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District outlines timeline and ballot language for $68 million Central Middle School referendum
Summary
Evergreen Park School District 124 presented a facilities timeline and recommended ballot language that would ask voters to authorize $68 million in bonds to replace Central Middle School, with board action required in August to meet a November ballot deadline and a tentative opening in August 2029 if approved.
Evergreen Park School District 124 officials on June 17 presented a facilities and election timeline that would put a $68 million bond referendum before Cook County voters if the board approves an election resolution in August.
Dr. Jennifer Little summarized the process the district has followed with its municipal advisor and bond counsel, saying district staff have worked "directly with Chapman and Cutler" to draft legally compliant ballot language. She told the board the counsel will file an election resolution with the Cook County Clerk if the board approves it in August, which is required to place the question on the November ballot.
The district’s recommended ballot wording includes a description of the project and a bond amount: "Shall the Board of Education of Evergreen Park School District number 124, Cook County, Illinois, build and equip a school building to replace the Central Middle School building ... and issue its bonds in the amount of 68 million for the purpose of paying the cost thereof." Little cautioned trustees that anything listed in the ballot language must be a permitted use of bond proceeds.
Administrators presented a tentative schedule tied to that timeline: drawings completed within six to eight months, bidding this summer, a potential 2027 ground-breaking if voters approve the referendum, roughly 18 months of construction, demolition of existing facilities afterward and a tentative opening in August 2029.
Board members asked procedural questions about how specific items in ballot language constrain permitted uses of bond funds; Little said the district will provide additional detail and that counsel recommends precise, compliant phrasing to avoid using funds for items not listed.
Next steps: the board must adopt an election resolution in August to meet county filing deadlines for a November referendum. If the board takes that step, administrators will file with the Cook County Clerk and the question would appear on the November ballot.
