The third failed referendum attempt for DeKalb School District 428 left supporters bewildered and searching for answers as to why local community residents have yet to determine a need for school improvements.

Superintendent Brian Ali said he’s still uncertain why the disparity between yes and no voters was greater in this election.

“I’m not sure, but there could be a myriad of reasons why people say no such as the war, poor economy, state funding,” he said.

City Clerk Donna Johnson said despite not being vocal on which side she favored, the referendum likely didn’t pass because of a vague plan presented to the community.

“People felt there was a general lack of a solid plan and presentation of that plan that says here’s what we need and here’s what we need for sure,” Johnson said.

Mayor Greg Sparrow said the war might have been a key factor in determining the outcome of the referendum because of the amount of money the country eventually would have to spend to support the war. He was, however, quite disappointed the referendum failed regardless of the reasons weighing down on its community-wide approval.

“Now is the time to go into the market for the biggest bang for our buck,” Sparrow said. “Not to mention these might be the lowest interest rates we see for the next 40 years.”

Former School Board President Don Robinson said the mood around the district was somber, but that people realized the need to continue pressing forward in an effort to educate students.

Robinson said reasons for the referendum’s failure may have been not only the war and poor economy, but also the significance of NIU’s poor budget conditions. He also said it’s unfortunate the referendum didn’t pass because of the great timing in correlation with low interest rates and high bidding.

Robinson said the current school board might be lacking confidence in its approach to lobbying Springfield for better funding or to promote ways in which the district can receive money between now and the next chance at a referendum in November 2004.

Newly-elected school board member Tom Teresinski said it should be the school board’s goal to look at viable alternatives to alleviate overcrowding, but overall it’s simply the philosophy to “just get by” until the next referendum attempt. He added despite a more grassroots approach in campaigning this past referendum, community members must have remained hesitant to spending more money with the war and poor local economy.

While Robinson said he’s aware of the fact many referendums failed state-wide, he’s still ashamed of the community for not supporting its children.

“It’s unfortunate any time we confuse short term plans for long term plans,” Robinson said. “I don’t believe any referendum will pass in this community in the near future.”