District 113 Passes Tax Hike

A 2.97 percent increase in the real estate tax levy was unanimously approved by the Township High School District 113 Board of Education Monday during its regularly scheduled meeting in Highland Park.

Though some citizens spoke against the proposed increase bringing the 2013 property tax levy paid next year to $89,406,538 including bond interest to operate Deerfield and Highland Park High Schools, only Board member Annette Lidawer offered an opinion saying an annual bump should not be considered a certainty.

“Our taxpayers are struggling right now too,” Lidawer said. “I recognize the necessity for this levy, but having said that we must not accept an annual Levy as a given. We must be even more responsible fiscal stewards and not assume that we should automatically simply pass a tax levy.”

The increase means the owner of a $500,000 Highland Park or Deerfield home will pay approximately $115 more next year than in 2013, according to Assistant Superintendent for Finance Barry Bolek.

Along with increases from the City and Park District of Highland Park, a decrease from North Shore School District 112 and a freeze from Moraine Township, Highland Park owners of a $500,000 house will be paying an additional $138 next year.

In Deerfield the aggregate bump is $135 based on increase from District 113, the Village and the Deerfield Park District along with a decrease from Deerfield Public Schools District 109. Patch does not have figures from West Deerfield Township.

In other action, the District 113 Board delayed until Jan. 13 a decision to give all freshmen and sophomore students Chromebooks for the 2014-15 school year.

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