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Board debates single‑question referendum vs. splitting projects; some members favored two questions
Summary
Board members split on whether to present all projects as a single package or as two separate questions; proponents argued splitting clarifies tax impacts for voters, opponents said a single package protects educational vision and avoids higher future costs.
Board members spent a substantial portion of the meeting debating whether to present the proposed work as one ballot question or two. One member argued that splitting would let voters prioritize projects that receive higher state aid. "I do feel... it would have been advantageous to break it into 2 questions," the member said.
Others countered that combining the projects preserves an overarching educational plan and prevents kicking costs down the road. "Having 1 question is something that will get the needs met now and kicking the can down the road will subject us to more inflation and more cost increases in the future," a board proponent said. The motion before the board ultimately advanced the single‑question approach; the board indicated it had relied on guidance from its bond attorney and financial advisors when making the decision.
Board members agreed to publish detailed project lists and cost breakdowns with the architects and bond counsel so residents can review precisely what is included under the single question.
