Dist. 159 Referendum Committee Readies Campaign

In the coming weeks, Mokena residents can expect to see green, gold, white and silver ribbons wrapped around trees, canvassers going door-to-door, and bumper stickers and refrigerator magnets urging them to "Be informed."

It's all part of the action plan of a referendum committee made up of residents who are supporting a 29-cent increase per $100 assessed value on property taxes. The increase, along with continued budget cuts, would help trim Mokena School District 159's deficit and allow the district to maintain and bring back programs, including the full-day kindergarten, according to Superintendent Karen Perry.

Perry has said that if the district continues to operate in the red, it eventually will be taken over by the state and consolidated with a neighboring district. Precincts Subcommittee Chair Bob Kral said if the referendum passes, property taxes on a $300,000 home in Mokena would be $290. If the district eventually is consolidated with Summit Hill, it would be $950, he said, adding: "And we would not be able to vote on this." 

The committee met for the fourth time Monday night to begin implementing its campaign for the referendum District 159 voters will face on Nov. 2. Here are some of the items that were addressed:

• Canvassers will visit registered voters door-to-door on Oct. 10, Oct. 24 and Oct. 30 to distribute informational leaflets and colored ribbons. Residents can tie the ribbons around their trees to show support for the referendum. 
• The committee is setting up Twitter and Facebook accounts to connect electronically with residents.
• The finance subcommittee will begin an e-mail campaign for small donations. 
• District administrators and other speakers will give presentations to civic and government organizations. Perry clarified that while they cannot tell residents how to vote, they can present facts to residents and organizations.

The committee will meet three more times — on Oct. 4, Oct. 20 and Oct. 26. There also will be two town hall meetings — on Oct. 6 and Oct. 12 — to answer residents' questions about the referendum, School Board President and temporary Committee Chair Tim King said. 

In February, a referendum on a 48-cent increase was defeated. King said this time the action plan is oriented more toward "going out there and sharing information."

"We've learned a lot on how you approach something," he said.