Redefine 109: Revised with Community Input

• Deerfield Public Schools District 109 has reached a significant moment in our history, in our future. After more than three years of planning, and with thoughtful input from a representative Referendum Task Force, the Board of Education voted to place a facilities referendum on the March 2026 ballot.
• The referendum question was developed with extensive community input. Results of public opinion polling and other feedback showed high tax sensitivity, as well as strong confidence in our schools. We listened. As a result, the Board approved a referendum that reduces the tax impact from the original proposal by 33%.
• The revised referendum plan addresses the most pressing facility needs: critical infrastructure, safety and security, accessibility, and learning environment needs.
• This site is your go-to source for accurate, accessible, up-to-date information. Whether you’re a parent, staff member, neighbor or longtime Deerfield resident, we invite you to explore the materials, attend an event and ask questions. This process is about more than buildings, it’s about student learning for generations to come.

If the referendum does not pass, the District will conduct community outreach to better understand voter sentiment. Then, the the Board of Education will make the decision on next steps:

• Ask voters again in November 2026 (either the same plan or a revised plan)
• Ask voters again another time

Meanwhile:

• Construction costs will continue to increase by ~$9M annually, so either the plan would need to be reduced further, impacting classroom space in new and renovated buildings, or the tax impact would have to increase
• Risk of infrastructure failure continues (and, therefore, the risk of school closures and remote learning) 
• Space issues and other facility challenges remain unmet

Another option would be for the Board to forego a future referendum and continue maintaining the district’s existing buildings. This approach has been outlined in presentations and is estimated to cost approximately $177 million over the next 20 years. 

The proposed referendum addresses critical facility needs across District 109 while maintaining fiscal responsibility and the overall impact to taxpayers.

What the Proposal Includes

• 2 New Elementary Schools
  • Walden Elementary – complete replacement
  • Wilmot Elementary – complete replacement
• 2 Renovated Elementary Schools
  • Kipling Elementary – renovation and addition
  • South Park Elementary – renovation and addition
• Targeted Middle School Improvements: Safety, security, HVAC and learning space updates at Caruso and Shepard

Review the CCS (Owner's Representative) Capital Program Report 

Why It’s Needed

• Addresses aging infrastructure and outdated mechanical systems; failure of some of these systems could lead to school closures/remote learning for an extended period
• Ensures our schools are ADA accessible
• Expands and modernizes learning spaces to meet today’s educational standards
• Reduces ongoing emergency repairs and costly system failures
• Avoids higher costs due to construction price escalation (currently ~$9M per year)

Funding Proposal

The plan calls for more than 60% of the total project cost to be funded by the District with non-referendum dollars, including fund balance and alternative bonds, neither of which would increase the current tax rate. The District is asking the community to consider a referendum that funds the other 39.4%, which is $87,780,000.

You can view additional details in the presentation at the December Board of Education meeting:

 Presentation from 12/18/2025 Board of Education meeting