Iroquois district outlines $23 million capital project; officials say state aid and reserves will prevent local tax increase
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Summary
District staff described a $23 million capital project that would replace boilers and roofs at primary schools and the high school, with a November 18 vote scheduled; officials said state aid and capital reserves will cover most costs and the project is structured to avoid a local tax increase.
IROQUOIS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT — District officials reviewed the scope and financing of a proposed $23 million capital project and reminded the public the project will be voted on Nov. 18 in the intermediate gymnasium.
John (district staff) told the board the work targets building‑systems priorities identified in a recent building condition survey and said the $23 million package focuses on heating systems, roof replacements and, if bids allow, electrical upgrades at the high school. “We want this to be a tax free project,” John said, explaining the district plans to combine state building aid, existing capital reserves and modest use of fund balance so local tax rates would not increase because of the project.
Officials showed an estimate of about $16 million in expected state building aid and noted the district currently holds roughly $5.6 million in a capital reserve. The district said annual debt service payments are currently lower than state aid for building projects, which administrators said is the reason they can structure this package without new local property tax. The board was given the vote details: Nov. 18, 7:30 a.m.–9 p.m., intermediate gymnasium.
Board members asked staff to explain how the project was prioritized. John said priority work addresses original‑system boilers and control upgrades (direct digital controls and unit ventilators) at primary schools, roof replacements at Wales and the high‑school single‑story roof, and possible electrical distribution work as an alternate if bids are favorable. The district said the Wales roof will be replaced with a system that includes new drains and a 30‑year warranty.
Several board members said they hear neighbors’ concerns about overall tax burdens and welcomed the district’s explanation that the capital plan is structured to avoid a local tax increase. The district also noted that state aid for building projects is the same mechanism the district has used in prior projects.
The board was directed to the district website, which posted the project scope, a newsletter and a presentation, and staff asked community members to contact district offices with questions ahead of the vote.
