Here is a place where we answer some of the frequently asked questions about issue 3D on your ballot. If you have a question, please e-mail us at [email protected].
You can find more information about the proposal on the School District 27J website.
- Why does SD27J need additional funding?
- What is a "Mill Levy Override" and while we're at it, what is a "Bond"??
- When's the last time 27J passed a mill levy override?
Why does SD27J need additional funding?
Right now, School District 27J is the lowest funded school district in the metro area. This means that everything from textbooks to technology have been falling out of date. It also means that our teachers and instructional staff earn less than those who work at neighboring districts. We don't need to be the best-funded school district in the area, but we have to do more to attract and retain talent to the district so our kids can succeed.
What is a "Mill Levy Override" and while we're at it, what is a "Bond"??
The best way to remember this is "mills are for bills, and bonds are for buildings". Back in 2015, the voters in 27J passed a bond to help ease overcrowding, but those funds can't be used for things like paying teachers, instructional staff, and upgrading textbooks. "Mills" are the measure used to calculate property taxes in a district. Issue 3D is a narrowly-tailored increase in property taxes to fund things like pay for teachers and instructional staff as well as technology and textbooks.
When's the last time 27J passed a mill levy override?
It's been a really long time. We passed a small mill levy override back in 2001. It's time.