What is the estimated tax increase?

If the referendum is successful, the following chart shows the monthly tax impacts for homes of varying values.

The estimated tax rate increase per $100 EAV for years 1 and 2 is $0.42 and years 3-20 is $0.71. 

$100,000 Market Value Home ---> $9.67/month in years 1 and 2

                                                      ---> $16.25/month in years 3-20

$200,000 Market Value Home ---> $21.42/month in years 1 and 2

                                                      ---> $36.08/month in years 3-20

$300,000 Market Value Home ---> $33.17/month in years 1 and 2

                                                      ---> $55.92/month in years 3-20

Further information about the property tax impact can be found here

Why is there a tax difference between years 1 and 2, and years 3-20?

You may notice there are two different structures for the bond. There are numbers listed for years 1-2 and then numbers listed for years 3-20. The reasoning behind this unique structure is to be sensitive to the residents of Atwood-Hammond that are still paying on a bond that was issued by the Atwood-Hammond school district. It is our hope that structuring the potential bond this way will help alleviate the potential stress of paying on two bonds for the short duration.

What is a Bond Referendum?

Simply put, a bond is much like a personal home loan, and is a way for government entities, such as school districts, to borrow money for large projects and repay them with future tax proceeds. An individual generally approaches a financial institution for a mortgage because they don't have the means to pay for their home with one large initial payment.

What is the ballot language?

Shall the Board of Education of Arthur Community Unit School District Number 305, Douglas, Moultrie, Coles, Piatt and Champaign Counties, Illinois, improve the site of, build and equip an addition to and alter, repair and equip the Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School Building, including replacing heating and ventilation systems, adding air conditioning to classrooms and other spaces, constructing secured entryways, renovating space for educational and vocational programs and improving accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $24,600,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

How do I vote?

All registered voters in the Arthur CUSD #305 are eligible to vote in this election. Residents may also request absentee ballots and find a complete list of voting locations by visiting your county clerk website: Douglas County Clerk Website, Piatt County Clerk Website, Moultrie County Clerk Website, Coles County Clerk Website, Champaign County Clerk Website.  

Can I vote early?

Yes! Early voting begins 40 days preceding the election and extends through Nov. 4. Any qualified voter may vote prior to Election Day at any site established for early voting by the election authority. The most up to date information about early voting and other ways of casting your ballot can be found by visiting your county clerk website: Douglas County Clerk Website, Piatt County Clerk Website, Moultrie County Clerk Website, Coles County Clerk Website, Champaign County Clerk Website.  

How many yes votes are required for the bond referendum to pass?

A simple majority (50 percent + 1) is required for the referendum to pass.

How was this plan developed?

In open houses, listening sessions, and with a survey, we asked about what our district should do regarding a facility improvement plan. We heard, loud and clear, that it is imperative to address facility needs at our high school. We also heard to focus on just that - and only that.

Why should we do the work now and not wait until later?

Just as homeowners must sometimes spend money to maintain their homes, the District must spend money to protect the investment that the community has made in its schools and neighborhoods. If approved, the bond issue will allow us to help protect the financial future of our District, upgrade the educational environments for our students, and allow CUSD #305 schools to remain a source of pride in our community.

Investing in updated and improved buildings will benefit many future generations of students and homeowners. The facilities will be more efficient to operate thus saving our District money. It is good financial and educational planning.

Finally, building costs continue to go up.  Every year we wait to address these needs, we end up spending more money to get less in return. 

What are the identified needs that will be addressed if the bond proposal is successful?

Hundreds toured our high school and learned that renovation and repair is needed. This is a conservative plan funding improvements that are needed right now. There are no frills or luxury items. The improvements will improve our high school for many generations of students.

The areas in need are obvious:

• Safety and security upgrades.

• Air conditioning of classrooms.  

• Accessibility for students with physical disabilities.

• Out-of-date and cramped ag and industrial tech instructional areas.

• Classrooms and lab improvements to accommodate today’s best practices in education, i.e. Industrial Tech, CTE, Ag

• Updated infrastructure — things like plumbing, electrical, lighting, HVAC, and doors. 

What is the timeline for design and construction?

If approved by voters on Nov. 5, design of the addition and renovations would begin immediately. Due to the extent of renovation and reconfiguration to existing spaces, much of the project would likely be completed and in use for the Fall 2027 school year. However, the balance of the project would likely be completed for the Fall 2028 school year. This schedule is tentative and has been developed by the Architect and Construction Manager as a team. This schedule will be evaluated and refined through the design process to deliver the best project for Arthur CUSD #305. 

Will these projects disrupt student learning?

Every effort to ensure a continuation of a high-quality learning environment is planned. Construction at schools is a very common occurrence. While things will feel different and be a bit busy at times, efforts will be made to limit student and contractor traffic and occupancy, noise is controlled and limited to non-peak times, and ultimately that we are able to continue delivering as much of our high quality programming as possible. In fact, the project may provide a learning opportunity for the students as well. Observing the construction and design process has been found to peak student’s interest in those careers. 

What will the District do if the referendum does not pass?

The current needs will not go away. Delaying improvements will only result in higher costs in the future. The proposal, if approved in November, will provide urgently needed upgrades, and avoid expensive future repairs. If the referendum is not successful, it would cause the Board of Education and administrative teams to rethink next steps.  

I don't have children who attend CUSD #305. How does the bond referendum benefit me?

High quality schools are one of the single most impactful factors when looking at thriving successful communities and they help to maintain strong property values. Protecting our school is an investment in our community, an investment in the value of every homeowner in our community. Besides property value, this bond referendum is an efficient and effective way to add to the educational experience and provide our students with the 21st Century education they deserve. 

What happens if economic conditions change and prices for projects increase?

With today’s economy, if the proposal is approved by the voters, the district will be diligent to protect the taxpayer’s investment while completing the identified projects in the bond referendum proposal. The current budgets developed throughout the planning process are based on local and regional projects of similar scopes and types.  These figures not only estimate costs related to design, and construction, but also include contingency dollars that allow for unknown items to be accomplished as the design progresses. In addition to the basis of the budget, through the design process there will be more detailed estimates taken to ensure the scope and budget remain intact.  There are no guarantees when it comes to construction, but the district and its architect have taken every measure to position the district for a successful project. 

Is the flood plane an issue with the proposed project?

The short answer is no.  The floodplain on the High School property stops just West of the existing storage building. When considering building and site improvements, we have made initial contacts with State agencies to confirm that our current plans to expand parking further into the floodplain is acceptable. In the future, further expansion for a potential gym, could also be accomplished without extending into the floodplain. 

Why are we not considering building a brand new building?

One of the proposals was to build a brand new building. The exploration of a new building was considered, however, an estimated cost of $47.7 million was deemed to be fiscally irresponsible. The architect determined that the bones of the current high school could support renovations and upgrades that would serve our students for years to come.

Why does the district have to go to referendum; can't the district explore any other alternative funding options, like grants?

The district consistently applies for and has been granted various grants over the years.  One grant that is offered through ISBE that has been applied for and received is the matching school maintenance grant.  This grant is a matching grant of $50,000.00 and the district has applied those amounts to the various bathroom and other maintenance projects throughout the years.  We were also able to utilize ESSER grant dollars to assist with various initiatives and projects including the recent bathroom remodels.  There are no other large-scale construction/maintenance grants available.  We are going to referendum to pay for the much-needed upgrades and repairs needed to provide our students with the educational spaces they deserve.