Common Sense means Vote NO on D303's Tax Grab Referendum

eVERYONE LOVES A TOP 10 LIST....BUT #11 IS A MIC DROP

FOR THOSE WITH COMMON SENSE......

Do you need a long article or do you just need reasons why to VOTE NO for D303's Tax Grab?   Here's where common sense makes your NO VOTE a necessity:

1. D303, by its own admission, allowed deferred maintenance to accumulate over the years, ignoring their fiscal responsibility and placing that burden on you today.  The district’s own facilities timeline acknowledges approximately $187 million in deferred maintenance, clear evidence that predictable building needs were not adequately prioritized and funded—and question why taxpayers should now approve another major borrowing package. St. Charles CUSD 303
2. The referendum would take more money out of household budgets.
   Illinois Policy’s financing summary reports an estimated increase of approximately $645 annually—ON TOP OF THE TAXES YOU ALREADY PAY—on a $500,000 home. Look at their calculator here.  Families already face substantial expenses. Actual impacts depend on property values and exemptions; residents can check the D303 tax calculator. Illinois Policy
3. Taxpayers would be committing to approximately 25 years of debt to you as a D303 homeowner....MINIMALLY!  D303’s referendum information and financing timeline identify $282.5 million in proposed bonds and a planned 25-year financing structure. St. Charles CUSD 303
4. A $62 million fieldhouse isn't necessary. D303 sells the need to "repair" old buildings, but allocates almost 22% of the referendum for a new luxury item.  Illinois Policy’s project review identifies the proposed St. Charles North fieldhouse as a $62 million project. Priorities? repair and maintain existing schools before adding an expensive athletic facility. Illinois Policy
5. Voters cannot approve essential repairs while separately rejecting the fieldhouse.
   The official ballot question combines roof replacements, building-system upgrades, accessibility improvements, program spaces and an athletic facility into one vote. D303 can't read the room.  At best, they should have focused on repairs.  At best, they should have done their job and dealt with it during their administration.  But now it's an all or nothing grab.  Would you trust your personal money in their hands?  Why let them tax you more? St. Charles CUSD 303
6. The fieldhouse’s inclusion raises questions about whether community priorities drove the spending plan.  Illinois Policy reports that the facilities committee ranked the fieldhouse third-least important among its proposed projects. Again...."D'uh.  Read the room D303. Illinois Policy
7. The school district already receives the largest share of the property-tax bill. And you as a D303 taxpayer carry that burden.  The City of St. Charles’ published tax breakdown shows 65.4% going to the school district. Existing resources have NOT been adequately directed toward building upkeep. This poor leadership wants more money from you.  Think before you vote.  That percentage reflects the city’s published example; individual D303 properties can have different allocations. GovDelivery
8. Past facility problems have weakened confidence in district stewardship.  
   An archived Chicago Sun-Times report describes approximately $28 million in combined cleanup, temporary-classroom and relocation costs associated with the earlier St. Charles East mold crisis. Although that involved earlier leadership, the leaders will rotate over the next 25-28 years.  Same issues will come up.  See all of the other settlements that D303 has paid.  Do your homework for your family. Mold-Help.org
9. Campaign contributions from businesses with district ties raise disclosure concerns.
   Illinois Sunshine lists Organic Life’s $10,000 contribution, while D303 identifies the company as its elementary and middle-school food vendor. It also lists Wold Architects’ $3,500 in-kind contribution; Wold documents its past D303 planning and design work. Of course they'd pour money into getting this passed. Your dime can feed their companies.  Their investment is pennies compared to what they could reap if this were to pass.   Illinois Sunshine
10. Paying for today’s backlog does not automatically prevent the next one. Taxpayers want dependable, ongoing maintenance funding—THEY RAN FROM THE ISSUE.  Now they have a large construction package. D303’s accountability commitments
11. The $282.5 Million Referendum Could Cost Taxpayers Over $500 Million After Interest. D303 is asking voters to authorize $282.5 million in new bonds, but that figure does not include the interest taxpayers would pay over the proposed 25-year repayment period.  SAY WHAT?    According to the Prairie State Taxpayer Alliance’s financial estimate, interest could add approximately $223 million, bringing total repayment to roughly $505 million (isn't it funny that this isn't part of D303's presentation?).   That means approximately 44 cents (44% for those who love giving other people your money) of every dollar repaid would go toward interest paid to bond investors, including potentially banks and financial institutions, rather than school improvements. This estimate assumes a 5.08% municipal-bond benchmark; actual borrowing costs could differ. Taxpayers should understand the full repayment obligation before voting. Sources: D303 Official Referendum Information | Prairie State Taxpayer Alliance — Estimated Debt and Interest.

LEARN....SHARE.....SHOW UP AND VOTE NO.   SHOW UP OR PAY UP. 

TELL YOUR  FRIENDS WHO NEVER VOTE, THAT THEY NEED TO THIS ONE TIME!