School superintendent: Zero tax rate increase for O’Fallon District 90 facilities improvements

O’Fallon District 90 has an opportunity that it hasn’t had in the recent past, to make some necessary improvements to its facilities with zero increase to the tax rate. That is because there are several bonds that are scheduled to expire soon, therefore allowing the sale of new bonds to be done with zero increase to the District’s bond and interest rate.

D90 has five bond issues outstanding that are all set to expire within the next seven years. The current bond and interest rate for that debt is 46 cents. In 2029 it will decrease to approximately 4 cents and then the bonds will be fully paid off in 2030. That means the District can issue bonds now, make needed improvements, and extend the District’s debt repayment up to 10 years, all without an increase to the bond and interest tax rate.

There are many needed repairs at the schools due to their ages. D90’s newest school is now 14 years old, and its oldest is 111 years old. There are tiling, tuckpointing, and bathroom renovations needed. Fulton and Moye need HVAC replacements with boilers and chillers.

The elementary schools have used their current class space. Any increase in enrollment, or efforts to decrease class sizes, will require additional classrooms to be added. Current and projected increases in enrollment will necessitate the construction of a new school in the future. If the District were able to add gym space onto EK, Evans and Hinchcliffe it could also add 5-6 classrooms to address the need for classrooms. This would allow us to delay the construction of a new elementary school, and lessen the impact of redrawing elementary school boundaries.

As you know, the District does not offer daily PE to elementary students because it does not have the space available. At EK, Evans, and Hinchcliffe there is only one gymnasium/cafeteria space. Therefore PE cannot be offered daily to students based on the need to use that space to serve breakfast and lunch, and clean up after each.

● Research supports the need for children to have regular physical activity. Not only does this improve their physical health, but activity has been proven to help address behavior needs.

● By Code, the State of IL requires districts to offer PE more often than D90 currently does. D90 had a waiver of the Code in place that allowed the District to hold elementary PE one time per week. The waiver cannot be extended, so in order to be in compliance with the law, D90 must add days of PE instruction.

In addition, the sale of bonds could allow the District to resurface its elementary playgrounds. Currently the playgrounds consist of pea gravel or mulch, which are not ADA compliant. Students with mobility needs are therefore not able to play with their peers. The District could use bonds to resurface playgrounds with a pour and play rubberized surface that is safe, accessible, low maintenance and more attractive.

A sale of up to $18.5 million in bonds for much needed improvements and repairs such as the above can be done without a tax rate increase. The District expects to begin the process toward these bonds this fall and will have a public hearing and opportunities for community input.