Belvidere School Board Approves Tax Referendum on April Ballot

Belvidere, IL - Belvidere School Board members unanimously approved putting a 35 cent tax increase referendum on the April 17th ballot at Tuesdays meeting. Thats the bare minimum needed to open the new high school in the fall and restore the $2.3 million in budget cuts approved last week that include all sports and extracurricular activities. Board members first rejected a motion to put a 45 cent tax increase on the ballot. They say they know the district needs to deal with long-term growth issues, but they should only ask for what the community could tolerate. "We know what our needs are," says Ted Stenerson, School Board President. "We realize that sometimes our needs outweigh what were able to gain in a single referendum." Pamela Barr, a Belvidere parent, was the only person to speak to the board about the referendum. She "begged" the board to only ask for the minimum amount to keep the sports and extracurricular programs in tact. "By asking for the bare minimum of what they originally asked for, I think it puts a little more trust into the board," says Barr. "I think we have a better chance of getting that money." Board members agreed unanimously. They say the choice of a 35 cent tax increase gives them the best opportunity to pass the referendum. "What Id like to be able to do is avoid the budget cuts weve talked about," says Stenerson. "We have them in place now. We know what they will be. We can communicate that to the people so theyre very clear on what the alternatives are." "I think now the community is aware and really making an effort to find out whats going on," says Lisa Gorman Perez, a School Board Member. "I think theyll come through. I hope they do." If passed, the 35 cent tax rate increase would mean approximately a $116 a year tax increase on a $100,000 house. Board members say this wont be the last referendum voters are asked to approve in the near future. They say theyll need to address the long term growth issues facing the district, specifically the overcrowding at the middle schools.