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Two New Schools on Ballot? Antioch Board Leans Toward Referendum for Building Loan

Posted on: Monday, 12 December 2005, 21:00 CST

By Sara Faiwell Daily Herald Staff Writer

Taxpayers in Antioch Elementary District 34 will likely be asked this spring to approve a loan to build two new schools.

The school board has not yet agreed to put the question on the March ballot, but officials say it probably will happen.

"The time has come to build another school or two and ensure there are classroom spaces for other kids," Superintendent Scott Thompson said. "Obviously, we are overcrowded now and it will continue."

School board members must decide by Jan. 17 if they'll go to voters in the spring.

Last month, a committee of teachers, parents and residents told school officials two schools must be built to accommodate future growth.

It's suggested a middle school be built on Savage Road, just south of Route 173. Another school - likely kindergarten through second grade - should be built near North Avenue and Tiffany Road, the committee said. District 34 owns both properties.

The district's five schools are near capacity. The enrollment of 2,854 students is about 100 short of hitting the maximum the schools can hold.

There are 16 mobile classrooms in use right now, seven of those at Oakland Elementary School.

More than 1,600 new homes have been approved for building in Lake Villa, Lindenhurst and Antioch that are in District 34.

This year, 211 more students than last year are enrolled in the five schools.

If the board goes to voters in March, Thompson said he knows there isn't much time to campaign.

"Even though the time is short, I think we have a huge advantage because the community is in favor of kids and understands the value of education," he said.

Voters in the school district approved a 65-cent tax rate increase in 2004 for the education fund.

In 1999, voters approved loans to build Hillcrest Elementary School and renovate Antioch Upper Grade School.

GreenAssociates, of Deerfield is calculating how much it would cost the district to build two schools and will report back to the board before a decision is made.

The school board meets again Tuesday night.

Source: Daily Herald; Arlington Heights, Ill.

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