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Oswego District 308 asks community to help prioritize projects to be funded under $317 million bond plan · Kendall County News - Shaw Local

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  Azwego District 308 asked community to help prioritize projects to be funded
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  under $317 million bond plan. Written by Eric Shelkov This
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  article is being read by an automated voice brought to you by
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  Everlet. Oswego School District 308 plans to form a committee of community
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  members to help prioritize infrastructure projects included in the district’s $317 million
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  bond referendum.
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  Voters approved the referendum by a wide margin in Tuesday’s election.
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  In the coming weeks, we will share a community interest form for
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  residents who would like to serve on a facilities subcommittee, District 308
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  Superintendent Andalib Khelghati said in a letter to community members.
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  Whether you are a parent, a longtime resident, a local business owner,
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  or someone with experience in construction, finance or facilities management, we would
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  welcome your perspective, Khelghati said.
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  The form will be on the district website, social media channels, and
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  upcoming newsletters.
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  The district serves all of Oswego as well as parts of Montgomery,
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  Aurora, Plainfield, Joliet and Yorkville. It is the seventh largest district in
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  the state.
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  The referendum dedicates 79% of funds to critical infrastructure upgrades, including
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  improvements to HVAC systems and roof replacement.
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  Flooring, plumbing, electrical and building exterior improvements are also being proposed. The
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  referendum also includes $38 million in safety and security improvements.
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  Planned improvements include installing secure entrances, where doors stay locked, and visitor
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  interaction happens away from student spaces.
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  District 308 said modern access controls would also be installed where an
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  alert would sound for any door left open or unlocked, and doors
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  would lock and unlock on a set time schedule.
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  Other planned improvements include updated camera systems and digital intercoms that would
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  reach every classroom and outdoor space for weather alerts and emergencies, District
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  308 said.
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  These bonds will allow us to update aging infrastructure, strengthen safety and
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  security, and improve our school sites for decades to come, Khelghati said.
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  We will continue to offer transparent, honest communication and opportunities for engagement
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  as the plan moves forward,
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  The district had a facility assessment done of its 22 schools. School
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  district officials said almost 70% of the schools were built between 2001
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  and 2008 and are now reaching the age where major systems need
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  replacement.
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  Because the district is retiring existing long-term debt at the same time,
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  homeowners would see a decrease in the debt service portion of their
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  property taxes, even if the referendum is approved, officials said.
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  For a home with a fair market value of $300,000, residents would
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  pay about $100 less per year starting in 2028, and an additional
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  $56 less beginning in 2036, the district said.