Frequently Asked Questions

If the proposal is approved by voters, the district would be able to generate $6 million annually, giving the District the ability to create additional classroom spaces at each of our four schools while other funds will be used to staff, maintain, and support these additional classrooms in order to keep class sizes reasonable. The timeline for planning and construction would be developed quickly but could take up to two years to build the additions onto each building. Please refer to the presentation linked at the top of the webpage for more details.

If the proposal is not approved, SD113A would continue to face challenges due to rapidly growing enrollment and space constraints. While the district values keeping class sizes reasonable, there would be a need to increase class sizes at most grade levels. The district would also have to make decisions around potential programming cuts in order to have more dedicated classrooms. Additionally, larger spaces in the schools like Library Resource Centers or dedicated specials’ classrooms may need to be transformed into general education classrooms with those programs either becoming mobile (on carts) or being eliminated.

In Illinois education, the "limiting rate" is the maximum property tax rate a school district can levy for funds subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL). It acts as a revenue control mechanism, capping a district's annual property tax extensions to the lesser of 5% or the rate of inflation (CPI).

The financial challenges District 113A faces today are not the result of overspending. Compared with peer districts, District 113A operates with a lower tax rate, lower per-pupil spending, and lower State funding, clear evidence of long-standing fiscal discipline and careful resource management. Many peer districts have tax rates significantly higher than District 113A’s, receive substantially more State Evidence-Based Funding per student, and spend significantly more per pupil each year, underscoring the District’s sustained commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Many peer districts have tax rates up to 45% higher than District 113A’s, receive substantially more State Evidence-Based Funding per student, and spend at  least 30% more per pupil each year,  underscoring the District’s sustained  commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Tax Rate Comparison 

The financial challenges District 113A faces today are not the result of overspending. Compared with peer districts, District 113A operates with a lower tax rate, lower per-pupil spending, and lower State funding, clear evidence of longstanding fiscal discipline and careful resource management. Many peer districts have tax rates significantly higher than District 113A’s, receive substantially more State Evidence-Based Funding per student, and spend significantly more per pupil each year, underscoring the District’s sustained commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Instructional Per Pupil Spending Comparison 

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Operational Per Pupil Spending Comparison 

District 113A is placing a limiting rate referendum on the November 2026 ballot. If approved, the limiting rate increase would generate an estimated $6,000,000 annually. Use the online tax calculator to calculate your home’s tax impact.

In 2022-2023, the District reopened Central School as part of its plan to address increasing enrollment and reduce class sizes. That plan accomplished its intended goal and provided additional classroom space across the District.

Since that time, however, enrollment has continued to grow. Approximately 300 additional students have enrolled in the District since Central reopened, creating new space needs that were not present in 2022-2023. The District has continued to monitor this growth through multiple independent enrollment studies, including the most recent study in 2026. 

As enrollment has increased, the District has taken a measured approach—using existing space efficiently, making adjustments within its schools, and continuing to monitor enrollment before considering larger facility investments.

Based on current enrollment and projections, additional classroom space is now needed to maintain reasonable class sizes and provide appropriate learning environments for students. Rather than constructing a new school, which is estimated to cost approximately $65–70 million or more, the District is proposing additions to its existing school campuses. This approach is intended to address current and projected enrollment needs while making use of the District’s existing facilities and infrastructure.

SD113A has proactively worked to manage growth:

• Reopened Central School for the 2022-23 school year
• Repurposed internal spaces (LRCs, shared rooms)
• Adjusted staffing to meet increasing enrollment
• Explored reclaiming district-owned property
• Conducted multiple demographic studies
• Participated in Village Technical Review Committee processes
• Acquired adjacent property to expand parking at Central

To address current and future capacity needs, SD113A has evaluated short and long term facility expansion solutions including:

• Classroom additions at all existing schools
• Use of modular (temporary) classrooms
• Reclaiming district-owned facilities
• Building a new school

We currently do not have available classroom space at our four schools to be able to handle current and projected enrollment increases.

SD113A is a good steward of taxpayer dollars, and when facing challenges with space, opted for the most cost-effective solution for facilities, which is adding onto current buildings. We considered building a new building; however, the cost was the highest of the options. Additionally, other districts have utilized a similar option and found that enrollment numbers didn’t increase to those levels, resulting in school closures, which we want to avoid for our taxpayers.

Our facilities were built to last and are well-maintained, but the challenges of simply not having enough space to serve our growing student population require the district to look into other options. Additionally, this proposal ensures that not only will we create extra spaces, but we will have the funds to staff those spaces and keep class sizes reasonable while maintaining our commitment to excellence in programming. 

Yes. SD113A is partnering with architects to determine the priorities for this proposal which will include renderings of planned additions and renovations. There is not a need to purchase additional land at this time, but the district is closely watching properties around schools with future growth in mind. 

Election Day is Tuesday,  Nov. 3 with early voting beginning on Monday, Oct. 19. and ending on Monday, Nov. 2.

You must be registered to vote and reside in SD113A to participate in the Limiting Rate Referendum Election. 

Get more information about the voting process from the links below:

• Illinois State Board of Elections
• Village of Lemont Elections Information 
• Cook County Clerk’s Office
• DuPage County Clerk’s Office