For more than three months last fall, two dozen dedicated people labored to come to grips with District 90’s fast-approaching budget crunch. That "Fiscal Action Team" sought to craft budget scenarios in which it would be possible to maintain some semblance of the district’s academic excellence while avoiding a tax increase.

They didn’t find any, most likely because there aren’t any. At least none that will leave the top-ranked school district in the state functioning like anything resembling the exceptional educational system that River Foresters now have.

Although we understand and sympathize with those homeowners who feel ready to scream at even higher taxes, we endorse the River Forest Schools property tax referendum.

School officials insist they’ve done everything within reason to keep costs down, that they managed to extend the time between referendums from five years to eight. The referendum’s proponents, meanwhile, are unapologetic about their insistence on keeping the village’s three schools not just high quality, but superior quality. That’s a choice we believe the citizens of every community should have a right to make for themselves.

That said, we also believe that those who are weary and suspicious of ever-increasing property tax rates should be listened to with respect and an open mind. As in Oak Park, tax rates on River Forest homes are forcing people to leave the village. Those who remain—and choose to move in—must pay $1,200, $1,500, even $2,000 a month for the privilege of living in their own home. Property taxes simply can’t continue to soar indefinitely. Other ways to fund quality education must be found.

And that process will take the honest best efforts of both local and state officials.