ISD 166 hosts referendum information sessions leading up to arrival of mail-in ballots

As mail-in ballots will soon arrive in Cook County residents’ mailboxes, Cook County ISD 166 has scheduled several referendum information sessions in the coming days and weeks.

Earlier this spring, the Cook County ISD 166 School Board reviewed and unanimously approved a resolution to move forward with a $36.78 million three-question proposal for Cook County voters in Nov.

The referendum asks voters to consider three questions that, if approved, will authorize funding to improve safety, security, educational adequacy, and deferred maintenance at the district’s PreK-12 building. 

In recent months, the school district hired ICS, a project management firm, to conduct a complete facility and grounds assessment as the school undergoes a strategic planning process. Then, the school board approved hiring the architectural firm DSGW, a Minnesota-based company specializing in hand-crafting healthcare, education, commercial, and Indigenous architecture, to design and implement the identified needs.

The three questions included in the November bond referendum are:

• Question One requests $24 million for upgraded spaces at the district’s PreK-12 school building, including additional common/flex space, classroom renovations, an additional gymnasium, improved accessibility, building security, and the completion of deferred maintenance. 
• Question Two requests $9 million for improvements to the school’s grounds, athletics, and art spaces, including artificial turf for athletics fields, a running track, and updated theater equipment and seating.
• Question Three requests $3.5 million to add an additional gymnasium station to support physical education, athletics, and community recreation. 

Superintendent of Cook County Schools Chris Lindholm said question two is contingent upon question one passing. Question three is contingent upon both questions one and two passing.

The scheduled referendum information sessions are below:

• August 28 at Cook County School during the Open House – 4-6 p.m. in the Media Center
• September 3 in the Media Center at 7 p.m.
• September 4 in the Media Center at 6:30 p.m.
• September 12 in the Media Center at 5:30 p.m.

The informational sessions will include a 10-15 minute presentation with an opportunity for the public to participate in a Q&A about the proposed facility improvements. 

“The goal is really to just make sure we’re being transparent,” Lindholm said. “To make sure that people have an opportunity to have their questions answered.”

Find more information about the referendum here.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Superintendent Chris Lindholm about the proposed referendum and the upcoming information sessions. The audio from the interview is below.

Kalli Hawkins August 27, 2024