Voters Say 'No' to Jefferson Referendum

Updated 10:04 a.m.

Voters in Community Unit School District 200 have officially turned down the district's plan to bond $17.6 million to build a new Jefferson Early Childhood Center, with 6,937 of 11,687 votes against the referendum and all precincts reporting.

The District 200 Board of Education in January voted 6-1 to pass a resolution to put the question on the April 9 ballot after reviewing design presentations and available financing options for the new school. 

The estimated tax increase for residents in a $200,000 to $500,000 home would have been $19 to $51, respectively, over the next 10 years and a difference in their tax decrease in levy year 2023.

Dan Wagner, co-chair of Friends of the Schools—Yes to the Jefferson Early Childhood Center Referendum, said Tuesday the election outcome was not expected, but that he feels after discussions around the need for a new Jefferson, that voters now understand the importance of early childhood education for children with special needs.

"That discussion was brought to a level where everybody understood that it needs to be done—It's just which way to do it... Clearly the voters tonight said they didn't agree with the position... the board put out to voters.

"We know the kids deserve better... I don't believe it was (voters) voting necessarily, 'No," against Jefferson, I think it was the way it had to be fixed."

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District 200 Superintendent Dr. Brian Harris said Tuesday the new board will have to assess what happened with the vote and how to move forward. 

"Obviously tonight, this solution was not the solution that the community would accept. We’re going to have to look at the results and find out why the community (voted) the way it did," he said.

"We’ve got to engage the people that were not supportive tonight and find out what solution would be acceptable... The issue at Jefferson is not going away. It’s a school that needs to be updated to a 21 st century learning environment… So, we have to find a solution that the community will accept."

District 200 sent the following release to residents Tuesday night: 

District 200 would like to thank all of the volunteers who worked hard on behalf of the Jefferson Referendum. Our community did not approve the proposed project plan for a new Jefferson Early Childhood Center today. However, the needs of the children at Jefferson will remain a priority for District 200 leadership.

The new Board of Education will need to engage the community in further conversations about an acceptable solution to update this school to meet the unique needs of the children that attend.

Superintendent Dr. Brian Harris says that he is committed to finding a solution to provide a 21st century learning environment for the students that attend Jefferson.

Related:

• District 200 Candidate: Jefferson Numbers are Misleading
  
• District 200 Passes Jefferson Referendum
• Jefferson: New Plan Calls for $17.6M Referendum