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📸 Credit: D303 Communitywide Education Facilities Committee final report
A community committee studying St. Charles School District 303's aging buildings has voted to recommend that the school board ask voters to approve a $295.6 million bond referendum.
The committee delivered its final report to the board on April 13, the final step in a five-month review of facility conditions, capacity pressures, and education space conditions across the district's buildings.
Here's what to know:
The scope of work: The group proposed investments including roof replacements ($32.2 million), mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system upgrades ($54.5 million), accessibility reconstruction at Wild Rose and Davis elementary schools ($42.8 million combined), and a new field house at St. Charles North ($52 million) — among several others. Of the 108 committee members, 97% voted in favor of issuing the referendum.
Estimated tax impact: According to the report, the owner of a home valued at $500,000 would pay roughly $65 more per month, or about $777 per year, under the full package. Figures are preliminary and would depend on interest rates, project timing, and final scope.
A 24-year gap: D303 has not passed a facilities referendum since 2002. The three attempts since that date failed. District officials told the committee that deferred maintenance, including roofing, boilers, plumbing, concrete, and bathrooms, has outpaced what the operating budget can currently handle.
The report shows three paths forward. One option is to continue funding repairs through the operating budget, another is to pursue Health/Life Safety bonds, and the third a referendum on a future ballot.
According to the report, a community-wide electronic survey will open in mid-May.
View the final report here.
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