Our neighboring school district to the south, Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A, could serve as a case study for the CCSD 66 BOE and Administration. Approximately 12 years ago, Lemont-Bromberek was struggling with many of the same financial challenges CCSD 66 is currently facing.
“Long before laying off teachers and eliminating all extracurricular programs, Lemont-Bromberek School District 113A regularly spent more tax dollars than it collected. When that wasn’t enough, officials dipped into restricted funds in a way that violated state law.
By the time the state stepped in late last year, the financial damage had been done. Unable to make payroll or meet debt payments, the district has taken out three sets of emergency loans against future property tax revenue — the public version of payday loans.”
Source: Chicago Tribune 8/15/10 – https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2010-08-15-ct-met-lemont-0815-bd-20100815-story.html
After multiple Referendums were rejected by the community, their BOE, Administration and teachers but made the tough but necessary decisions to not only restore the district’s financial health, without a referendum to increase taxes, but also regain the COMMUNITY’S TRUST. In addition, contrary to what many referendum supporters claimed would happen, the district’s COMMUNITY continued to GROW and PROPERTY VALUES continued to INCREASE.
“Fiscal responsibility to live within our means through efficient planning and monitoring”
This is a MUST SEE presentation for all CCSD 66 community members –
The following are a few excerpts from the district’s presentation:
Their community, like all others, was also recovering from the crash in the housing market and property values, which bottomed out in 2012
In fact, D66’s financial advisor, PMA, pointed out the same trend to the BOE on 11/6/14
The taxpayers in Lemont-Bromberek finally approved an increase to their Limiting Rate through an April 2021 referendum. It is interesting to note that their new Limiting Rate is still lower than CCSD 66’s current Limiting Rate. In addition, the property taxes went DOWN due to the district’s debt being paid off during the past ten years.
What’s the lesson for the D66 community? Until substantive changes are made, supported by strict and transparent financial policies – to ensure the long-term health and viability of the district and restoration of the broken trust of the community of taxpayers who support it – please do not ask us for a permanent Limiting Tax Rate increase and an open checkbook.
Lemont-Bromberek Comprehensive Financial Report 6/30/21 – https://campussuite-storage.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/744391/30f170c3-c0dc-11e6-b7b7-22000bd8490f/2332974/3b933b90-3272-11ec-9582-02eece0e44f5/file/Lemont-Bromberek%20CSD%20113A%20Comprehensive%20Annual%20Financial%20Report.pdf