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Mahomet‑Seymour board weighs four capital options, including $130 million referendum to ease overcrowding
Summary
Board members debated four facilities plans ranging from doing nothing to a $130 million referendum to build a new junior high and renovate Lincoln Trail; staff outlined tax impacts and a likely timeline that could put a ballot question on the June calendar if the board decides to run a referendum.
The Mahomet‑Seymour CUSD 3 Board of Education spent the bulk of its March 23 meeting debating four capital options to address overcrowding and aging facilities, including a referendum plan that could cost about $130 million.
Superintendent Dr. Lee summarized the choices and their trade‑offs, describing Option A as the most comprehensive: "That would cost a $130,000,000," he said, listing a new junior high, Lincoln Trail Elementary renovations, a new transportation and grounds facility and relocating the soccer field. Dr. Lee and finance staff laid out estimated household impacts, saying, "So as a reminder, that would be $648 a year for a $450,000 home" under the option's tax model.
Why it matters: board members framed the discussion as a balance between long‑term planning and short‑term disruption. Several trustees urged the district to take a long view rather than repeatedly asking voters for smaller fixes. "To me, option A is the best one," one board member said, arguing that a single comprehensive project would set the district up for decades of growth. Others countered that smaller projects or phased plans could reduce immediate tax pressure.
Staff highlighted timing constraints and next steps. Finance staff said bond sale timing would likely put first payments in 2029 if bonds were sold in 2028, and estimated that construction could begin in fall 2027 if the board placed and won a referendum. Board members emphasized communication and outreach, citing recent local referendums and the need to present a clearer message this time. Dr. Lee asked trustees to review the options and indicate a leaning at the April meeting so staff could prepare ballot language if needed: "If we're going to run a referendum, we're going to need to have a question on the ballot at the June meeting," he said.
No formal decision to place a referendum on the ballot was made at the meeting. Trustees asked for more detailed financial projections and outreach plans and requested that staff return with answers to specific questions before any final vote.
Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 640; discussion through SEG 1062.
Next steps: staff to provide more detailed cash‑flow projections, tax‑impact scenarios and a recommended communications plan; board to indicate a preliminary preference by the April meeting.
