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Community committee backs nearly $82 million Renew 102 plan, urges April bond referendum
Summary
A community-led Renew 102 committee recommended modernizing La Grange SD 102 facilities with an approximately $82,000,000 plan and urged the board to let voters decide via an April 1 bond referendum; presenters said a special board meeting Jan. 7 will decide whether to place it on the ballot.
A community-led advisory group on Thursday recommended that La Grange SD 102 ask voters to approve an approximately $82,000,000 bond measure to upgrade aging school infrastructure, expand accessibility and create a 6–8 middle school model.
The recommendation came as committee presenters described community engagement carried out since September, including building tours, two workshops and an online survey that yielded more than 1,000 responses. The presenters said the recommended program would address critical systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical and structural repairs), add elevators at Casa and Ogden, create new STEM and classroom spaces and build a new cafeteria at Forest Road and a new gym at Casa.
“The process has been insightful,” said Kathleen Valenta, a community leader on the Renew 102 effort, thanking volunteers and families for input that shaped the plan. Presenters said the committee’s preferred option is the nearly $82 million plan and recommended that the board give the community a chance to vote on it.
Consultants explained how the proposal might be funded: they recommended using $8,000,000 from existing district funds, continuing annual budget contributions to support work, and identifying an additional $20,000,000 to accelerate critical needs. Presenters also cited a facility assessment that identified more than $35,000,000 in urgent needs over the next 5–10 years.
Survey results presented at the meeting showed initial favorability of about 62.6% before cost information; after respondents were shown cost estimates, overall favorability declined to roughly 55.4%, while reported parent support was about 71%. The presenters said an April bond referendum in Illinois requires 50% plus one vote to pass.
“The time is now,” said a presenter urging urgency to avoid higher future costs and further falling behind neighboring districts. The committee suggested placing the bond referendum on the April 1 ballot. Presenters said the board will hold a special meeting on Jan. 7 to hear public comment and vote on whether to place the question before voters.
Board members and attendees asked questions about survey sampling, communication strategies to explain the relationship between shifting sixth graders to a middle school and relieving overcrowding, and practical benefits such as reduced transportation costs for science programming. Several board members praised the community engagement process and encouraged continued outreach.
The committee’s recommendation is advisory; no board vote to place the referendum on the ballot was recorded at Thursday’s meeting. The board scheduled a special meeting on Jan. 7 to receive public comment and act on whether to put the Renew 102 proposal on the April ballot.
