01/18/2007 - District 428 and ReNew Our Schools to co-sponsor Referendum Clinic "By The Numbers" on Saturday, January 26th
DeKalb School District 428 and the ReNew Our Schools committee will co-sponsor a referendum clinic "By The Numbers" on Saturday, January 26th, from noon until 3:00 p.m. at DeKalb High School, 1515 S. 4th Street, DeKalb. The event will be held in the front portion of the auditorium. In addition, it is anticipated that current high school students will provide tours of the building during the clinic. The clinic is open to all residents of Cortland, DeKalb, and Malta residing in the DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 attendance area.
"We are providing every opportunity possible for residents to have questions answered by experts," said Andrea Gorla, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance for the district. "Many of the questions people have been asking are related to some aspect of taxes, assessments, tax rates, and cost estimates," added Gorla. "There are many misconceptions about school finance, how tax bills are calculated, and the affect of assessments on tax bills," Gorla explained. "We want people to have correct and valid information, not a perception based on rumor or misunderstanding. We will have several of the experts available to provide answers for residents during the afternoon, including Elizabeth Hennessy, William Blair & Associates (bonds), principals of Armstrong, Torseth, Skold & Rydeen (district architects), district administrators, and members of the ReNew Our Schools committee.
It is anticipated that current students will be available to provide a first-hand look at the school from their perspective. "The students do a wonderful job of showing their school to the public, " said DeKalb High School principal, Lindsey Hall. "They are the ones who try to negotiate crowded hallways every day. They are the ones who share two sets of restrooms among 1700 students, and are the ones who have to leave the school building to eat lunch because there is no room for them in the Commons," added Hall.
Concept drawings for each of the five components of the proposed referendum will be available for viewing. Residents are encouraged to visit the referendum section of the district's website: www.dist428.org/referendum2008.htm and the ReNew our Schools website at: www.VoteYes428.org. The ReNew Our Schools website includes a 3D animation of the proposed high school and proposed elementary facilities.
Residents will also be able to ask "what if" questions at the event. District 428 School/Community Relations Liaison, Russ Fletcher has fielded a few calls from residents recently asking about programs if the referendum is not successful. "It is necessary for the District to prepare for both contingencies of the referendum, success or failure," said Fletcher. "Residents are asking what the schools will be like if it passes, and if it doesn't. An informed decision requires information about both outcomes. It is only prudent and proper planning for the district to be prepared."
The district has been conducting meetings at nearly every school in the district during the month of January, as well as making presentations at service organization meetings, faculty meetings, union group meetings, informal gatherings in restaurants and homes, and other community gatherings. "We want to reach every resident possible with factual, valid information so they can make a well-informed decision on February 5th", said Fletcher.
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