Oswego District 308 Seeks Volunteers for $317M Bond Committee
Voters approved the measure Tuesday; 79% of funds go to infrastructure upgrades and safety features across 22 schools.
By Neha Kapoor ·
Oswego School District 308 will form a community subcommittee to determine the order of projects for its newly approved $317 million bond plan. The district serves all of Oswego and portions of Montgomery, Aurora, Plainfield, Joliet, and Yorkville. It is the seventh largest school district in Illinois.
Voters approved the referendum by a wide margin in Tuesday's election. The measure allocates 79% of the total funds to critical infrastructure upgrades. These projects include replacing HVAC systems and roofs. The district also proposes improvements to flooring, plumbing, electrical systems, and building exteriors.
Superintendent Andalib Khelghati stated the district will distribute a community interest form in the coming weeks. Residents interested in serving on the facilities subcommittee can submit the form via the district website, social media channels, or upcoming newsletters. Khelghati invited parents, longtime residents, local business owners, and professionals with experience in construction, finance, or facilities management to apply.
The bond package includes $38 million for safety and security enhancements. Planned upgrades feature secure entrances where doors remain locked and visitor interactions occur away from student areas. The district will install modern access controls that sound an alert if a door is left open or unlocked. Doors will also lock and unlock on a set time schedule.
Additional safety measures include updated camera systems and digital intercoms. These intercoms will reach every classroom and outdoor space to facilitate weather alerts and emergency communications. Khelghati noted that the bonds will allow the district to update aging infrastructure and strengthen security measures for decades to come.
District officials completed a facility assessment of its 22 schools. Approximately 70% of these buildings were constructed between 2001 and 2008. Officials indicated these structures are now reaching the age where major systems require replacement. The district is simultaneously retiring existing long-term debt.
Because of the debt retirement, homeowners will see a decrease in the debt service portion of their property taxes. For a home with a fair market value of $300,000, residents will pay approximately $100 less per year starting in 2028. An additional $56 annual decrease will begin in 2036.
