Last year, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation that allowed District 150 to request funds from the Public Building Commission (PBC) for the purposes of constructing new school buildings. The money for that construction will be collected from the property taxes of residents within District 150 without their consent. If the legislation had not been passed, the school district would have had to ask the voters through a referendum for the money to build the schools.
The standard argument is that it’s impossible to pass a referendum because no one votes to raise their own taxes. If we had to wait for a referendum to pass, we would never get new school buildings, supporters of the legislation claim. When asked on the State Senate floor why the school board hasn’t tried a referendum, then-Senator Shadid could only muster this argument:
I can only tell you that when I tried to build a county jail, we had three referendums that failed and we finally had to go to the public building commission in 1985 to get a jail built that was to replace the jail that was a hundred and twenty-five years old.
Translation: Since it was so difficult twenty-two years ago to pass a referendum to build a jail, obviously it will be impossible now to get a referendum passed to build new schools.
But more and more evidence to the contrary is piling up. Just last year, the Peoria Public Library put a referendum on the ballot asking for residents to raise their own taxes so the library could modernize and build a new branch in the north part of town. And now, there’s news out of Normal, Illinois that (gasp!) voters passed a referendum allowing the school district there to build new schools:
The referendum to issue $96.7 million in building bonds passed 12,049 to 8,543, or about 59 percent to 41 percent. The proposal to raise property taxes by 10 cents per $100 equalized assessed valuation passed 10,625 to 10,118, or about 51 percent to about 49 percent. … Voters OK’d building two new elementary schools and a middle school, expanding Sugar Creek Elementary School, renovating existing eight schools and installing security and technology improvements to 15 schools.
Note that in Normal, their taxes will actually be going up, not simply staying the same as older bonds are paid off as is reportedly the case in Peoria. My question is, if Normal can do it, why can’t Peoria? Why is the Peoria school district afraid to ask voters for their okay? Why do they insist on doing an end run around the democratic process by going to the PBC?
I think the difference is this: the entity asking for money has to make their case to their constituents. They have to make their case, and they have to make it convincingly. The school board has shown an inability to do either of those things, especially the latter. People are concerned about student performance and safety, and this spending spree for new buildings will address neither of those concerns. In fact, it diverts effort and attention away from the main problems.
Without the support of the electorate, the school board has to find a way to get the money from their constituents without their consent, and state legislators (helped along by some false statements by Aaron Schock) were more than happy to oblige.
Nevertheless, our school board members and legislators enjoy high approval ratings, if yesterday’s election was any indication. First district school board member Martha Ross ran unopposed for another term. Rep. Schock collected over 70% of the vote for the 18th Congressional race, despite his de facto raising of District 150 residents’ taxes.
Incidentally, they also passed a referendum in Rochester, Illinois (just outside of Springfield) for $26 million in school construction money. All these cities are defying the odds, apparently.
“My question is, if Normal can do it, why can’t Peoria? Why is the Peoria school district afraid to ask voters for their okay? Why do they insist on doing an end run around the democratic process by going to the PBC?”
I’d be happy to give the school district more property tax money IF I saw some fiscal responsibility AND more positive classroom results. But do I (we)? Peorians would have to be braindead to vote to give Hinton & Co. more hard-earned money when we see them buy $900,000 worth of houses they weren’t 100% sure they could tear down, $700,000 on a piece of property for which we know they overpaid and give assistants temporary raises while the boss is out (who gets a temporary raise when their boss is out? I just get more work. Hello? Anyone? Buehler?).
Show me some fiscal responsibility with what you have plus some improved grades and I’ll vote to give more money. Maybe Normal residents are pleased with their administration and are willing to dig deep and help out. I feel sorry for the kids who may have to suffer, but I have difficulty shelling out hard-earned cash for an administration that friviously spends money faster than a drunk at a strip club.
Like my mom used to say “You SHOULD have money from your paper route, so go buy one yourself. I’m not going to as you don’t take care of the one you have.”
Incidently they also voted for a documented thief in the 92d over a respected attorney. Go figure.
Where have You been, CJ? It’s because of ” residents ” like Chef Kevin that District 150 avoids public referendums. Notice His ” Hinton & Co. ” remark in reference to the board?
The ” Chef Kevins “, of the world, would punish the, entire, student population because of Their opposition to an administration. Neither the federal or state government, NOR Any wealthy donors was supplying the School District the money to replace dilapidated school buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century…. a civic embarrassment.
It’s SINFUL how many Peorians, so often, despise Our public school system instead of attempting to help It! ALL because of Who it serves…. mostly, inner-city and low-income youths.
(Former)District 150, Superintendent John Strand was the, MAIN, catalyst behind the Valeska Hinton and Woodruff Middle Schools construction. He, also, planned to replace Harrison School. But, He faced enormous opposition from Opponents against replacing inner-city schools. Therefore, District 150 sought the Public Building Commission’s assistance…. One of the reasons It’s created for.
Some Peorians are, STILL, bitter about the Civic Center not being on a, public, referendum. Solely, so that They could have the pleasure of defeating It! Does Anyone, seriously, believe Peoria would have ANY sort of a Downtown remaining without It? And, by the way, CJ…. the Peoria Public Library was successful because It initiated a, clever and long-running, public campaign to encourage public support for It’s, worthy, cause. But, It’s NOT the school district!
We, ALL, Who care about District 150 should be praising It’s board for accomplishment. If ANY, taxpayers, don’t want to support Their local school system They should leave that community. Therefore, Please leave Peoria ” Chef Kevin “!
WE who, ACTUALLY, care about This city and It’s public schools will gladly stay and sacrifice OUR ” hard-earned ” taxes for the sakes of children’s education.
Peoria –
What part of my response of “I’d be happy to give the school district more property tax money IF I saw some fiscal responsibility AND more positive classroom results” did you NOT understand? I could give 100% of my paycheck to D150 but how much would it benefit the kids if D150 continue their spend happy ways? Yes, I feel sorry for the kids, but I don’t think the Peoria County Collector will let me give my property tax dollars straight to the them. Tell, me, Peorian, how are all those homes sitting empty along Prospect helping to educate our kids? Maybe high school children in business related classes will learn a lesson in what NOT to do. You can not sit at your computer and honestly tell me you are happy about YOUR tax dollars supporting that “financial decision”. Good suggestion about me moving; I should move to a school district where my tax dollars are respected instead of squandered. The East Bluff could use another rental property.
Chef Kevin,
It’s settled, Then! Take Your, little, ” paycheck and property tax dollars ” and Move on. I WON’T STOP YOU! And Yes, I can sit HAPPILY at My computer and say I’m, VERY, glad My tax dollars are supporting District 150’s ” financial decision “. AND, I’m not losing ANY sleep about It either!
Why veil Your protest, Chef Kevin? You and I, Both, know What Your objections are REALLY about! Don’t We? People like You, would NEVER see Any ” fiscal responsibility “, ” positive classroom results “, or value in supporting Public Schools…whether or not It’s District 150. Dare You REALLY say Why?
AND, ABOUT THOSE EMPTY HOMES ALONG PROSPECT…. Don’t worry! They won’t sit empty for long. They’ll soon be filled with, WILLING, taxpayers supporting District 150. But, Why let THAT concern You since You’re moving?
Peoria – Now that I’m off the floor from laughing at your last post, what, pray tell, are my REAL objections? I’d like to know.
But I’ll let you live in your little fantasy world believing that D 150 is doing a wonderfully terrific job that deserves the highest praise for their efforts and that their spending practices should not be questioned.
And just to burst your bubble, I’m staying in my East Bluff home. I like the neighborhood; always have as there are some really good people here.