Health & Fitness
A New Jefferson Early Childhood Center: Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the Jefferson Early Childhood Center. We invite you to view our short video.
On April 9, 2013, voters will have the opportunity to vote on the following question: “Shall the Board of Education of Wheaton-Warrenville Community Unit School District Number 200, DuPage County, Illinois, build and equip a new early childhood center to replace the existing Jefferson Early Childhood Center, improve the site thereof and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $17,600,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?"
District 200 would like to provide the public with all the facts surrounding the Jefferson Referendum and so, in our continued interest to educate the community, we have posted a FAQ page on our District website, www.cusd200.org to answer any questions and provide detailed information.
Q: How is the Jefferson Early Childhood Center Program different from other, private preschool programs in the area?
A: The main purpose of Jefferson Early Childhood Center is to provide early learning opportunities for our most vulnerable students who struggle to develop at the same rate as their typically developing peers. The program and curriculum at Jefferson are aligned with the Illinois Early Learning Standards and provide for a seamless transition to kindergarten. Every teacher at Jefferson is certified to teach in the State of Illinois and has an early childhood, special education, and English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement. Jefferson is the only school in the State of Illinois where all teachers have an ESL endorsement.
Q: What are the problems with the existing Jefferson Early Childhood Center?
Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- The facility was not designed for three-and four-year-old children with significant developmental needs. ADA accessibility is a major issue.
- Bathrooms that are located in half of the classrooms are not accessible for children who use walkers or wheelchairs.
- Classrooms without bathrooms share two common bathrooms that are not designed for young children, especially when a majority of the students are currently toilet training.
- Climate control issues exclude certain students who are medically fragile from attending Jefferson. The District is obligated to pay outside organizations to educate these students.
- Space constraints and floor plan limitations have resulted in insufficient instructional spaces for students and reduced privacy for meetings.
- Some areas are not as safe as they should be for children with limitations.
Q: Did we reconsider renovating the current space?
A: Yes. In May 2012, the Board was given an estimate of $8.3 million to renew the existing building, but without the additional space or features needed to address the limitations on the current program. Renovation plus an addition of needed space was estimated at $15 million, which was 85% of the proposed new construction. In either renovation scenario, students would have to be moved from the facility while work was done; or the timeline and costs significantly impacted if work were done only while school was not in session. Given those factors, the Board focused on new construction. Please see May 23, 2012 and Oct. 26, 2011 Board of Education presentations for additional information:
Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Q: In 2006, the estimated cost to renovate was $13.4 million. Why, in 2013, is it $17.6 million?
A: In 2006, design work was not completed for Jefferson. It was removed from consideration and the focus was on Hubble. The 2013 costs increased because:
- The increase in the detail of the design has provided the ability for a more accurate estimate.
- Significant issues based on "mistakes" other districts have made in their recently-built early childhood centers are being addressed.
- The cost of materials has increased in seven years.
Q: How much will a new Jefferson Early Childhood Center cost?
A: $17.6 million for construction and site improvements
Q: How will the District pay for a new Jefferson?
A: The Board of Education will issue $17.6 million in bonds to pay for a new Jefferson Early Childhood Center.
Q: What will be the interest and fees on those bonds?
A: Interest rates at the time of issuance will determine the actual costs. Currently, total interest and fees is estimated to be $5.8 million. If the bonds are issued in two groups as anticipated, borrowing costs may be reduced.
Q: What will be the annual impact on tax payers to rebuild Jefferson Early Childhood Center?
A: Please view project financing at this link http://www.cusd200.org/23531086103337757/lib/23531086103337757/Finance_Talking_Points_2.pdf.
The attached pictures represent the entire proposed debt service with a $17.6 million referendum, the tax rate impact for levy years 2013-2022, and the tax rate impact for levy year 2023.
Q: How do I find the value of my home?
A: The Fair Cash Value section of the property tax bill identifies the value.
Q: Did the District receive Capital Development Funding from the State of Illinois?
A: Yes, the District did receive $14.4 million from the Capital Development Board in Spring 2012. The grant was applied for in the 2003 referendum for District 200 schools. Multiple school renovations in the ’90s were partially funded by cash reserves, depleting the needed cushion for end-of-year cas flow and “rainy day” contingencies, such as delayed state payments. In 2012, the Board passed a policy requiring a fund balance of 25%-40% on hand. Prior to the receipt of the capital development money, the District fund balance was below that threshold. When the money was received, the Board of Education spent $2.8 million of funds
to pay off a lease which upgraded District technology infrastructure and resulted in a cost avoidance of $133,922.36 in interest. The remaining $11.6 million of the funds reimbursed District reserves to bring them to a current level of 27%.
Q: How long is the debt?
A: The debt service is for 11 years and will not extend the length of existing debt. 91% of the current debt is a result of past capital projects approved by voters. The remaining debt is other miscellaneous capital and operational improvements.
