2026 Ballot Information

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Health Life Safety Funding Options

As we look ahead to the November 3 election, we want to make sure every member of the Sandwich Learning Community understands an important decision that will appear on the ballot and, most importantly, why this decision is being brought to our community.

Sandwich CUSD 430 recently completed its required 10-year Health/Life Safety (HLS) survey of district facilities. This process, required by the Illinois State Board of Education, identifies facility repairs and improvements that must be addressed to maintain safe and appropriate learning environments for our students and staff.

Our survey identified more than $15 million in required Health/Life Safety work over the next 10 years. While the State of Illinois requires school districts to complete this work, the State does not provide the funding to pay for it. These costs must be funded locally.

The Work Must Be Completed — The Question Is How We Fund It

Over the past several months, the Board of Education and administration have reviewed different options for addressing these required projects. One point is important for our community to understand:

Regardless of the outcome of the November 3 election, the district must address these Health/Life Safety needs.

The decision before our community is therefore not whether we complete the work. The decision is how we fund it.

After reviewing the available options, the Board determined that it was important to give our community a choice between two different funding approaches.

Option 1: No- Tax Limiting Rate Increase — Health/Life Safety Bonds

If the referendum does not pass, the district would move forward with traditional Health/Life Safety bonds to fund the required projects.

Under this approach:

• The district would receive approximately $15 million for Health/Life Safety projects.
• Approximately $3.8 million would be paid in interest, in addition to other costs and fees associated with issuing bonds.
• The estimated tax impact would be approximately $220 annually on a $200,000 property.

Option 2: Yes- Tax Limiting Rate Increase of $0.40

The question on the November 3 ballot will ask voters whether the district's limiting rate should increase by $0.40.

Under this approach:

• The district would generate approximately $19.6 million.
• No dollars would be paid toward bond interest or issuance fees associated with borrowing the $15 million through HLS bonds.
• The estimated tax impact would be approximately $243 annually on a $200,000 property.

It is also important to clarify what the estimated annual tax impact means. A $243 estimated increase on a $200,000 property does not mean taxes would increase by another $243 each year. It represents the estimated annual impact of the new rate. Once the rate is established, those dollars remain part of the district's ongoing local revenue structure.

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Why Is the District Bringing This to the Community?

When comparing these two options, the Board and administration felt strongly that our community should have an opportunity to make this decision.

The difference in the estimated annual impact between the two approaches is approximately $23 on a $200,000 property, but the way the district receives and uses those dollars is significantly different.

One option provides approximately $15 million through borrowing and includes approximately $3.8 million in interest costs. The other provides approximately $19.6 million in additional district revenue through an increased limiting rate without those borrowing costs.

Ultimately, this is a community decision.

Our responsibility is to provide residents with clear and accurate information about both options, explain the financial and facility needs facing the district, and allow voters to determine which approach they believe is best for the Sandwich Learning Community.

Learn the Facts. Ask Questions. Make Your Decision.

We recognize that any conversation involving property taxes is important to our families and community members. We encourage everyone to learn as much as possible before voting.

Please consider attending one of the informational sessions listed below, where we will present the information and answer questions from community members. We have also provided a video presentation that walks through the Health/Life Safety needs, the two funding options, and the estimated taxpayer impact.

We encourage you to review the information, ask questions, and make the decision you are most comfortable with when you vote on November 3.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important decision and for your continued involvement in the Sandwich Learning Community.

Community Information Sessions

Join us at one of the information sessions below to learn more!

• Thursday, September 3 at 10:00 AM- Sandwich Opera House
• Tuesday, September 15 at 5:30 PM- Sandwich Middle School Library
• Tuesday, October 6 at 9:00 AM- Sandwich Opera House
• Tuesday, October 20 at 5:30 PM- Sandwich Middle School Library
• Wednesday, October 28 at 1:00 PM- Sandwich Opera House

Know the facts. Understand the options. Make your choice on November 3.