It is on the agenda for the next board meeting.
- DATE: 3/14/2018 TIME: 7:00 PM
- LOCATION: WWSHS (1920 S. Wiesbrook Road, Wheaton, IL 60189)
At the Last Finance Meeting 3/7/2018
- they call it a lease
- the district does not take the title for the new building until they pay $1.00 (with grant or donated money) after all “lease payments are made”
- The district cannot raise taxes to pay this one.
When asked what part of the school code gives them permission, PMA referenced 10-22.12. I asked why 10-22.36 does not apply. Bob responded “I don’t know what that is.”
During public comment I asked our superintendent, Dr. Schuler if he has something in writing from a lawyer as to why the district does not need a referendum. He assured everyone that he spoke with the district lawyer and this is legal – nothing in writing.
In the pursuing discussion, it was implied that bond council looked at the legality. But, bond council simply looked at the legality of issuing lease certificates. The district’s general council should look at the requirement for referendum.
Did anyone actually look at the legality of leasing a yet to be constructed school, on school property, using “lease certificates” for funding without taxpayer approval as required by 10-22.36?
(105 ILCS 5/10-22.36)
Sec. 10-22.36. Buildings for school purposes. To build or purchase a building for school classroom or instructional purposes upon the approval of a majority of the voters upon the proposition at a referendum held for such purpose or in accordance with Section 17-2.11, 19-3.5, or 19-3.10. The board may initiate such referendum by resolution. The board shall certify the resolution and proposition to the proper election authority for submission in accordance with the general election law.
The questions of building one or more new buildings for school purposes or office facilities, and issuing bonds for the purpose of borrowing money to purchase one or more buildings or sites for such buildings or office sites, to build one or more new buildings for school purposes or office facilities or to make additions and improvements to existing school buildings, may be combined into one or more propositions on the ballot.
Before erecting, or purchasing or remodeling such a building the board shall submit the plans and specifications respecting heating, ventilating, lighting, seating, water supply, toilets and safety against fire to the regional superintendent of schools having supervision and control over the district, for approval in accordance with Section 2-3.12.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, no referendum shall be required if the purchase, construction, or building of any such building (1) occurs while the building is being leased by the school district or (2) is paid with (A) funds derived from the sale or disposition of other buildings, land, or structures of the school district or (B) funds received (i) as a grant under the School Construction Law or (ii) as gifts or donations, provided that no funds to purchase, construct, or build such building, other than lease payments, are derived from the district’s bonded indebtedness or the tax levy of the district.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, no referendum shall be required if the purchase, construction, or building of any such building is paid with funds received from the County School Facility Occupation Tax Law under Section 5-1006.7 of the Counties Code or from the proceeds of bonds or other debt obligations secured by revenues obtained from that Law.
You can find these portions of school code by starting at ilga.gov/
- Click on “Illinois Compiled Statutes”
- Click on “CHAPTER 105 SCHOOLS”
- Click on “105 ILCS 5/ School Code.”
- Press <ctrl-f> and Search for “10-22.36”
2001 modification to the law
The original law (105 ILCS 5/10-22.36) prior to 2001 stated that no referendum was required if the district used funds from the sale of other buildings or funds received as gifts or grants, provided that no funds were derived from the district’s bonded indebtedness or tax levy. That was clear. However, in 2001 the language was changed to add subsection (1) “while the building is being leased by the school district” as well as the clause “other than lease payments”.
The change was made by
- Public Act 92-0127
- Bill number: SB1035 of the 92 general assembly
- Passed in the General Assembly May 01, 2001.
- Approved July 20, 2001
In the transcripts for the House on 5/1/2001,
ilga.gov/house/transcripts/htrans92/t050101.pdf
on pages 49-52 Rep. Black asked
“…I want to make sure, Representative, that we’re not circumventing the right of the voters to say, ‘I don’t think that you ought to buy that building.’”
And Rep Crotty (bill sponsor) replied
“That is not in the Bill….When we’re talking about leasing, many school districts lease a building maybe for a dollar an hour just to be sure that that is not something that needs to be done with referendum. So, we’re not changing that part. And if there are added dollars needed for a school district, they most definitely have to still go through referendum.”
Those who passed it understood that it does NOT allow lease to own in order to avoid the referendum!
(105 ILCS 5/10-22.12)
Sec. 10-22.12. Lease of property for school purposes. To lease, for a period not exceeding 99 years, any building, rooms, grounds and appurtenances to be used by the district for the use of schools or for school administration purposes; and to pay for the use of such leased property in accordance with the terms of the lease. The board shall not make or renew any lease for a term longer than 10 years, nor alter the terms of any lease whose unexpired term may exceed 10 years without the vote of 2/3 of the full membership of the board.
See previous articles:
- Feb. 2018 dupagewatchdog.org/2018/02/cusd-200-cant-afford-a-new-jefferson-pre-school/
- Feb 2018 dupagewatchdog.org/2018/02/school-districts-use-lease-to-own-as-a-huge-illegal-loophole-to-avoid-referendum/
- Jan. 2018 dupagewatchdog.org/2018/01/cusd-200-board-meeting-this-wed-new-pre-k-without-referendum/
- Dec. 2017 dupagewatchdog.org/2017/12/cusd-200-lavished-dr-schuler-with-more/
- Nov 2017 dupagewatchdog.org/2017/11/cusd-200-new-pre-k-building-despite-taxpayers-saying-no/
- Sept. 2017 addition to Monroe dupagewatchdog.org/2017/09/cusd-200-new-early-learning-center-without-taxpayer-approval/
- Aug. 2017 addition to Monroe dupagewatchdog.org/2017/08/cusd-200-whos-in-charge/
BTW: I have told the board in public comments that if they go for another referendum after cutting enough from the bloated salaries and Benefits (starting with Dr. Schuler setting a good example) so that the district can actually afford this new building, while still maintaining the other 19 schools and without raising taxes… then I will help pass it. But, cutting the bloat comes first! If the staff won’t give anything, then it must not be that important.
things to give up:
– signing bonus if Schuler renews again
– end of career bonuses (all)
– pay own pension contribution (Dr. Schuler & Administrators. teachers already do)
– extra sick days for pension padding (teachers)
– Do not raise the pay schedule, in fact if need be, bring the top down. (A 20+ year teacher is not worth more than double a new teacher).
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For the record, I (Jan Shaw) am not a lawyer. But, I can read English, and so can you.
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All the same players – Unicom Arc, PMA, Pepper Construction – and the exact same scheme is unfolding in Lisle CUSD 202. $39 Million new PK-5 School. It was acknowledged by District as a clever scheme to avoid a ballot referendum. They are quite proud of themselves for circumventing a referendum that they knew would fail.
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