We are writing to clarify some misstatements regarding the upcoming referendum. An informed electorate is our goal as we feel that we have a strong story to tell on why an increase in the education fund tax rate is needed at this time.

Any assertion that River Forest property tax burdens will almost double in the next six years is wildly exaggerated and diverts focus from the true consequences of this referendum. The tax increase directly attributable to this referendum will be 3.1 percent of a resident’s total property tax bill, per year for four years. As a district, we do not control the actions of the other 14 taxing bodies included on a River Forest tax bill and thus, we can only speak to the direct impact of this referendum. What other taxing bodies may or may not do in the future should not cloud the question before voters.

We need this referendum for a variety of reasons—tax caps imposed by the State of Illinois which limit revenue; pressures on the district to maintain competitive teacher salary increases; rising health care expenses; enrollment increases; state and federal mandates; and energy and utility costs. Throughout our discussions, the district has uniformly asserted that each of these is a factor in rising expenses, not the sole cause of the current deficit. From time to time, the district has deficit-financed to operate its schools, as have 65 percent of schools in Cook County in 2004.

To address this deficit, the board has worked diligently to control expenses. The most recent collective bargaining agreement helped to control salaries and benefits. Participation in insurance cooperatives has reined in health insurance costs. Engagement in a utility cooperative has limited the growth in energy and utility costs. Despite increasing enrollment, these control measures have in fact allowed the district to place itself slightly below average on the operating expense per pupil as compared to other comparable districts.

Our district provides an excellent education at an average cost to the taxpayers of River Forest. This cost includes salaries at the average in a range of comparable districts. Analysis of salary increases over selected years, or of a select subset of teaching staff, ignores this fact. By the fair measure of teacher salaries, we are indeed average.

Finally, we have provided a clear and measured explanation of the consequences of a referendum. While we hope the residents of River Forest pass this referendum on March 21, the board will make the programmatic cuts needed to address the looming financial imbalance should the referendum fail. At its Feb. 27 meeting, the board passed the resolutions necessary to institute these cuts. At its March 7 meeting, the board approved the delivery of notice to the teachers’ representatives concerning reductions in force. The board is scheduled to meet on March 22 to implement the reductions if the referendum fails. We sincerely hope that is not the next step for our schools, but the wheels are in motion and the only way to change that course is passage of the proposed referendum on March 21.

David Gregg, Ron Atkins, Nora Anzinger, Kristen Coe, Juli Geldner, Lori Owens, and Kelly Welindt