Voters in Kaneland School District 302 will get to decide in April whether to approve a $140 million bond issue for infrastructure and facility needs at all campuses across the district.
The referendum question will appear on the April 1 ballot.
“The decision marks a significant step forward in enhancing the safety and functionality of the district’s educational facilities,” district officials said in a statement about the school board’s recent decision to place the referendum question on the spring ballot.
Voters in 2023 rejected a $57.5 million bond issue to make improvements to Kaneland High School, which was originally built in 1958.
The school board decided on a “comprehensive plan” to address “critical infrastructure needs” on all campuses rather than just focus on the high school, officials said.
The “guiding principles” for a more comprehensive referendum question were critical infrastructure needs, safety concerns, long-term needs, fiscal responsibility and more, according to board documents.
“This choice reflects the board’s commitment to addressing safety concerns, modernizing facilities and supporting the overall needs of our students, staff and community,” district officials said in the statement.
The 2025 referendum further “emphasizes the necessity of informed, strategic planning to avoid short-term fixes that could lead to higher long-term costs,” according to the statement.
In all, the board considered three scenarios for a referendum question based on feedback from community members, staff and students, according to the statement.
The first would have primarily focused on essential repairs, including improvements to infrastructure and mechanical systems, roof replacements at elementary schools, upgrades to learning spaces and restrooms and securing the main entrance at the high school, while the second option would have included all of that plus enhanced playgrounds, upgraded athletic facilities at the high school and also relocated maintenance and transportation facilities near Kaneland Harter Middle School.
The third option for the referendum question, which the board chose, encompasses all the improvements in the first two options plus construction of a field house at the high school to support student physical education, athletic and extracurricular programs and for community use, as well as the repurposing of the West Gym to classroom spaces, according to district officials.
The board plans to host informational meetings plus provide details at school events and town halls to inform the community about the upcoming referendum.
“These events will provide parents, students and community members opportunities to learn more about the proposed improvements, ask questions and share their thoughts,” district officials said in the statement.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
