Tax Hike Likely In Hinsdale District 86, Athletic Upgrades Eyed

Editor's note: The original version of this story mistakenly stated that the property tax increase for a median-valued house would be $378. It is actually $83, the district said.

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86 took the first step Tuesday toward a property tax hike to pay for building projects.

Though the numbers have shifted, the district now says it plans to go $79.7 million in debt. That would amount to a $83 hike for a median-valued house, which is nearly $570,000. The amount would rise $10 annually.

Of the debt, $34.7 million would go toward work that the state designates as being for "life safety."

About half of the life safety money would be spent on a new heating plant at Hinsdale Central, a long-discussed project.

The other $44.5 million in debt would be earmarked for a variety of projects. Residents are pushing for athletic facility improvements, with officials appearing to agree.

In 2019, District 86 voters approved borrowing $140 million for projects at both Central and South high schools.

A big chunk of that money went to new pools at both campuses. But officials in 2023 said they were unable to determine how much of the referendum money went toward the work because they were bid out by trade, not project. (The pool cost estimates totaled $24.3 million in 2019, about 17 percent of the $140 million).

The district presented information showing that it had the lowest property tax rate among 20 of its high school counterparts, many of them with wealthy tax bases.

'Horrible places'

At Tuesday's school board meeting, Superintendent Chip Pettit, who started in June, said the impact on taxpayers would be minimal. The goal, he said, was to avoid going to referendum.

Recently, Pettit and other officials visited New Trier and Stevenson high schools, both with similarly wealthy student bodies.

He said he would not recommend that the district copy the two other suburban schools.

"What I am suggesting is that we need to keep up, or we'll risk falling behind as a district of choice for families considering moving into or already living in the community and also to protect and enhance property values," Pettit said.

The district hasn't come up with detailed plans on how to spend the non-life-safety money.

But officials are considering proposals for improved athletic fields, science labs, weight rooms, locker rooms and culinary arts classrooms. Officials are also looking at an expanded outdoor commons area at Hinsdale South.

Board member Bobby Fischer spoke about his school tour, saying he found the locker rooms "disgusting."

"There was water on the floor, and they are not accessible to anyone with a disability. They were horrible places," he said. "If we brought the community through the locker rooms, the community would support this effort."

'Dungeon of a weight room'

During public comments, residents supported going into debt, but said they wanted athletic facilities to benefit.

Hinsdale South parent Heather Ruff said the school's athletic facilities need many improvements, including air conditioning in the gym.

"The dungeon of a weight room could really use some help," she said.

Craig Cassell, a volunteer football coach at Central, said he is at the school daily.

"What I see firsthand is that our athletic fields and facilities are significantly outdated and behind, compared to peer schools in Chicago and Illinois," he said.

Dick Flesher, a retired Central social studies teacher and varsity soccer coach, called for major upgrades to the school's Centennial field. It is known for a lack of playability and poor safety conditions, he said.

"This past Saturday, the referee of the varsity game nearly didn't allow the game to take place because sprinkler heads were stuck in the ground in an immovable, upright position on the goal line," Flesher said.

He blamed athletes' injuries on dips and "choppy" areas in the field.

Parent Amber Nolan pushed for improvements to Central's softball fields. Doing so, she said, would avoid constant upkeep as a result of drainage issues.

"Let's invest in these fields now and create a three-season, year-round community asset, instead of making piecemeal repairs," Nolan said.

The board voted unanimously for a procedural step for the $44.5 million portion of the debt. Member Jeff Waters was absent.

This is the district's information on planned "life safety" projects: