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Voters give green light to Gower improvements
Melissa Metcalf (right) of Burr Ridge reacts as Nancy Neuman-Kotecki of Burr Ridge tells her about the early lead in the Gower School District's referendum. The referendum was approved by voters Tuesday. | Steve Johnston~for Sun-Times Media
Updated: December 26, 2012 2:50PM
Voters in Gower School District 62 have said “yes” to updated science labs, bigger early childhood classrooms and a new multipurpose room, among other things, for its pair of schools.
In a 1,134-626 decision Tuesday night, voters in Gower District 62 gave the district the go-ahead to issue $9 million in bonds in order to pay for improvements to the district’s two schools.
“The Vote Yes For Gower Committee and the School Board are all thrilled that the community continues to strongly support the Gower schools,” said Nancy Neuman Kotecki, who led a citizens committee to promote the referendum. “This demonstrates their commitment to continuing academic excellence and their big contribution to the overall community.”
The vote will allow the School District to maintain its current tax rate, rather than drop it down to pre-2004 levels.
The district’s 2004 bond issue will be paid off in 2013. An approved referendum will mean the district will continue to collect taxes as if the bond issue was still active.
Much of the $9 million gleaned from the referendum will pay for state-mandated improvements, but perhaps the most visible improvement will be a new gymnasium at Gower Middle School,
Other improvements include remodeling of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade science rooms to provide more room for experimentation; remodeling of the gym at Gower West to provide better flooring, lighting and storage; more space for early childhood classrooms; and updated facilities for Middle School art classes, family and consumer science classes and industrial tech instruction.
