Cary School District 26 voters have backed a ballot measure allowing the district to borrow $20 million for improving school buildings, according to unofficial results.
With an emphasis on safety, security and technology improvements, the school district asked voters for permission to sell bonds to get caught up with capital improvement projects.
“This is our attempt to make sure that we’re being fiscally responsible and keeping up with our buildings and the maintenance that they need,” District 26 Director of Finance and Operations David Shepherd said in June.
According to district documents, improvements that need to be made include safety and security upgrades, renovating instructional spaces, repairing sidewalks, and replacing roofs, doors, windows and boilers.
About 59% of the electorate voted in favor of the borrowing, according to unofficial McHenry County results.
If those results prevail after remaining mail-in votes are tallied, property taxes might go down slightly in District 26, but taxes would go down more without it, Shepherd said.
Homes ranging from $225,000 to $500,000 in market value could see a savings of $59 to $138 in taxes. Without the referendum, the reduction would be about $188 to $258 for home values from $225,000 to $300,000, according to district documents.
Without the referendum, the district would resort to taking money out of its education funds, which would have an impact on the classroom, Shepherd said.
State and federal monies do not directly fund capital improvements, leaving the district on its own to fund the projects, District 26 Superintendent Brandon White said in an informational video.
District 26 staff estimates $6 million in repairs are needed at Cary Junior High School, followed by $4 million for Deer Path Elementary. Another $1.5 million is planned for districtwide safety and security upgrades, including more cameras, door and lock replacements and updated entry and alert technology, according to district documents.