Facilities Plan 2026 Home

What are some of the most important facts regarding District 63’s possible bond referendum? 

• Most District 63 schools are 56-70 years old.
• Core building systems—mechanical, electrical, and plumbing—are at end-of-life and require major replacement to remain safe and functional.
• Districtwide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance issues limit accessibility for students, staff, and community members with disabilities.
• Enrollment is projected to increase by more than 200 students, which will intensify already overcrowded conditions in several schools.
• The District is considering a $163 million bond referendum for the November 2026 ballot to address its highest-priority facility needs.
• The estimated tax impact is $35 per month for a home with a $350,000 fair market value.
• Anticipated benefits for students, staff, and the community include:
  • Creating safer, healthier, and stronger schools
  • Extending the useful life of school buildings
  • Reducing costly and disruptive emergency repairs
  • Addressing overcrowding
  • Improving energy efficiency
  • Ensuring each student has access to a quality learning environment
  • Helping attract and retain quality teachers and staff
  • Protecting property values
  • Continuing to maintain one of the lowest tax rates compared to peer school districts

What are the most urgent facility challenges?
Key challenges identified across the District include:

• Aging infrastructure: Districtwide system upgrades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, lighting, and exterior repairs, would improve air quality, comfort, energy efficiency, and long‐term reliability.
• Safety & Accessibility: Improved hallway traffic flow, updated fire‐safety systems, ADA‐compliant routes and restrooms, secure entryways,
• mobile classroom removal, and new elevators in elementary buildings would support more secure, inclusive schools.
• Overcrowding & Capacity Needs: New and reconfigured classrooms would relieve overcrowding and provide spaces suitable for today’s instructional needs, including special education and student support services.
• Targeted Classroom Additions: Two‐story additions at Apollo, Melzer, and Washington would provide much‐needed classrooms and support
• areas. This approach minimizes disruptions to learning, as students could remain in their schools during construction.
• Dedicated Gymnasiums: Mark Twain, Melzer, and Washington rely on shared spaces for both lunch and physical education. Adding new gyms at these elementary schools would improve scheduling, support school programs, and enhance community use.
• Modern, Right-Sized Learning Environments: Classroom updates would improve lighting, ceilings, floors, acoustics, furniture, and technology. Renovated libraries and small‐group spaces would support flexible, modern instruction.
• Support Spaces: Updated, appropriately sized spaces would strengthen services such as Dual Language, Life Skills, and STIL(autism) programs, which require specialized environments not supported by current facilities.
• Prioritizing Improvements: All schools, except the recently completed Early Learning Center, would be improved, with the most significant updates at the oldest buildings. Less work is needed at Gemini due to recent renovations.

How were needs identified and prioritized?
The District conducted facilities assessments, life-safety surveys, and educational adequacy reviews to evaluate building conditions, safety needs, and learning-space requirements. Needs were prioritized based on urgency, system age, equity and consistency across schools, and impact on daily operations, student learning, and accessibility.

Preliminary Cost & Tax Impact

• Estimated bond referendum amount: $163 million
• Estimated tax impact: $423/year ($35/month) for a home with a fair market value of $350,000
• Tax rate would remain one of the lowest compared to peer districts
• Tax calculator: Available at www.emsd63.org

Why Act Now?

• Rising construction costs could add more than $35 million within five years
• Aging systems risk frequent, costly repairs
• Addressing space and accessibility needs now reduces reliance on temporary solutions such as mobile classrooms

Would all schools be updated under the proposed plan?
Excluding the recently constructed Early Learning Center, every District 63 school would receive improvements under the proposed plan. The scope of work differs by building because each school has different needs based on age, layout, and existing conditions.

Most elementary schools would see a wide range of updates, including mechanical, plumbing, and electrical upgrades, ADA improvements, certain safety and security enhancements, classroom renovations, and reconfigured learning and support spaces. Gemini Middle School, however, would receive only targeted improvements. 

Gemini underwent a significant expansion and modernization project in 2020 and requires far fewer upgrades than other buildings, including limited infrastructure updates and secure-entrance enhancements.

What types of projects would be included?
The potential improvements vary by school, but would include:

• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system updates
• ADA improvements such as elevators, restroom renovations, and accessible routes
• HVAC/temperature control improvements
• Roofing, tuckpointing, and exterior repairs
• Elimination of mobile classrooms
• Classroom additions and reconfigurations
• Updated learning environments to improve natural light, acoustics, flooring, lighting, ceilings, and furniture
• Spaces for student support services
• Food‑service area improvements
• Library/media center renovations
• Addition of gym at Melzer, Washington, and Mark Twain
• Site improvements for traffic flow, parking, and sidewalks
• Secure entry upgrades at Gemini

Why are classroom additions included in the potential solutions?
Several schools lack sufficient classroom space to support current enrollment, special education, and student-support services, and enrollment is projected to grow in the coming years. Classroom additions would relieve overcrowding and provide right-sized learning environments. At schools like Apollo, Melzer, and Washington, two-story additions make the most sense because they efficiently add space within a smaller footprint and allow classrooms to stay in use during construction.

Which schools include gym additions, and why?
Melzer, Washington, and Mark Twain Elementary Schools include gym additions in the potential solutions because they currently rely on shared multipurpose rooms for both lunch and physical education. This setup creates significant scheduling conflicts, limits instructional time, and restricts opportunities for schoolwide events and community use. Dedicated gyms would allow PE classes, meals, and large-group activities to occur without overlap and would help meet program needs as enrollment grows. The new gyms would have designated entrances for school and community events to maintain security.  

Could the scope of improvements change based on community feedback?
Yes. Input gathered through meetings, surveys, and community outreach would help shape the final proposal before the Board determines whether to place a measure on the  August 2026 ballot. 

What are the anticipated benefits of the proposed improvements?

1. Safer, healthier schools
2. Upgraded infrastructure, reducing emergency repairs
3. Improved ADA accessibility
4. More space to relieve overcrowding
5. Consistent, modern learning spaces
6. Stronger program support
7. Lower long-term costs
8. Extended facility lifespan
9. Enhanced ability to recruit and retain teachers and staff
10. Property value protection

What is a bond referendum?
A bond referendum asks voters to approve borrowing funds for capital improvements, such as construction, renovations, and major system replacements. If approved, the bonds are repaid over time through property taxes. Bond funds can only be used for facilities and cannot be used for operating expenses.

What is the estimated size of the proposed bond referendum?
District 63 is considering a 25-year, $163 million bond referendum.

What is the estimated tax impact?
The estimated annual tax impact is approximately $423 ($35/month) for a home with a fair market value of $350,000. A tax impact calculator is available so residents can estimate impacts based on their property value.

Would delaying these improvements increase costs?
Construction inflation and the likelihood of system failures mean that delaying improvements would likely increase total costs over time. The proposed improvements would help reduce reliance on costly emergency repairs.

Has the District been fiscally responsible?
The District has proactively invested between $300,000 and $6.5 million per year in capital improvements and has used non-referendum bond funding for smaller projects. Major recent improvements, like the Gemini renovation and Early Learning Center, were completed with non-referendum funds. However, with most buildings now 56-70 years old, a more comprehensive funding solution is required to replace major systems and add needed space.

Why can’t the District continue making repairs instead of issuing voter-approved bonds?
The District has addressed many needs through ongoing maintenance and targeted projects, but maintenance funding is designed for short-term fixes, not the coordinated replacement of major systems that are reaching end-of-life across multiple buildings.

Addressing issues only as they arise can result in repeated, duplicative work and higher long-term costs. A long-term bond allows the District to plan and complete major improvements comprehensively and more efficiently, rather than relying on ongoing reactive repairs.

What improvements has the District made recently?
The District completed a major renovation and expansion at Gemini Middle School in 2020 and opened a new Early Learning Center in 2020. These projects addressed specific needs at those sites. However, many other District buildings and systems are several decades old and continue to require significant updates.

How does District 63’s tax rate compare to neighboring districts?
District 63’s tax rate is among the lowest when compared with nearby peer districts.

How will the $163 million be broken down publicly by school and by project category, and what kind of regular financial reporting and audits will be provided specifically for these bond funds?
The breakdown below represents estimates from our architectural firm, verified by an independent third-party cost estimating firm.

Capital Improvements Cost Breakdown by School

• Apollo Elementary: $64.2M
• Mark Twain Elementary: $22.3M
• Melzer Elementary: $22.2M
• Nelson Elementary: $19.4M
• Washington Elementary: $25.2M
• Gemini Middle: $6.9M
• Family Resource Center: $2.8M

Capital Improvements Cost Breakdown by Category

• Building Additions: $81.9M
• Gymnasium Additions: $16.2M
• Accessibility: $11.3M
• Kitchen Renovations: $2.6M
• Heavy Renovations - Learning Environments: $15.9M
• Light Renovations - Learning Environments: $12.3M
• Heavy Renovations - Support Space/Corridors: $13.7M
• Light Renovations - Support Space: $0.8M
• Site Improvements: $2.5M
• Infrastructure Improvements: $5.8M

Regular reports on the progress of the projects and how the costs are tracking relative to the budget will be provided to the Board and available to the public. Monthly Board meetings are open to the public and are broadcast and recorded. Also, Illinois law requires all school districts to be audited annually by an independent accounting firm. Please refer to the Business Services section of our website to find our most recent audited financial report. It is also important to note that for over a decade, District 63 has received the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials International. Approximately seven percent of the 851 Illinois school districts receive this award. 

Was a Health/Life Safety (HLS) Ten-Year Survey recently completed by the State’s Regional Office of Education, and how does District 63 plan to fund the facility needs identified?
Yes. A State-required comprehensive facilities audit was completed. The District plans to issue $35 million in HLS bonds in 2026, not to exceed $35 million, to address the required facility improvements. The improvements addressed by the HLS financing are separate from the proposed renovations and additions to be funded by the proposed bond referendum.

What communities does District 63 serve?
The District serves portions of Des Plaines, Niles, Morton Grove, Glenview, and Park Ridge.

How many students and schools are in the District?
District 63 serves approximately 3,700 students in five elementary schools, a middle school (grades 6-8), an early learning center, and a Family Resource Center.

How old are the school buildings?
Most District buildings are several decades old, averaging nearly 60 years old. The Early Learning Center is relatively new, but many other facilities are approaching or exceeding typical system life expectancies.

• Apollo Elementary (1970), 56 years 
• Early Learning Center (2020), 6 years
• Family Resource Center (1967) 59 years
• Gemini Middle School (1959), 67 years (updated in 2020)
• Mark Twain Elementary (1962), 64 years 
• Melzer Elementary (1956), 70 years
• Nelson Elementary (1961), 65 years 
• Washington Elementary (1959), 67 years 

How can residents learn more or provide input?
Residents can attend Board of Education and public information meetings, review informational mailers, participate in an upcoming community survey, and visit the District website at emsd63.org/proposal for updates and resources.

When will a decision be made?
The District will share information with the community and seek feedback through early summer 2026. The Board of Education is expected to decide by August 2026 whether to place a bond referendum question on the November 3, 2026, ballot.

If pursued, who would be eligible to vote on the referendum?
All registered voters residing within District 63 boundaries would be eligible to vote. 

Would there be public oversight?
Yes. If the referendum were approved, the District would provide regular updates, including funding and construction details, through its website, social media, and other communications channels to ensure transparency and accountability.

What if residents have questions? 
Residents are encouraged to contact us at proposal@emsd63.org or via "Have a Question?" with questions or feedback. 

Transparency matters. This calculator is designed to help you understand how the proposed District 63 referendum could affect your property taxes.

To use the calculator, enter the amount you paid in property taxes for 2025 (based on the 2024 levy). The calculator will provide a personalized estimate of the annual increase you may see on your property tax bill as a result of the referendum.

This estimate reflects the projected annual impact of an East Maine School District 63 referendum bond issuance. The bonds would be repaid over 25 years, and the additional tax impact associated with the referendum would remain on property tax bills for the life of the bonds. When the bonds are issued, the District is required to file the total principal and interest amounts to be collected each year with the Cook County Clerk. These annual amounts are fixed and will not increase year over year.

This calculator cannot account for certain factors that may affect your actual tax bill, including changes in your property’s assessed value or changes in the overall assessed value of property within District 63 boundaries. As a result, your actual tax impact may differ from the estimate provided.

The referendum-related amount will not appear as a separate line item on your property tax bill. Instead, it will be included within the District 63 line item, which also reflects the District’s overall tax levy. While the District’s levy may increase annually, the Property Tax Extension Limitation Act (PTELL) limits that growth to the lesser of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or five percent.

Click here to use the Tax Impact Calculator

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