The future of District 428’s school referendum plan was headlined on Media Day this past Friday at the Education Center.

The Nov. 5, 2002, referendum plan is a work-in-progress that strives to improve the overcrowding issues within all area schools, as well as finding cost-effective ways to provide more classrooms and educational benefits to students. The referendum is expected to total $39.8 million with about $12.2 million for elementary schools, $3.9 million for the middle school and $23.9 million for the high school.

Ad hoc committee member Bob Faivre outlined a few examples as to why this plan is an important solution to the ongoing problems area schools face. One solution is to improve the two local junior high schools through a specific enrollment number not to exceed 750 students so that classrooms are more confined, and students have greater access to extra-curricular activities. Another is to raise DeKalb High School’s core curriculum to a number that would accommodate up to 2,000 students before the plan is completed.

“We want to make the schools more usable and friendly,” Faivre said.

Aside from those specifics, members of the school board and ad hoc committee see issues needing to be solved on all educational levels.

The ad hoc committee is comprised of 36 members who recently unanimously backed the referendum plan. Over the summer, the plan undertook a 14-week analysis as to how it can meet the needs of area schools for years to come.

Initially, the hopes of many to pass a referendum seemed bleak, but with a forcible second effort the referendum plan was finally a reality, said Don Robinson, school board president.

“When the first referendum failed, the committee felt like we needed to do something that would reach out to those opposed to our campaign,” Robinson said. “With the need to add to existing schools, implementing a neighborhood system in terms of students walking to class, minimizing costs, and the whole idea of accountability, we came up with a great plan that serves children, parents, taxpayers, interests and our future.”

Ad hoc committee member Tom Matya said the status quo in terms of a healthy classroom environment for area students isn’t on the positive side.

“Today we have more students than classroom capacity,” Matya said. “We want to reverse that trend.”

Faivre agreed that present concerns necessitate the plan.

“We have to look at a strategic plan of 10 years,” Faivre said. “The time is truly now for the need. There’s no more quibbling within the district about student capacity numbers. The unmet needs for this plan are here, and we plan to service the community well.”

During the month of October, neighborhood meetings will take place at various elementary, middle and high schools so that the community can listen and witness first-hand information regarding the school referendum, as well as the opportunity to see blueprints and ideas involving construction. For information on upcoming meetings, call the DeKalb Education Center at 754-2350.