Last Wednesday, the South Berwyn Elementary School District 100 school board voted to put a property tax rate increase referendum on the ballot on the April 4 election.
The proposed referendum would increase the property tax rate by 60 cents to $4.195 per $100 of assessed property value. For someone paying $4,000 in property taxes, the increase would be around $150 per year. For someone paying $5,000 in property taxes, the increase would be around $188 per year. For someone paying $6,000 in property taxes, the increase would be around $225 per year.
If the referendum passes, there would be an increase of $2.2 million dollars in property taxes collected by the district, around a 17% increase in property taxes. Last year, the district collected $13.3 million in property taxes. The increase would have brought the property taxes collected to $15.5 million (all things being equal).
The district has been running a deficit in the millions of dollars the last few years due to cut backs in state funding and increased enrollments in the district. The district's budget in 2015 was around $45 million dollars in expenditures.
When was the last time a tax referendum for Berwyn schools passed?
Quote from: markberwyn on January 27, 2017, 09:11:24 PM
When was the last time a tax referendum for Berwyn schools passed?
Both D98 and D100 passed tax rate increase referenda in the late 1980s. Also, D100 passed a property tax building bond referendum in the late 1990s to acquire money to build the two middle schools.
D201 has not passed a tax rate increase referendum since the late 1960s. There were 3 attempts by D201 to pass a tax rate increase in 2006 and 2007 but all 3 failed. There was also an attempt by D201 to pass a tax rate increase referendum in 1993 when the Klingenburg scandal broke. The 1993 referendum failed with an astounding 93% NO vote.
D100 attempted to pass both a tax rate increase referendum and a separate building bond referendum in 2014 - the combined referenda would have increased the average Berwynite's property tax bill by around $1,000 (a 20% increase).
This time around D100 is going for only a tax rate increase referendum and they are lowering their expectations to a more modest increase. Last time around, the feeling of board members was that people would either vote for or against the referenda regardless of the cost to the tax payer and that it was simply a matter of getting out the pro-tax increase people.
In 2014, the tax rate increase referendum lost with an 80% NO vote and the building bond referendum lost with a 70% NO vote. What the board heard from the community was that even people who usually support tax increases to support the schools thought the district was asking for too much of an increase and they could not afford such a steep increase in their taxes.
The 2014 tax rate increase would have brought in an additional $6 million dollars in property tax revenue. The 2017 proposed referendum will bring in about $2.2 million dollars - enough to plug the deficit holes in the budget and make up for cutbacks in state money as well as address the 10% increase in enrollments over the last 10 years.
Australia did a study on education,the results were if we let teachers teach and discipline the students the results are much better then just throughing money at the system.The was on WLS radio this morning,I though this to be very interesting.
How were these "results" measured? What metrics were used? How did the study explain how "throughing" money at the system stifles discipline and keeps teachers from teaching?
Send an e-mail to Australia!
This response doesn't befit the critical thinking skills you cultivated while pursuing a Master's Degree. You say you found the report interesting, and I presume that's because you found parts of the report persuasive. What exactly did you find interesting about the report?
Quote from: berwyn senator on February 25, 2017, 12:49:00 PM
Australia did a study on education,the results were if we let teachers teach and discipline the students the results are much better then just throughing money at the system.The was on WLS radio this morning,I though this to be very interesting.
What do you do if you don't have enough money to pay all the teachers and they all quit and get other jobs?
What happens if you do not pay teachers a salary that is the same as other districts so they all quit to get jobs in other districts?
What happens if you do not have enough money to pay teachers to teach in a classroom that is a viable size (say 15 to 20) and the teachers are having to teach and discipline a classroom of size 35 to 40?
Your scenario works only if you have the money to pay the teachers, doesn't it?
What happens if all the teachers quit because of a district's financial situation?
I only made a statement as to what was on the radio to me it was interesting that Australia would do such a study thats it. I'll bet some wish they had obtained a masters degree, why worry about me ,worry about yourself.I have nothing against teachers earning a good living, my biggest bitch is the political involvement in the educational system. I am surprised more of the good teachers remain,I have meet with teachers in private schools whom earn less income. The left the public system because of the stress and political involvement.These are excellent teachers and are are doing very well, they are allowed to teach.
Quote from: berwyn senator on February 26, 2017, 01:32:11 PM
I only made a statement as to what was on the radio to me it was interesting that Australia would do such a study thats it. I'll bet some wish they had obtained a masters degree, why worry about me ,worry about yourself.I have nothing against teachers earning a good living, my biggest bitch is the political involvement in the educational system. I am surprised more of the good teachers remain,I have meet with teachers in private schools whom earn less income. The left the public system because of the stress and political involvement.These are excellent teachers and are are doing very well, they are allowed to teach.
What does it mean to be "allowed to teach"? How are the teachers in the public-school system not "allowed to teach"?
Also, by the by, I did a quick google and found the news story about what I suspect is the study you're referring to:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/education/classroom-discipline-key-to-lifting-academic-performance/news-story/99fea8ce58cc72e42586f7939c444863 (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/education/classroom-discipline-key-to-lifting-academic-performance/news-story/99fea8ce58cc72e42586f7939c444863)
First off, the study wasn't conducted by "Australia," but a university that's based there. Second, while it argues that discipline reaps more benefits than financial investment, it doesn't suggest that financial investment in education is somehow a problem. It certainly doesn't suggest that slashing school budgets improves schools, and it doesn't say that schools are "throughing" money at the problem.
But maybe I'm misunderstanding something, senator. What's your read on it?
I did not think that it was that important to go indept as you did but thanks for doing so,I am glad you have the time.
Quote from: berwyn senator on February 27, 2017, 09:30:18 AM
I did not think that it was that important to go indept as you did but thanks for doing so,I am glad you have the time.
It sounds to me like you want to starve the schools of funding---the only idea you seem to express a strong opinion about is that too much money is spent on the kids.
I figured it was very important to you because you've started multiple threads on the importance of education, and how you were the beneficiary of a better one than others.
My pet theory about the people who resist funding the public schools in Berwyn is that it's old-school Berwynites who dislike anything that supports brown people, so they say they're voting their conscience because of "politics." And because the school board is elected, they can always say that there's too much "politics."
Quote from: markberwyn on February 27, 2017, 02:46:18 PM
My pet theory about the people who resist funding the public schools in Berwyn is that it's old-school Berwynites who dislike anything that supports brown people, so they say they're voting their conscience because of "politics." And because the school board is elected, they can always say that there's too much "politics."
I opposed the referenda in 2014 and it had absolutely nothing to do with supporting "brown people" and had everything to do with the cost of the property tax increase - a 20% increase. Most people, including the elderly and low income families, would not have been able to afford such a drastic increase.
I'm taking the long view here, Ted. Are you really going to deny that race is a motivating factor in Berwyn politics?
Quote from: Ted on February 28, 2017, 07:19:30 AM
Quote from: markberwyn on February 27, 2017, 02:46:18 PM
My pet theory about the people who resist funding the public schools in Berwyn is that it's old-school Berwynites who dislike anything that supports brown people, so they say they're voting their conscience because of "politics." And because the school board is elected, they can always say that there's too much "politics."
I opposed the referenda in 2014 and it had absolutely nothing to do with supporting "brown people" and had everything to do with the cost of the property tax increase - a 20% increase. Most people, including the elderly and low income families, would not have been able to afford such a drastic increase.
There may be some folks who dislike brown people, but overall I agree with your assessment regarding low income families. I'll take it a step further and suggest even those who are not low income still guard their money closely due to broader economic concerns regarding the housing and job markets.
It would be interesting peruse the D100 Facebook page to see who's pushing or supporting what. BCK, well... that's a shitshow regardless of ethnicity!
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 07:57:33 AM
I'm taking the long view here, Ted. Are you really going to deny that race is a motivating factor in Berwyn politics?
Berwyn is a different place today than it was even 10 years ago. Not everyone who opposes the tax rate increase does so because of race - I think it is mostly due to economics.
I honestly don't think Berwyn has the "race" problem that you seem to perceive it has.
Well, this has less to do with how Berwyn "is" than who in Berwyn votes. And in non-Presidential elections, more conservative voters come out; if Berwyn is historically different on that front, I'd love to hear about it. And it doesn't require a huge mental leap to recognize that a lot of those voters are like berwyn senator---older, deeply suspicious of nonwhite residents, and forever skeptical of supporting schools beyond the generation they grew up in. Are you telling me that every single Morton-related tax proposal since the late 60s failed because the "economics" were bad?
How can anyone who does not live in Berwyn ,vote in Berwyn have a clue as whats going on in our town.A racist I would say you are,I need not defend myself or any older residents in Berwyn against being racists only a fool would think we are. If I were to move I would go to Oak Park!!!!!!! Where do you live?I stated in the past I and many others have always voted for the schools. When you assume you make and ass out of yourself, folks like us stayed in Berwyn ran businesses in town schooled our children in town and are still are here.Yes Ted you are correct those that oppose rate increases do so because of economics!Berwyn has not had a race problem for many years.Where I live we have excellent neighbors and we all get along and have so for many years. So please spread your bullshit about racism in your town not Berwyn!!!!!
Quote from: Ted on February 28, 2017, 09:58:52 AM
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 07:57:33 AM
I'm taking the long view here, Ted. Are you really going to deny that race is a motivating factor in Berwyn politics?
Berwyn is a different place today than it was even 10 years ago. Not everyone who opposes the tax rate increase does so because of race - I think it is mostly due to economics.
I honestly don't think Berwyn has the "race" problem that you seem to perceive it has.
I agree. Berwyn is 60-70% Latinx, and a growing portion of the rest is younger and more progressive.
Quote from: berwyn senator on February 28, 2017, 01:52:56 PM
How can anyone who does not live in Berwyn ,vote in Berwyn have a clue as whats going on in our town.A racist I would say you are,I need not defend myself or any older residents in Berwyn against being racists only a fool would think we are. If I were to move I would go to Oak Park!!!!!!! Where do you live?I stated in the past I and many others have always voted for the schools. When you assume you make and ass out of yourself, folks like us stayed in Berwyn ran businesses in town schooled our children in town and are still are here.Yes Ted you are correct those that oppose rate increases do so because of economics!Berwyn has not had a race problem for many years.Where I live we have excellent neighbors and we all get along and have so for many years. So please spread your bullshit about racism in your town not Berwyn!!!!!
You follow welfare recipients out to their cars to criticize the niceness of the cars they drive.
When a march defending immigrants was announced, you said you hoped it got rained on.
You've said that the city has gotten worse and suffers from an epidemic of drive-by gang shootings. You complain about "Section 8."
You've complained that your efforts to obtain an education were somehow stifled by quotas, which you called "quotes."
Will these younger and more progressive people that Berwyn is now full of be voting on school measures? Because people like berwyn senator definitely will.
Wake up and smell the coffee my friend, people on the news are seen mooching money then leaving getting into new cars.They have been proven to collect money from the government.I don't follow these people you said I do! Educational quotas are still in place.Don't you read or listen to tv shootings are at an all time high!They are happening all around. Very obvious you have never owned real estate and had section 8 apartments ruined or buildings wrecked.Because you do not live in Berwyn there is no way your opinions or statements hold any water. Wake up your way too young to have any clue as what is taking place in any town,or form any opinon on an individual.My family has as I have remained in Berwyn and have been involved in the school system for years, have you?
Quote from: berwyn senator on February 28, 2017, 06:48:53 PM
Wake up and smell the coffee my friend, people on the news are seen mooching money then leaving getting into new cars.They have been proven to collect money from the government.I don't follow these people you said I do! Educational quotas are still in place.Don't you read or listen to tv shootings are at an all time high!They are happening all around. Very obvious you have never owned real estate and had section 8 apartments ruined or buildings wrecked.Because you do not live in Berwyn there is no way your opinions or statements hold any water. Wake up your way too young to have any clue as what is taking place in any town,or form any opinon on an individual.My family has as I have remained in Berwyn and have been involved in the school system for years, have you?
Please provide a link to one legitimate news story backing up any of the points you've just made here. Just one link. I have zero faith that you are capable of doing this, despite the top-flight education that you are in possession of, but prove me wrong.
What do other people on this board think of berwyn senator's points? Do you see people "mooching money" and getting into new cars? Are you seeing lots of "section 8 apartments ruined"? Where are the shootings happening in Berwyn? "All around"?
(Please remember to provide your age in your response. Berwyn senator judges your comments not on the sense of the argument but on how old the person commenting is.)
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 03:18:31 PM
Will these younger and more progressive people that Berwyn is now full of be voting on school measures? Because people like berwyn senator definitely will.
No one said Berwyn is full of them.
Quote from: Bonster on February 28, 2017, 09:00:25 PM
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 03:18:31 PM
Will these younger and more progressive people that Berwyn is now full of be voting on school measures? Because people like berwyn senator definitely will.
No one said Berwyn is full of them.
Neither did I.
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 09:04:43 PM
Quote from: Bonster on February 28, 2017, 09:00:25 PM
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 03:18:31 PM
Will these younger and more progressive people that Berwyn is now full of be voting on school measures? Because people like berwyn senator definitely will.
No one said Berwyn is full of them.
Neither did I.
I'm not sure what you meant by
"these younger and more progressive people that Berwyn is now full of," then.
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 06:59:04 PM
What do other people on this board think of berwyn senator's points?
Honestly, I haven't taken the time to decipher them. :)
Quote from: Bonster on February 28, 2017, 09:08:59 PM
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 09:04:43 PM
Quote from: Bonster on February 28, 2017, 09:00:25 PM
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 03:18:31 PM
Will these younger and more progressive people that Berwyn is now full of be voting on school measures? Because people like berwyn senator definitely will.
No one said Berwyn is full of them.
Neither did I.
I'm not sure what you meant by "these younger and more progressive people that Berwyn is now full of," then.
Sarcasm. Maybe there are younger and more progressive people, but it's the berwyn senator types who go out to vote and stand in the way of efforts to increase school funding.
Quote from: Bonster on February 28, 2017, 09:11:17 PM
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 06:59:04 PM
What do other people on this board think of berwyn senator's points?
Honestly, I haven't taken the time to decipher them. :)
Doesn't take long, and it's worth the while. You'll learn a lot about a substantial portion of Berwyn residents.
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 09:11:39 PM
Quote from: Bonster on February 28, 2017, 09:08:59 PM
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 09:04:43 PM
Quote from: Bonster on February 28, 2017, 09:00:25 PM
Quote from: markberwyn on February 28, 2017, 03:18:31 PM
Will these younger and more progressive people that Berwyn is now full of be voting on school measures? Because people like berwyn senator definitely will.
No one said Berwyn is full of them.
Neither did I.
I'm not sure what you meant by "these younger and more progressive people that Berwyn is now full of," then.
Sarcasm. Maybe there are younger and more progressive people, but it's the berwyn senator types who go out to vote and stand in the way of efforts to increase school funding.
Gah! I remember an old White Sox forum where they demanded green fonts to denote sarcasm. :)
I do agree economics are an issue, just look at the gas guzzling vehicles most people driver interesting where their priorities are never paid attention before! Could education be last?
Quote from: berwyn senator on March 02, 2017, 02:39:14 PM
I do agree economics are an issue, just look at the gas guzzling vehicles most people driver interesting where their priorities are never paid attention before! Could education be last?
This doesn't male a lick of sense to me. People care about their cars more than their children in Berwyn?
Why would a person drive a gas hog when there are many choices? Priorities my friend! Oh! buy the way any recent drive buy shootings? Just a thought to give you something to do.
Quote from: berwyn senator on March 02, 2017, 08:19:12 PM
Why would a person drive a gas hog when there are many choices? Priorities my friend! Oh! buy the way any recent drive buy shootings? Just a thought to give you something to do.
I'd love to read a copy of the letter you sent to President Obama thanking him for setting stricter fuel-efficiency standards. Less money on gas guzzlers, more money for parents to spend supporting their children!
Wake up my friend! look what is parked and on the streets, this definitely has an economic effect on peoples priorities.How much is more money when a vehicle is getting 12 MPH using premium gas. No comment on drive by shootings in Berwyn?
Quote from: berwyn senator on March 04, 2017, 09:26:35 AM
Wake up my friend! look what is parked and on the streets, this definitely has an economic effect on peoples priorities.How much is more money when a vehicle is getting 12 MPH using premium gas. No comment on drive by shootings in Berwyn?
What was the MPG of the car you drove in the Good Old Days, when you were getting tanked and chasing tail and pursuing your Master's degree?
I drove a 6 cylinder stick shift, gas was 24'9 per gallon,$2.00 ran all week and some.I was not alone during school years.Could never do that today.I have always had my priorities in order and did most of my friends whom are all retired very comfortably.
Just noting here that for all the horrible things I've heard about Cermak Road's decline, it looked just fine when I popped into Czech Plaza tonight. Cermak Plaza and the surrounding businesses looked as full and busy as I'd seen them in years. Good job, Berwyn commercial strip!
Did you travel east?pobably not.The west end is just fine.Try the Crystal out west on Ogden Ave. I think its in Westmont.Or Mccook Restaurant on 66.Another Czech I would guess.
Quote from: berwyn senator on March 05, 2017, 11:58:31 AM
Did you travel east?pobably not.The west end is just fine.Try the Crystal out west on Ogden Ave. I think its in Westmont.Or Mccook Restaurant on 66.Another Czech I would guess.
Tell me what the worst intersection in Berwyn is, and I will go there and check it out!
Crystal Sky West Banquets is on Joliet Road, in Mc Cook.
It is NOT owned by a Czech.
I just had a nice lunch at Connie's and wasn't murdered!
Quote from: The Jackal on March 05, 2017, 12:56:42 PM
Crystal Sky West Banquets is on Joliet Road, in Mc Cook.
It is NOT owned by a Czech.
You beat me to the punch... LOL
The Czech Plaza in now owned by a Chinese person, not that there is anything wrong with that. He learned how to cook the Czech food by the previous owners.
Wait till you hear who's cooking the food at Connie's!
The Bohemian Crystal is the restaurant I was referring to sorry, and MC Cook resturant in MC Cook.
I would say the worst interaction in Berwyn would be Harlem and Cermak RD. or Harlem and Ogden.
Quote from: berwyn senator on March 06, 2017, 09:18:15 AM
I would say the worst interaction in Berwyn would be Harlem and Cermak RD. or Harlem and Ogden.
OK, senator.
Something all might like to listen to WIND morning radio AM 560 March 10 2017!!!! Crook county Taxes.