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Puten Township board votes to place single-question bond referendum on November ballot
Summary
The board approved a resolution to submit a roughly $28.46 million bond question for the Nov. 3 ballot after debate about whether to split projects into two questions; the board and staff said state aid covers part of the cost and more outreach is planned.
The Puten Township Board of Education voted to place a bond referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot that would fund facilities and educational projects across the district. "We will vote on a resolution that authorizes the submission of a bond proposal question," the chair said at the start of the special meeting.
Board members debated whether to present the projects as a single package or split them into two questions. One member argued splitting would allow voters to select projects that receive higher state aid separately; others said combining the projects preserves an educational vision and avoids deferring work that could increase in cost. "We see this as 1 complete package for the future of our town and for the future of our children," a board member said.
At roll call the motion to approve board business item No. 1 was seconded and adopted; members voted in the affirmative, with one member expressing hesitation before voting yes. The board said it received a state letter confirming eligibility for a large portion of the work and that further project‑level cost breakdowns and tax‑impact estimates will be published in the coming weeks.
The board directed staff and its communications committee to hold workshops, public forums and publish a referendum web page with project details, financial facts and FAQs. "Over the next 3 months, we will continue to share information about the projects through district and community communication channels," the chair said.
The meeting ended after a public‑comment period in which residents asked for clearer ballot wording, contingency plans, and the estimated annual tax impact for a typical household. The board said legal ballot wording is prepared by the bond attorney and that final tax figures after state aid will be shared once verified.
