All the facilities projects add up to $139,815,893. 

An itemized list of projects can be found here.

The projects on the November 2018 referendum totaled $166.4 million. Following the defeat of the November referendum, the Board met weekly to listen to the community, to discuss next steps for the facilities of both Central and South, and how to fund $42 million in infrastructure repairs, safety and security upgrades, ADA improvements and upgrades to electrical systems and lighting in older classrooms. 

On January 12, 2019, the Board finalized the projects on the April 2019 referendum, and the total was reduced from the $166.4 in November to $139.8 for April, or a reduction of $26.6 million. The full list of projects and the changes can be found here.  Most of the cost reduction comes from reducing the size of both pools, eliminating the conversion of the current pool space at Central to classrooms and science labs, eliminating the upgrades to the auditorium at Central and eliminating the flexible furniture for both schools. 

New information has become available since the the 2015 Board decided on the April 2017 referendum dollar amount.

Every 10 years school districts are required to complete a 10-Year Life Safety Study, District 86's most recent Life Safety Study was completed in 2017. Also at this time the District completed building envelope and paving assessment studies. These studies found infrastructure, safety and security issues at both campuses. In addition, an audit of both pools conducted by Counsilman-Hunsacker revealed safety and other deficiencies that were previously unknown.  

It is also a bigger number because the 2017 Board listened to a Community Task Force consisting of representatives from all seven elementary districts and both high school attendance areas who met to review the MFP recommended projects totaling $185 million. Then the Board reviewed each project line by line to get to $166.4 million in November 2018. Following the defeat of the November 2018 referendum, the Board held meetings every week until December 17, 2018 to listen to the community and to determine how to address $42 million worth of infrastructure repairs, upgrades to safety and security, improvements to ADA accessibility, and upgrades to electrical systems and lighting in classrooms. 

The Board then paired the $166.4 million in projects for November 2018 to $139.8 million in projects for April 2019.

The law requires it. 

If the referendum passes, the District is required to use the money only for the projects identified in the proposition. If the final cost for all projects came in under $139.8 million, the District could abate back to the taxpayers any extra dollars. The District cannot use the money to add staff or to increase salaries or benefits.

Also, if the referendum passes, Superintendent Law has recommended forming an independent community group to oversee expenditures of proceeds from the bond sale.

Yes. If successful, 57% of the money will go to Hinsdale Central and 43% will go to Hinsdale South. For reference, 65% of the student population attends Central and 35% attends South.

The Transition Center is not included in this referendum because its facility is new, opening in August 2016.

Of the total $139,815,893, 57% or $ $79.9 million is allocated to projects at Central, and $59.9 million, or 43% is allocated to projects at South. Projects were based on need.

For reference, current student attendance is 65% at Central and 35% at South.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. 

As detailed on the project list, $2.1 million is allocated to Central and $6.5 million is allocated to South. These numbers are the costs to renovate the STEM spaces at each school. The April 2 referendum is a facilities referendum, by law the money can only be spent on facilities. It cannot be spent on salaries, benefits, equipment or curriculum.

Because the area under renovation is larger at South and the renovation work is more extensive. There are classrooms that are not ADA compliant because the entryways are angled and there are stairs that someone in a wheelchair or walker could not navigate to get into the some classrooms. Other areas include space that is only half finished, like a garage would be in a home, meaning drywall and HVAC would need to be installed. 

The architect has computed the cost estimates for the projects and all of those costs have been verified by the District’s Owner’s Representative, an independent third party that acts in the best interest of the District, meaning the Owner’s Rep does not make money based on the total dollar amount of the referendum.

No. The bidding process does not happen unless the referendum passes.

In order to put projects out to bid, the architect has to complete detailed drawings. Detailed drawings are very expensive and there is no need for them unless the referendum passes to provide money to fund the projects. The architect has computed the cost estimates and all of those costs have been verified by the District’s Owner’s Representative, an independent third party, architect by training, that acts in the best interest of the District, meaning the Owner’s Rep does not make money based on the total dollar amount of the referendum.

If the referendum passes, construction would begin with Life Safety items in summer 2019. 

Assuming everything goes smoothly, the estimated time for the completion of all projects according to ARCON is fall 2021.

That means children in 6th grade and younger would begin their high school years with these projects complete. 

The architect and the owner's representative have each verified the numbers. They have accounted for the typical 4% annual increase in construction costs and there is contingency built in to allow for unforeseen circumstances once construction starts. 

As is standard for major construction projects, contingencies have been built into the plan for unforeseen costs that may arise during construction. If project costs were to extend beyond the estimated amounts, the Board would adjust project scope. However, the architect and the owner’s representative, an independent third party architect by training who represents the District’s financial interests in construction projects, have planned for rising construction costs. Moreover, the District’s municipal adviser has also accounted for the current rising interest rate environment in estimating borrowing costs.

Contingencies have been built into the plan for unforeseen costs that may arise during construction. If the projects finish under budget, the remaining amount could be abated back to taxpayers and result in a lower tax impact than is estimated elsewhere in this FAQ.

All public bodies, including District 86, must comply with The Prevailing Wage Act. Annually in June, the Board adopts a resolution stating that the District will pay prevailing wage rates as set by the Illinois Department of Labor for the coming fiscal year.

The most current resolution and most current list of prevailing wage rates in DuPage County can be found here: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/hinsdale86/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=AZ3JM94C315C.

Typically, these wages are approximately 30% higher than in the private sector. 

The District is bound by the Act to pay the prevailing wage rates as set by the Illinois Department of Labor. These wages are approximately 30% higher than labor rates in the private sector. That higher labor rate translates into higher construction costs for public bodies. 

No. The District must comply with the law.