District 214 — Pledge to Vote NO on an Estimated $527 Million Property-Tax Hike
District 214 wants to make your life more expensive
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Your property taxes are high enough. A sampled property near district headquarters has an estimated total effective property-tax rate of 2.72% of home value, compared with the 0.90% national average—approximately 202% higher. Homeowners already carry a heavy tax burden. This referendum would add another decades-long obligation to their bills.
The advertised price leaves out millions in interest. District 214 is asking to borrow $295 million, but that figure excludes the interest taxpayers would also pay. Estimated repayment over 25 years reaches approximately $527 million—including $232 million in interest. About 44 cents of every repayment dollar would go toward financing rather than school improvements. Interest rates have skyrocketed since June: the 30-year AAA municipal benchmark jumped from 4.10% to 5.08%—nearly 24% higher.
More taxes for fewer students. Inflation-adjusted property taxes per pupil increased approximately 155% between the 1976 and 2024 comparisons, while enrollment declined approximately 40% between 1975–76 and 2024–25. The district’s annual property-tax levy also increased every year from 2015 through 2024, rising from $209.5 million in 2014 to $293.5 million in 2024—40.1% higher. Its last bond referendum was in 1971. No bond referendum has clearly not meant no tax increases.
Voting NO rejects the new debt and tax hikes while existing funding and annual taxing authority continue.
Pledge to vote NO. Share this with your neighbors. Request a Vote No yard sign: [email protected].
Referendum Facts:
- Borrowing requested: $295 million.
- Estimated interest: $232 million.
- Estimated total repayment: $527 million.
- Repayment estimate: Assumes 5.08% interest and equal annual payments over 25 years.
- Annual tax increases: The levy increased in ten consecutive years, 2015–2024. The board also approved a higher 2025 levy request.
- Existing investment: The district reports nearly $200 million in building improvements funded from reserves over the past decade.
- Existing taxing authority: PTELL generally permits annual increases in covered tax collections up to inflation or 5%, whichever is lower, plus new-construction revenue, subject to applicable limits.
Pledge to vote NO. Share this with your neighbors.
Request a Vote No yard sign: