Superintendent 'shocked by the no' after voters offer little support for Pennoyer referendum question

Voters appeared to reject Pennoyer School District 79’s request for a $25 million building bond referendum on Tuesday night.

With all six precincts reporting in the primary election, 33.88 percent of voters were in favor of the request, and 66.12 percent had voted against it, according to unofficial results posted on the Cook County clerk’s website.

The district was seeking to build a new academic wing at Pennoyer, with the $25 million spread over 20 years. The school, at 5200 N. Cumberland Ave., serves children from Norridge, Harwood Heights and unincorporated areas of Norwood Park Township.

At community forums during the past few months, Superintendent Kristin Kopta had said the district would have to consider cuts if voters did not support the referendum question.

Kopta said the results were unexpected after acquiring a momentum of community support.

“We were a little shocked by the no,” she said. “Unfortunately, the board is going to be forced to act upon some pretty major cuts for the district, because of their commitment is to student safety, and a lot of our problems within the life safety realm.”

Some immediate building issues identified by the school included a failing heating and air conditioning system, 50-year-old bathrooms, water fountains and plumbing units, abatement of asbestos in student spaces and American with Disabilities Act issues.

On April 4, she said Pennoyer’s facilities committee plans to reconvene and discuss the options. The meeting will be open to the public.

“They’re going to be looking at what needs to be done, what we can afford to do, and what our next steps are,” Kopta said. “The board is going to make decisions that are driven by the community. It’s a recommendation for the board, but it’s not a board-driven decision. On our facilities committee we have parents, community members, and teachers — so the board is taking guidance from our constituents.”

In March, officials discussed several actions to be taken if the referendum did not pass, including raising bus fees from $300 to $1,000.

“Right now, we’re supplementing bus fees to accommodate students who live across Cumberland Avenue to slow some traffic, but the board isn’t going to be able to supplement anymore,” she said.

In addition, student registration fees are to be raised to $200. The music program is to be cut, with students attending music class once a week as opposed to twice a week.

“We’re also looking at cutting sports completely, but that’s been tabled until the April meeting,” she said. “That’s the only pending thing.”

With these cuts, Kopta said the school would be saving about $175,000. She said it’s not clear whether there would be another attempt at a referendum question.

Gianna Annunzio is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

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