The never-ending deliberation over whether or not to raise taxes or provide an adequate learning environment for students has prompted District 428 to make the third referendum attempt a charm when the $39.8 million proposal is posed to voters during the April 1 election.

“Referendums are a process,” said Superintendent Brian Ali. “This is the third time we’re involved and the electorate has become more informed of the need. There is no question that all people [either favoring the referendum or not] feel there’s a need for space.”

If the referendum is successful, an average household valued at around $152,000 would see a tax increase of about $131.96.

All levels of education within the school district would be impacted with referendum dollars. The high school itself would be granted $23.68 million for renovations and additions. A new fieldhouse, which would cost $11.6 million, would be built, and the remaining dollars would build 17 new classrooms within the existing upstairs gymnasium.

“The important thing to understand is that this is not about sports at all, but about creating classrooms and space,” Ali said.

The middle schools, Huntley and Clinton Rosette, would receive $3.9 million to provide additional space to accommodate 750 students within each facility. Ali said a noteworthy aspect of the middle schools in correlation with a successful referendum would be the transition of fifth graders from the junior high level back down into the elementary schools in 2005.

“This allows students of that age to be at one site for a longer period of time and create important [teacher] relationships for students to be successful,” Ali said. “It also cuts transitions and allows elementary students to stay in their neighborhood schools for an extra year.”

The eight local elementary schools would receive about $12.25 million from the referendum, much of which would go toward upgrades and the creation of new space to accommodate fifth graders.

Ali encouraged voters who may feel sour toward a referendum that by providing additional money through taxes to enhance the overall learning environment within the district invariably could lower taxes for area residents down the road.

When first proposed in December, fresh off a second failed referendum in November, members of the school board and local staff discussed the necessity for a third referendum attempt because it was important to show the community how crucial a referendum really was to local schools.

In order to do so, various members suggested the community must see a continued, concerted effort at securing referendum dollars because not doing so would indicate the referendum wasn’t as important as anticipated originally.

Now well into its third campaign, the referendum has become more familiar to the community, said Ali, and that basically maintaining the same plan as in November was an important step in giving the community additional time to analyze the need.

“The quality of life in a community is directly tied to the quality of education provided in that community,” Ali said. “With improved schools, the quality of life in DeKalb would improve with a rise in property values. Good education could further attract corporations looking to relocate or new businesses that can provide a stronger industrial and commercial tax base that in the end could lower taxes for the community.”

Ali emphasized, though, not to simply make a decision based on his recommendations alone. The referendum has received a groundswell of support, most notably from five sources: Mayor Greg Sparrow, the DeKalb Park District, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, the DeKalb Classroom Teacher’s Association and the Builders Trading Union, he said.

Second Ward Alderman Kris Povlsen theorized that if people had to work in similar conditions to students in their respective schools, they’d probably strike.

“Either pay now or pay later,” Povlsen said. “Children are our most valuable commodity.”

Third Ward Alderman Steve Kapitan said he supports the referendum, but reluctantly because of a few aspects he’s still uncomfortable with.

“Things to keep in mind that if the referendum passes — it shouldn’t relieve us as council members to establish policies in terms of growth so they don’t come back in short order with another referendum.”

And with 55 percent “no” votes at the previous election, there remain those who are skeptical and unsure that a referendum is the answer.

“We need reform first,” said Jim Schneider, a write-in candidate for the 3rd Ward. “We then must force our leaders to handle growth.”

Ali described the inclusive need for a referendum by sharing an old proverb.

“There’s an old saying that says the greatest gift a parent can give their children is an education,” Ali said. “I’d like to take it a step further and say the greatest gift a community can give its children is an education. And the only way to do so is provide an appropriate learning environment.”