If we want to continue to see academic gains from District 45 students, we need to vote to pass the referendum.

 

District 45 is empowering all learners to cultivate hope, build confidence, and realize their full potential. Regardless of circumstances or backgrounds, every student in our district is given the opportunities and support they need to succeed.

 

The community focus on improving our students’ academic performance is beginning to show results. Over the past seven years, the district has completely overhauled the curriculum, modernized learning environments, upgraded technology, and increased social emotional supports for all students. As a result, we’ve seen student reading scores more than double in the past four years, and District 45 students are 1st in math and tied for 1st in science in the state proficiency assessment among peer districts in DuPage County.

 

Many of these improvements would not have been possible without the community’s overwhelming approval of a $30 million bond referendum in 2020. In addition to helping improve academic performance, this referendum allowed the district to establish full-day kindergarten, build a new Early Childhood Center, and enhance school safety and security. It also helped improve accessibility and address infrastructure challenges.

 

However, because District 45 is funded at only 85% of adequacy, operating with nearly $8 million less per year than recommended, the recent academic gains are at risk.

 

We need to pass the referendum so the district can work to expand, rather than reduce, instructional and extracurricular programming.

 

If the referendum passes, the district will not need to reduce instructional programming, which would have reduced or eliminated non-mandatory core programming, including at-risk preschool services, advanced academics, and elementary specials, and resulted in a shortened school day. The district will also not need to reduce or eliminate co-curricular and extracurricular activities, including before and after school opportunities for students. Instead, the district will be able to work to expand instructional programming, creating more opportunities for students through increased course offerings, electives, specials, and accelerated core options.

 

Our students deserve the same opportunities afforded to students in other districts. Vote yes on the referendum to keep District 45 moving forward!