Every once in a while, there comes a time to stand up for certain things in life.

I want you to understand why I believe the current proposal for the school referendum is one of those things. I have had the opportunity to study the referendum proposal since its inception. I have watched a group of very dedicated individuals take approximately two years to develop a proposal that will carry our school district forward. Like many of you, my wife and I have children, or know children, in the school district. We are concerned about our future.

We, as a community, have successfully invested in a number of projects that have moved our quality of life forward in our area. We have invested in the Sycamore Road area to the point where it is now a shopping and business destination. The Re:New DeKalb group has invested in the downtown and impressed all of us with their building improvements and painting projects. And what about the community investment in raising donations to help build the new hospital? What a beautiful and state-of-the-art facility!

Since the last referendum, the school district has also done a number of things that have delayed the inevitable. The remodeling of three schools, redistricting, grade reconfiguration and putting portable classrooms throughout the district have now taken place. Getting the municipalities and developer’s cooperation to increase impact fees and transition fees and getting the city’s cooperation in restructuring TIF [Tax Increment Financing] district are now in place. The school district has invested in a tax abatement/rebate structure that has helped bolster the Park 88 and industrial property tax base. And last, but certainly not least, the school district has been successful in maintaining a financial record that puts us at the best bond rating available for construction projects. These things, along with many others, have greatly helped, but we still have a space issue in the schools that has to be addressed by taking the next stop.

I have seen a momentum for this referendum proposal that I have not seen before. There is a feeling that this could be the time. I believe that one of the next, and most important, steps in our community, is to invest in the school district. I hope you have taken the time, or will take the time, to study the community’s proposal on what is the best for the tax money spent. I believe that we have an opportunity to improve our school district to the point where we can all be proud to call ours.

Please join my wife and me as together we take the next step. Vote yes for our future. Vote YES for the school referendum.

Andy Small
Board of Education
District 428

All comments are moderated before being published. We will not edit your comments, but we also will not approve those that are abusive, off-topic, attack another poster or contain information we know to be libelous or false.

During peak weekday viewing times, most comments will be reviewed within six hours. For more detailed information, click here.

After submitting your comment, check below for a confirmation message.

• Your name:
• Enter text from image:
  

• Your comment:

* 300-character count. HTML formatting will not display.