Local voters have appeared to say yes to a $59.4 million referendum at Winnetka District 36, according to unofficial results.
With all 10 precincts reporting, nearly 64% of voters said yes to the borrowing plan, with nearly 36% opposed, according to unofficial vote totals.
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“We are cautiously optimistic about the results so far and that this positions us to make the necessary upgrades to our five schools that will support our students and staff,” District 36 School Board President Emily Rose said late Tuesday night. “We are grateful for our community’s engagement through this entire process and we are optimistic about the future.”
District 36 officials placed the bond sale referendum in front of voters with the goal of making improvements at all five of the district’s schools. They were hoping residents would support a plan that carries an additional estimated $929 per year in property taxes on a home valued at $1 million for the next 20 years.
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Overall, the district estimates the projects will cost $82.6 million, but the district has already spent $14 million as part of a capital plan and intends to use $9 million in district reserves for the balance.
The vote is a reversal from 2019 when voters rejected a $90.6 million referendum.
Katie Scullion, an opponent of the referendum, acknowledged the majority of voters were going to say yes this time.
“The district just spent four years on this long term facility plan and now that it has passed, I hope the district and the residents will turn their attention to academic quality concerns,” Scullion said.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
