Education Matters US

The bond referendum for Warren Township is one of the strangest and most manipulative I have seen. The board voted to lower the tax rate only if the voters allowed them to borrow $30 million dollars.

Warren Township High School officials would cut their tax rate if voters grant permission to borrow $30 million, mostly for expansion of the Almond Road upperclassmen campus. Supporters say this is a good deal. But opponents doubt taking out a $30 million construction loan would ultimately reduce costs for taxpayers. They also question why a majority on the Gurnee-based Warren District 121 board agreed to allow tax bills to fall only if the ballot measure passes Nov. 4.

Why do school districts become so arrogant whenever they want to take more money from the taxpayers? They come up with more and more ways to threaten the voters in passing the referendum.

Grant High school district last year used the same tactics the forest preserve is using this year, “Vote Yes and we won’t raise your taxes”.

The forest preserve supporters have sent out 4 flyers now trying to get a yes vote. How much have they spent on this effort. Instead of sending out flyers, why don’t they donate the money to the forest preserve instead. At least the last flyer did say a NO vote would lower your taxes.

See Ballotpedia for more local referendums.