Q. Instead of using portables, why can’t D41 take back the schools on Main Street and Spring Avenue that the Park District is using?
The Park District owns both of these buildings, so any change in use must be by mutual agreement. D41 engineers found that the Main St. building needs significant renovations and could house only one-third of the required classrooms. The Park District has told D41 that it needs the Spring Ave. building. D41 and the Park District continue to discuss ways to collaborate to meet mutual needs.

Q. If D41 is so overcrowded, why does the district allow students from other towns to attend its schools?
Students from parts of five towns have always been part of D41: Carol Stream, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Lombard and Wheaton. Sometimes students move mid-year and are allowed to finish the year in the school they started in. Laws governing the education of homeless students mean that occasionally a student whose family is in temporary housing outside the district attends D41 schools.

Q. Is the district considering year-round school?
No. Last year, the Board of Education evaluated costs, feasibility and community acceptance of the idea as one option for keeping class sizes down in the face of growing enrollment. Residents have made it clear that they do not want year-round school and the Board has said it will not pursue the option.

Q. Will trees have to come down to accommodate the portables?
Only at Lincoln, where two trees will come down to make room for the portables. In addition, a tree fell down on the Lincoln site in February and two other unstable trees were removed for safety. Tree replacement is part of the Lincoln portable landscape plan.

Q. I heard that District 41 had raised taxes beyond what voters approved in the last referendum. Is this true?
No. In 2001, D41 passed a referendum for a 55-cent tax rate increase and has never exceeded the voter-approved rate. For more information on the referendum and school funding, see the next page.

Q. Will District 41 go for referendum at the same time as District 87?
We do not know D87’s plans at this time. While we are sensitive to the overall tax burden from all taxing bodies, we have to focus on the best way to meet the needs of our students.