increase for local residents.

The League based their decision to support the referendum on a stringent set of criteria that they maintain for local school referenda. This criteria, taken straight from League's handbook, requires evaluation of “program review, citizen participation, long-range planning, cost-effective measures and supplemental revenue, and demonstration of need.”

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

League President Erin Roeper explained to Patch, in more detail, why her organization has made this decision.

What were the key elements of 153’s proposed tax referendum that made the League decide to support it?

The school district has clearly demonstrated the need for a referendum.(District) 153 spends way below the state average per pupil payments, yet it has maintained a stellar school district. It has made many cuts in programming, but still has focused on providing a quality education for all students.  Quite impressive is that none of the staff, administrators and support services alike, received a pay raise this year.  Last year the unionized staff voted to join non-union staff in freezing pay to help the school district weather their fiscal crisis. Put all this, and much more, together, and the League feels that the referendum deserves our support.

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

What good do you see in supporting the referendum?

Supporting this referendum shows that we recognize the superb job that the high quality staff and meaningful programs have provided for the children of District 153 for these past many years. We would like the district to be able to maintain this extensive programming while ensuring the district's financial stability without relying so much on actions in Springfield.

Why should other people support it?

We agree with the statement made in the district proposal: "In addition to maintaining property values, good schools contribute to the overall quality of life in a community for all residents.  Research shows that the single most attractive strategy for luring business and middle-income people to a community is to maintain a top-quality school system.  Good schools are associated with good property values, a low juvenile crime rate and a temperate tax rate."

Note: This article has been corrected to reflect the correct term of the tax increase.


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