"For School District 308, it is imperative we seek short and long-term plans to reduce property taxes, yet fulfill the obligation of providing a quality education within needed school district facilities," said Wendt. "However, it is important that we initially collaborate with school district superintendents and boards of education throughout Kendall County prior to advancing this opportunity to voters."................AND........What's SUPER important is that I keep mine and the staffs pockets lined....Oh, did I just say that outloud? Yet another fine money grab example. I'll just shop more online and grocery shop elsewhere.

Sales Tax is a Regressive Tax and you shame us all by even considering it.

Aurora has a sales tax rate of 7.75, Montgomery a tax rate of 7.25 if you raise the sales tax in Oswego to 9.25% why shop at the Oswego Aldi when Montgomery has one about 2 miles away. Aurora has a Best Buy 15 minutes away. Why would a small business consider opening in Oswego when we would have close to Chicago Sales tax rates...

Please people, do not assume that this tax will replace or reduce the property tax. Government agencies DO NOT EVER close or limit revenue streams. Your property taxes will continue to rise as usual in ADDITION to the sales tax. Do not be fooled.

Schools are the backbone of any community like Oswego. As the economy continues to improve over time, people will start looking for new places to move and live and schools are at the top of the list as far as where they move, not a local sales tax. Its quite obvious we need more money to keep up with the other communtiies and most of all do what is right for the kids and the future of our community. The money has to come from somewhere. If Oswego as a whole decides to do with less, just know there are consequences in doing nothing as well.

Couple of internal things District can do, One Stop the NEPOTISM. There are complete households that are employed by our school district. Husbands, Wives, Sons and Daughters. Most companies will not allow this. Good quality employees are being passed over to hire a family member or neighbor. Secondly contract out the custodians and eliminate pension costs. Other districts have already done this with great sucess. Same can hold true with the busing. Everyone without a degree is in some form of pension plan in oswego. Put them in a 401K plan. Remember pension reform is ,and when this get pushed back on the taxpayers of each individual districts, hold on. Start being proactive instead of reactive. Contract out the custodians and bus drivers. Stop the Nepotism.

@ Cindy.....EXACTLY !!!
Smoke and Mirrors.

Although the decision would be decided before the election, here's the first topic I'd like to see some of the candidates reply too.

Would you be supportive of placing this on the Ballot in April?

Aurora has a sales tax rate of 7.75, Montgomery a tax rate of 7.25 if you raise the sales tax in Oswego to 9.25%...

Ummm, 7.75 + 1 = 8.75 and 7.25 + 1 = 8.25 not sure where you get 9.25% from

Also Aurora is at 8.25%
http://www.sale-tax.com/AuroraIL

quick question for you folks with the simple easy answers...How come you didn't apply to fill the vacant school board seat? How come you are not running in the election? You clearly have all the answers.I mean...its simple solutions according to you. Why all the yapping and not the actual buisness of working on the school board? Oh...you are too busy, you just like to hollar from the cheap seat...I see.

I agree our property taxes will still go up, but I agree to placing some of this burden on those that don't pay property tax and reap the rewards. But another tax to pay off debt just sounds like government all over again, rob Peter to pay Paul.

I'd be against voting for this. The new school board turned down a bond issue for a new high school. With enrollment reaching capacity again, where does the new school board thinks they will get the money for a new school when it is needed in a couple of years.

I am guessing the proceeds of said tax would be used to benefit all kids in 308, including those in Will county.

Aurora has a sales tax rate of 7.75, Montgomery a tax rate of 7.25. Now we want to raise the taxes in Oswego, and this encourages businesses to come to us *because ????????*. Mister LeClerc, you may wish to take Doc Wendt on an "educational" tour of Oswego's financial issues, removing his rose-colored glasses in the process.. Maybe our superintendent will learn something of financial issues in our town before we have to watch businesses bail like rats on a sinking ship

Just say NO to a school sales tax!! It's time that Wendt, O'Malley, and the school board live within their (our!) means. There are plenty of areas in which cuts can still be made that won't hurt the kids. And it's time to focus on improving the education of our students. Terrible test scores in this district. So they want more cash to NOT educate the kids. Stop reaching deeper and deeper into our pockets!

Matt Wendt and the school board have no intentions of ever reducing property taxes. This stupid and insulting idea of a school sales tax would be introduced at a low rate and increased over time. If we had a good school district that really educated our kids, this might not be so disturbing. The district's scores are embarrassingly low. These leaders do not deserve more of our money.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Think Globally and Act Locally. Eliminate programs that aren't needed or don't really improve infrastructure or accedemic achievment and are not mandated. Go to half day kindergarten across the board. Get the total staff to student ratio to 20:1. Reduce the need for technology everywhere causing kids to let the machines think for them without understanding how it is performed. Teach knowledge, not information. And if you are realy brave, group the classes to high achiever (AP), average, and below average to improve scores and college enrollment. And lastly, don't waste funds on knee jerk reactions to current "news", "polls", "legal oppinions of counsel", or un-vetted statistics.

Yorkville CUSD # 115 HS Athletic Dept. decided to do away with the HS towel/laundry vendor to lower expenses for winter sports this year and from what I understand it is a new policy going forward. My kid now takes a clean towel to afterschool wrestling practice and brings his own towel home every night after showering at school each night at the end of practice. I was told the cost savings to our school district, CUSD #115 was in the neighborhood of $15,000 to $20,000. The new towel policy is not a big deal to my family, we had extra towels and there is always extra room in the washer when we do a load of laundry on Weekends. This is an example of outside the box thinking that has merit and controls expenses while keeping extracurricular activity school fees flat. I am sure there are other ways to save on other school expenses district wide. From my volunteer experience at our schools, most the families using school services and involved in our schools are usually willing to try an idea if it makes sense and can save some coin.

District 308 will have a hard time selling this referendum idea in Yorkville and Western Kendall County.

"It’s money that would be well spent.” Yeah, like we haven't heard THAT a million times before.

I have posted cost savings ideas above. $19.00 hr Janitors and a pension. Come on wake up

ok smarts could you and your family live in Oswego on 19.00 per hour ? our would like the type of people you would most likely get for min wage around your kids?

Sorry gater and Ayar must of missed the point. Public workers are funded by tax dollars. The object of elected officals is to do the job the most cost effective way. So a janitor in the private sector who does not get a taxpayer funded pension making $12.00 an hour with a 401 k plan if they are lucky. take alook around and what is the number 1 problem in Il. PENSIONS . If you can't afford to live in Oswego then don't live in Oswego. But where does it say that all public employees must be paid a liveable wages by the taxpayers. Tell that to the forclosure people that lost homes because of wages and pension costs which = taxes. Also gater does paying aperson $19.00 an hour make them a better person than a Min wage person. there are many people who made way more than that who lost jobs and are now making minumum wage to make ends meet. Wages don't make the person. Yes clean at the top I agree, But if you can get the same service for a cheaper cost why wouldn't you. Read what Millron wrote. Find cost savings.

Seems like we have some excellent people here to take on new school board positions when the time comes. Or do we? We see that there is a problem with the taxes in this county and the majority goes to the schools, yet they ask for more each year. Are these growing issues? Not sure, considering all of the foreclosures in Kendall, but I do believe that an independent council such as the Kendall County Tax Revolt personnel might want to consider an independent audit of the schools. I bet you would find places to cut and where savings could be made.

If janitors are making this much, as others have described on this forum, the taxpayers and parents should be considering keeping a close eye on all of the activities that involve their children and school budgets. They (the school board and teachers) are expecting the taxpayer to sign blank checks without asking questions.

It would be great if they could find a way to use some tax money to get a bus service for Lakewood Creek Elementary School. It is a huge hassle waiting in those long lines to pick up and drop off my kid and then manage to make it to work on time. I just can't believe that all the people in that line is okay with it.

My point is that other districts have contracted out the custodial work, and bus service to save money. It is the way big business works. Find cost effectives ways. As I posted earlier, nepotism is huge in the district. Not hiring for quality but because firends and families. This has gone on for years but now the party is over. The district is broke and in the hole. As for the forclosure statement, not so much true. I know people who worked for Cat, Lyon Metal,and other companies in the area that have lost jobs. Good paying jobs (so they could afford to live in Oswego) that just went away. In fact my good friend worked for Lyon Metal for over 20 years and his Union good paying job went to other non union locations in Il. Those jobs now pay half. I don't have a problem with any one who is a Janitor or a bus driver, just suggesting ways to save. (Like Other Districts Have) It's not personal it's business. As in business when the monies are not thier you have to cut and find ways to make ends meet. And if you think the bosses or Administrators are cutting from the top down, you must of just moved here from another planet because that's not how we do it in Il. (sad but true). So why are these non certified postions, as they are called exempt from the same thing that is going on in the private sector.

Do any of the 'Wendt's', etc, etc ,in this area and the surrounding districts, actually need to be making a quarter million dollars a year? Really... and why? Over one - half of the President of the US salary. Are you kidding me? And to pick on janitors and other 'working class' for making 19 bucks an hour? C'mon people.. Think...Also do these administrators deserve a close (if not equal) salary when they retire? Good Lord.. what a mess. As always.. the 1st thoughts are to tax more here, tax more there.. Tax, Tax, Tax, until there are no more to tax. Pathetic.

Once again I am not picking on the working class but in reality when it comes down to it do you raise taxes to maintain these sevices that could be done cheaper. Ask a person who has no kids in school who have to pay these school taxes what they think. It's smart business to operate that way. When your wages are based on tax dollars, you always have to be wondering if the hammer will fall. Go protest in front of Lyon metal why they lost jobs. Watch and see what Caterpillar does in the next few years. My point is non certified positions could be trimmed. Doesn't the District use Aramark for the foood service now. I don't want to see people lose jobs but I don't want my taxes to go up to support these jobs either. It is a harsh reality in the Public sector. Do you think the Janitors at the hospital make $19.00 an hour with a pension? no That's business. How about we go to a user fee type tax. If you don't have kids in school you don't pay school taxes. Just saying we need to be agresssive now before the hole gets bigger. Other districts have done it to save money why don't we. Why do we bid out construction jobs for remodling or repairs? To get the better price to save money. Do the same for non certified positions.

As much as I don't like this whole ordeal the reality is that many people are losing pensions and converting to 401k's. I don't know how many years it takes to be vested into the pension plan. But how about anyone who is not vested be excluded and put into a 401k plan. So the new hires for the past 5 years or whatever the number of years it takes to be vested go back and covert them into a 401K. Just throwing out cost saving ideas. No one will lose jobs. You have to start somewhere and if you think administration is going to sit down and asks each other who wants to be laid off your crazy.

Again, i'D LIKE TO KNOW what's the worse that could happen if we just drop the big one and default? What can happen? Our credit rate will be dinged? Sure, but this is Illinois so that's not a strong argument. The entire state is dinged simply because of the mess Illinois is in.
We won't get the maximum return on our bonds? We probably already lost huge amounts to bid rigging if we have a disreputable company (and that6's pretty much the only oneds that do this service) paying that interest rate.
We'll never be able to build another school? Hockey Doo, the fact is after a restructure most organizations become healthier and more attractive than those that are fighting the inevitable. So how bad can it get, really? Anyone know?

Then there's this headline from a MN newspaper that I get each week: "School district tax levy to drop another 1&1/2%". The opening paragraph goes on to say,"Taxpayers in the Frazee-Vergas school district will receive another tax break compliments of sound fiscal management by the school board and administration." And it doesn't matter whether the school is smaller or their programs different, (which I don't have knowledge of), but it is refreshing to read the news from there. I told my husband we should consider moving to MN. And if we weren't so old, I'd seriously consider it. And, I have to say, that subscribing to this weekly paper is so heartwarming in that it is full of pix of nature, and has recipes, and has news of a community that seems almost old-fashioned in the way they still do many things. It is a reminder of how Yorkville was once upon a time.
Before it got so "uppity"!

Ayar your right they all are getting rich off taxpayers. I didn't mention teachers they are certified positions. I am talking about non certified positions. And they both are in different pension plans. Teachers (TRS) Janitors(IMRF) the point isn't lack of funding it's the cost to our district to fund non certified positions. So if 10 years is the number for vesting into the pension then anyone hired in the last 10 years roll into a 401K before they are vested. No one loses jobs just different retirement plan that is cheaper to the taxpayers. Or lets do nothing and implement a 1-2% sales tax, and later raise our school taxes. This article is about coming back to the tax payers for more money without any concesions from they district or cost cutting ideas. this is the trend around the state and country. Hard line choices are either we pay more ,or the public employee gives back. We can't continue the way we are.

Oswegosmarts...the Janitor making $19 /h is "getting rich off the tax payer"? really? - thats less than 40k a year before taxes. The secretary making $15 / hr is "getting rich"? those are nosense staments.

Not all of oswego public agencys are union, you are incorret. the Park district is not, i do not belive the libary is either.

Ralph getting rich is a metaphor. Meaning that we pay for the reitrement which is probably more than what the non public employee gets. And I stand corrected. on Library and Park District. I do remember reading a quote from the park board that we pay them well, so that they don't unionize. Point being again. Do we find ways to cut costs or do we just keep paying more. Simple math. I have offered up suggestions that can save money,other districts have used. I realize that a few employee pocket books may get hurt but are elected offcials here for the people, or for the employee. Here is a sentence from the paper today. (led by losses in the public sector as cash-strapped state and local governments laid off workers) Do I think a janitor is worth $19 an hour or $900 an hour is not the point. The point is the cost factor with, payroll and benifits, and pensions. Janitors and bus drivers are areas other districts have cut. Does this make them any less of a human than an administrator NO. But if you think Administration is going to cut thier jobs or pay, you need to wake up. We have a problem that has to be dealt with. If you don't like the message come up with one that is feasible. The worker always feels the axe. I am not saying it's right, "it is what it is." In everyday life we are always looking for the best deal, wheather when buying a car, groceries, etc. The same should hold true for our taxdollars. Remember the quote above from the paper (think we fall under that) I DO

Pensions used to be a an equalizer of sorts between public sector jobs and private sector jobs. But now, public sector people have wage parity(+) AND pensions greatly subsidized by tax dollars. We, the tax payers just cannot keep paying for people who are no longer working on our behalf. If they want a pension, then they need to set up one on their own, just like the private sector does. Obviously on a go forward basis...

My personal opinion is let';s just drop the big one and go for a restructure of debt for 308.The majority of revenues are going towards previous debt, actually interest payments if you follow Col. Hoffer's posts. So...if we get in on a restructure before other school districts do, then we gain the biggest benefit or least loss...at least in theory, right? I mean really...what can they do? Beat us up? Send us to Afghanistan? We're dealing with "banksters" for our debt obligations folks....maybe it's time we stopped we stopped being tools and started being tool makers.

I like the idea of funding some of the schools through a 1% tax on goods and services. As an example the State of Colorado funds their schools through taxes on restraunts and hotels, but they have many tourists and things to see. I would worry that like any goverment agency, the Oswego school board will not reduce the tax burden of homeowners. The board will just vote pay increases and add useless programs.
Eliminate the DOUBLE dipping of pensions by administrators. Just concentrate on core subjects and competitive sports, like in the 50's and 60's.
Give me an exact plan of action.

Has anyone seen the big rat outside of OHS today. I stopped on my way home from work to see what was going on. Looks as though our public works director gave the sewer job to a non-union company. Turns out that non-union company is part of the good old boys club from Oswego and they came in with the high bid. So we are paying more for non-union then we would be paying for union workers. Wonder why your taxes are so HIGH, maybe we should start looking in other areas. Seems the village has no problem spending more of our hard earned money.

well walt you are wrong h linden and son are union the reason the teamsters are there is because d const was low bidder but the work they did in Oswego a few years back sucks rt34 has big dips by fox bend reabar is sticking through the roadway in the same spot all of the stone facing down town has fallen off hlinden had two truck drivers that where not teamsters d const is using teamsters to do there dirty work I for one will pay a little more to see that it is done right . beside all of lindens crew are residents of Oswego nice to keep money at home

Sounds like Patch could pay a visit and confirm what the real story is. ; )

make sure to get both sides not just the teamsters

I am at a point that I can not read all these comments without going cross eyed. Does anyone remember people running for office noting and finding areas to cut and the community scrutinize them so much why would anyone want to help. Then budgets gets increased! This in Kendall County yes it is. Term limits are needed and the good ole boy system removed. These financial jobs should not be career life long. So any of you want to step up ?????

smarts yes lindens shop is in Yorkville so that means they pay taxes to kendall county .about half of their workers live in Oswego send there kids to Oswego schools pay taxes to Oswego and so on the other half live in Yorkville and also pay to the county so yes they are a local company

smarts d const has done work in Oswego the bridge on rt34 by fox bend has rebar sticking through the concrete it also has big dips going east or west the work that was done down town meaning the face brick along the walk has fallen off . when they go home to cole city they don't care what Oswego looks like .

Coal City

I just saw my spring 2013 tax bill. Tomorrow, I am going to start sprucing things up. it is time to put this house on the market.