Overview

On August 5, 2024, the IPSD 204 Board of Education officially adopted the referendum resolution, placing a $420 million bond referendum on the November 5, 2024 ballot.  The “Safer, Stronger 204” referendum was proposed to address the highest priority items identified in IPSD 204’s Master Facility Plan, which the Board adopted in December, 2023.  The referendum resolution was a “no tax rate increase” option and could only be used for facility needs.  IPSD 204 was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming community support, with over 73% of voters approving the $420 million bond referendum.  Construction and renovation work began in the spring of 2025, and the district continues to update the community on the progress of the work at ipsd.org/saferstronger204. 

To date, IPSD 204 has issued $165.2 million of the $420 million in bonds approved by the referendum. IPSD 204 plans to issue the remaining referendum bonds in 2027 and 2029 to finance the projects outlined in the master facility plan.  The bond payments will be made with a tax rate at or below 37 cents, consistent with the commitment made during the referendum. 

In addition to the referendum bonds, the district has identified $46 million of other revenue sources that will be used to fund the Safer, Stronger 204 capital program.