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Northbrook SD 28 board votes to place $94.9 million school bond on April ballot after mixed discussion
Summary
After public comment and divided board discussion over timing and scope, the Northbrook School District 28 board voted to place a $94,900,000 school building bond proposition on the April 1, 2025 ballot; some members urged delaying to 2026 for more study, while others said momentum and rising costs favor acting now.
The Northbrook School District 28 Board of Education voted Jan. 8 to place a $94,900,000 school building bond proposition on the April 1, 2025 consolidated election ballot after public comment and more than an hour of debate.
Supporters, including parents and members of the district’s facilitating team, told the board that the district’s needs assessment and consultant work show some building elements cannot be retrofitted and that delaying replacement will increase costs. Tamara Reese, a member of the facilitating team and a parent, said the district commissioned a substantial needs assessment and “there are certain parts of our building that are not able to be retrofit, that are not able to be fixed.”
Several residents urged the board to act promptly but asked for clear tax-impact information. Lee Goodman asked the board to provide the percentage increase to the District 28 portion of homeowners’ tax bills; he said his own calculation “looks to me like about a 25% tax increase” and asked the board to clarify the figure before a final decision.
Other speakers urged caution and additional study. An architect who spoke at the meeting described the district’s report as a rough order of magnitude and recommended spending on schematic design to refine costs before committing to a large ask.
Board members were split on timing and scope. A board member identified as Matt thanked the planning team and said the district faces roughly $115 million in infrastructure needs over the coming decade, but recommended postponing the referendum to 2026 to rank priorities and strengthen community outreach, saying the survey showed only about 45% support among respondents. He said, “I can’t support it for this April or in the exact state that it’s currently in.”
Other board members argued the district has momentum and the community can carry out an effective education campaign in the weeks before April. Board member Mara said the time to act is now: “I think the time is now.” The presiding officer echoed confidence in the process and pledged public tools and outreach, including a tax calculator on the district website so residents can see precise impacts.
After discussion the board called the question. The formal motion to submit the proposition passed by recorded vote: Member Cassidy, Member Beef Tank and Member Arms voted Nay; Member Silver Schack, Member Bazer, Member Weinstock and the presiding officer voted Aye. The presiding officer announced, “The motion passes.”
Votes at a glance - Resolution to submit a proposition to issue $94,900,000 in school building bonds to the voters of School District No. 28 (Cook County) at the consolidated election on April 1, 2025 — Outcome: Approved (Aye: Member Silver Schack, Member Bazer, Member Weinstock, Board President; Nay: Member Cassidy, Member Beef Tank, Member Arms). The board did not specify mover/second in the record. - Consent agenda — Outcome: Approved by voice vote (all present answered "Aye").
What’s next The board is placing the bond question on the April 1 ballot. The presiding officer and trustees said the district will publish a tax-impact calculator and step up community education and outreach in advance of the election. Several trustees and residents said they expect further refinement of priorities and costs whether the bond passes or not.
