More than 66% of voters from the Village of Northfield and a portion of Northbrook turned out to the polls March 17 to approve a $23.5 million bond referendum to renovate and partially rebuild Middlefork School, one of two elementary schools in Sunset Ridge School District 29.
Unofficial election results from the Cook County Clerk’s Office show the referendum passing, with 66.9% of voters choosing to approve the property tax increase and 33% of ballots cast against the measure.
Of a total of 1,384 ballots cast with 100% of precincts reporting, 926 voted in favor of the referendum and 458 voted against. About 37.5% of registered voters cast a ballot.
Votes are unofficial until certified by Cook County and then finalized by the Illinois State Board of Elections.
District 29 asked voters to approve a bond referendum that would allow the district to borrow money in order to fund an infrastructure upgrade and partial rebuild of Middlefork, a K-3 school.
The district projects the renovations will cost about $40 million and the proposed $23.5 bond referendum is expected to fund a portion of that total project cost.
Residents who live within District 29 boundaries, including Northfield and some Northbrook homeowners, with a $500,000 fair market value home can expect to see an annual property tax increase of $444. Owners of a $1 million market value home will pay an extra $920 in property taxes per year.
District 29’s website provides a tax impact calculator for voters to estimate their total annual and monthly property tax increases.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the strong support for the Middlefork School project, evidenced in the vote last night,” Superintendent Edward Stange told the Pioneer Press in an email.
“The passage of this referendum ensures that we can continue to offer high-quality educational experiences in facilities that reflect the pride we all share in our schools.”
The renovation and partial rebuild of Middlefork aims to improve both the safety and security of the elementary school, with improvements to address aging infrastructure problems and modernization efforts to meet current educational standards, the district said.
Improvements to the elementary school include, but are not limited to: Enhancing safety systems through reinforced materials and secure entry points, upgrading the fire suppression and storm shelter system, building ADA-compliant restrooms and accessible indoor and outdoor pathways, installing energy-efficient HVAC, plumbing, roofing, electrical and lighting systems and building out a new two-story layout with 23 purpose-designed classrooms organized by grade level.
Stange told the Pioneer Press additional renovation fees not accounted for in the $23.5 bond referendum will be financed through a combination of “anticipated interest earnings on bond proceeds, fundraising efforts and a future debt certificate issuance planned for 2028.”
“We recognize that the decision to raise taxes was not made lightly, and we deeply appreciate the trust that the D29 community has placed in us,” Stange said. “We are committed to honoring that trust by being thoughtful stewards of these resources and maintaining open communication throughout the planning and construction process.”
Two other referendums affecting Northfield and Northbrook residents passed, per unofficial results, all raising property taxes for a majority of homes in the area.
Northfield Park District’s 0.1% tax increase to make improvements to its park systems and build out its 2023-2028 Comprehensive Plan passed on election night with 57.6% of voters in favor of the referendum.
The referendum will result in a tax increase of about $30 per $100,000 in property value or $300 for a $1 million fair market value home per year.
Northbrook Rural Fire Protection District’s referendum also passed, with 61.2% of voters approving the 0.1% tax increase for improvements to the fire department’s emergency and rescue crew equipment.
A tax increase of about $30.36 per year for a $100,000 property is expected.
Following official certification of the votes, construction of Middlefork School is expected to begin as early as April 2027.
District 29 will initiate a “phased renovation approach” to allow for portions of the existing building to be utilized during construction.
According to district officials, the phased renovation is expected to last 2.5 to 3 years.
