Deerfield Rotarians Hear School Referendum Plan

District 113 Supt. George V. Fornero made a strong plea to Deerfield Rotary Club members Wednesday telling them the community has a unique opportunity on April 5 to renovate its two high schools in Deerfield and Highland Park by passing a $133 million referendum.

Fornero said by taking advantage now of low rates and construction costs this is an ideal time to refurbish the 50-year-old Deerfield High School that he said is showing its wear while saving on property taxes.

Rotarians listened to Fornero’s presentation with interest, but a lack of time limited questions. 

Referendum plans for Deerfield High will include classroom and library modernization, technology enhancements with wireless connections throughout the school, new electrical, plumbing, and fire protection sprinkler systems, masonry and roofing repairs, a new energy-efficient HVAC system, repair of the 50—year-old community swimming pool, improvements for athletic field drainage, tennis court upgrades, and replacement of Adams Field’s aging stadium bleachers.

Bonnie Shlensky, president of District 113 board of education, accompanied Supt. Fornero to the meeting.

“There may never be a better time to make these improvements,” she said in alluding to current low interest rates and replacing the district’s old debt.

However, the proposed referendum is not without its critics. A citizens action group has formed under the name Education First, disputing school board findings for justifying the referendum at this time.

Elaine Soble, a Highland Park resident who is a founding member of the group, said she would like to see the district study the issue further and set priorities.

“We are for sensible improvements where needed, but not extravagant wants that do not directly improve the quality of education.”

Soble said the board’s “kitchen sink” approach is extravagant and would extend the existing tax rate for another 20 years. She claimed when interest was added this would exceed $200 million.

Another complaint from opponents is that the referendum is top-heavy on athletics instead of education. However, Fornero and the board dispute this stating the pools and gyms are used by both students and the community throughout the week.

“We can no longer afford everything,” Soble said. She questioned whether it is still economically feasible to support two high schools in close proximity in the Deerfield-Highland Park area.

“The District needs to show taxpayers that desired expenditures have a proven educational value that cannot be achieved in any other way,” she said.

She called the board’s plans “embarrassingly inadequate” and suggested they make a fresh start.

It was pointed out that early voting runs from March 14 to March 31 at the West Deerfield Township office. Requests for voting by mail can be made until March 29 through the Lake County Clerk in Waukegan.