URBANA, Ill. (WAND) — A nearly $200 million price tag is what the Champaign Unit 4 School Board will ask voters to consider in November.
“We are 120-plus students over capacity right now in the three middle schools we have. Jefferson and Franklin each have four trailers outside the schools, and they have been there for 25 years,” said School Board President Tony Bruno.
Bruno said the cost is worth the change. The proposed $192 million referendum would revamp two schools in the district and bring a new school to the area.
“This isn’t just a solution for today. It’s a solution for the next 50 years,” Bruno said.
Franklin STEAM Academy is more than 70 years old. The building would be completely torn down and rebuilt with modern upgrades. Jefferson Middle School would receive renovations, and the remaining funds would be used to build a brand-new school.
“Every school that exists in this community was built at some point on taxpayer money. It’s hard to say that you want the best for our children, but not be willing to pay for it. Schools cost money, and great schools make great communities, and we owe it to our children to give them the best possible experience we can,” Bruno said.
Bruno explains that taxpayers would not see an increase in their property taxes but would be paying taxes for longer. The bonds would take 20 years to repay with interest.
“If the referendum fails, then we still have to spend millions of dollars to bring our facilities up to code. The State Board of Education has told us that we have life safety violations that must be corrected,” Bruno said.
For students, the investment could mean newer, more modern learning spaces. But in November, taxpayers will decide whether the structure and size of the investment are worth the cost.
The election is Nov. 3, and early voting begins Sept. 24.
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