Naperville District 203 School Board opts not to abate debt service levy this year
Each year, the district has the option to abate the debt service levy if it has adequate resources to make the required bond payments without the tax levy.
This year, the district was considering abating about $98,150, which would have been a savings of about $2 to $3 per household, Superintendent Dan Bridges said.
'Every dollar is an important dollar, but this is one of the least impactful,' he said.
The district has numerous uncertainties and is monitoring cuts or the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, board member Kristen Fitzgerald said, noting the district receives about $10 million in federal funding.
Fitzgerald added the district has not yet completed negotiations with its teachers union.
She said she understands the tax burden on the community, but the district's primary responsibility is to educate its students.
The relief to taxpayers was very limited, she said.
Board members also said the district may also incur potential expenses if it approves the Innovative School Experience, a proposal still under discussion that shifts the start and end times for students at all grade levels and moves to a block schedule for middle and high school.
Some of the ideas the district is studying that may incur expenses is offering a before care service to middle school students whose parents have to leave early for work or a 'zero hour' where students can come to school early for an extra class.
Board member Donna Wandke, the only one of six who voted in favor of abating the levy, said the board should do everything possible to reduce property taxes, especially for senior citizens on fixed incomes.
'The most important thing that I hear from our community is a concern about our property taxes,' she said. 'I think every piece that we can do to hear that voice is important.'
Wandke said the abatement is less than 1% of the district's budget, so it will not have an impact one way or another.
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