This years school vote is in four parts. There will be a budget for next year, purchase of school buses, creation of transportation capitol reserve, and four positions on the school board. The vote itself will be happening Tuesday May 20, 2025 in the High School Lobby, which can be found on the east side of the High School. Nearest doors are off East Street, at the entrance to the High School.
Quick election recommendations:
No? to Budget
Yes to Buses
Yes to Transportation Reserve
Yes to Candidates (Pick 4 of 5)
Location
Voting location is in the High School Lobby. Which is different then it has been for the past few years. But if you’ve been voting long enough, or use the pool/A Gym frequently, you’ll recognize the location. Also different voting machines, but having used them for the Village’s recent election, I don’t think that will be a difficult transition.
Budget
I’m mixed on the budget itself. On the one hand, I don’t think a better option is available at this time. On the other, I dislike the model of constantly raising taxes to the levy limit. I’ll need to think on this more, but I suspect I’ll vote no. Thankfully, I do have some time to ponder and reconsider.
Buses
As in the past, and while the numbers change, buses are simple enough. This purchase avoids debt, is part of a regular replacement schedule, and is needed for the logistics of the current model. So long as those three things remain true, approving this expense seems better then the alternative.
Transportation Reserve
As I understand this proposal, it is roughly the same as opening a savings account. No money goes into it now, no money is spent yet. But a place is prepared to store money for future expenses. Perhaps electric buses, perhaps not. Either way, seems an easy approval to me. Let the District open whatever saving accounts it thinks are helpful. We’ll just have to remember to keep an eye on the money in the future, as it goes in and out.
Board of Education
Board of Education members are more complicated this year than most. First, in the interest of full disclosure, I am one of the candidates here. Second, we’re picking four this year, instead of the usual three.
Reasoning for the different number is there was a resignation part way through a term, which means someone will end up filling the remainder of a term. As I understand the process, highest three votes get the usual three year terms. While the fourth place gets the remainder, which is a one year term. Seems a good enough way to deal with this unusual situation.
As I am one of the candidates, it doesn’t feel proper offering too much of an opinion on the other candidates, as I am clearly biased. But I will say a few things: Bios are available for your reading. There is a ‘Meet the Candidates’ portion of the Budget Hearing, which should end up on the 2025-26 Budget page as well as being viewable ‘live’ and after the fact.
And with that, we have a week to ponder more before the actual election is upon us.
As said at the top, polling location is the High School Lobby, which can be found on the east side of the High School. Nearest doors are off East Street, at the entrance to the High School. Election time is 7AM and 9PM.
(and a thank you to the district for producing this image reminder)