SYCAMORE | Sycamore has two plans to ease overcrowding in elementary schools.

The first plan is to build a new two-story elementary school. The second is improve and expand Sycamore’s existing elementary schools.

Officials say taxes will not increase if voters approve the $30 million bond measure Tuesday. The money will allow for a new grade school at the intersection of Plank and Lindgren roads and make improvements in three of the four existing elementary schools.

“When you tell the people they can do this without raising the tax rate, they immediately think, ‘What’s the catch?'” said Joseph King, a member of Citizens for Sycamore Education.

King said there is no catch.

“Don’t think we’re saying we can do this for free,” King said. “What we’re saying is, instead of letting your taxes drop a couple pennies each year for the next several years, just allow us to keep taxing you at the exact same level as you have for the last 10 years, forgo that potential savings, and we can do this.”

Superintendent Wayne Riesen said the city’s current state of growth demands attention.

“Currently, elementary enrollment is around 3,700 students,” Riesen said. “We predict by 2018 that number will rise to 6,200 students.”

A proactive approach should be taken to meet those needs, Riesen said.

“Nine million of the overall $30 million would go toward proposed changes to West, Southeast and North elementary schools,” Riesen said.

Administrative offices will be moved closer to each school’s entrance for security purposes. Four classrooms will be added at Southeast, and both West and Southeast will receive larger gyms. South Prairie has already seen improvements.

“They’ve taken a lot of things into consideration in the existing schools in providing equity throughout the district,” said Maggie Peck, co-chairwoman for Citizens for Sycamore Education. “If they had opted not to do the new school and just make improvements to the existing schools, obviously that would not have met the needs of the growth around here.”

Riesen said if the referendum passes, the school district is “ready to move forward.” Residents can anticipate the new school to open in the fall of 2009.