THE PROCESS

You spoke. We listened.
Bond for Buildings retains usable space.

How We Got Here

Community-Driven Planning

Byron's referendum proposal didn't happen overnight. The district has followed a deliberate, community-focused process to understand our financial challenges and develop solutions.

The Timeline

November 2024
Ballot Results
Voters reject $800 per pupil referendum.

December 2024 - Present
Budget Committee Formation
A Budget Committee made up of community members, families, and school staff began meeting to study the district's financial situation and explore possible solutions.

April 2025
Steering Committee Launch
A Steering Committee including community members, school board members, and administrative staff began meeting to coordinate referendum communications.

April 2025
School Board Decision
The school board approved plans to hold an operating levy referendum and capital projects (technology) levy in November, but waited to set specific funding amounts pending further community input.

Question 2 can only pass if Question 1 passes.

May - July 2025
Community Engagement
The district gathered extensive community input through:

  • Public opinion surveys

  • Focus groups with residents

  • One-on-one interviews with opinion leaders 

  • Discussions at school events

This feedback helped shape the final referendum questions and funding amounts that will appear on the November ballot.

July 2025
School Board Decision
The school board designated the amount of funding to be sought with the operating levy referendum and capital projects (technology) levy in November.

Why This Approach?

Byron's referendum proposal didn't happen overnight. The district has followed a deliberate, community-focused process to understand our financial challenges and develop solutions.

Through the spring and summer process, it became clear that district needs could be met two ways: through an operating levy that provides revenue for the general fund to attract and retain quality teachers and support classroom and programming excellence, and through a capital projects technology levy that dedicates funds for classroom technology, cybersecurity and school safety.

If question 1 is approved, homeowners could expect to pay $36 a month in additional property taxes on a $350,000 home, the average home value in the district.

If question 2 is approved, the cost would be $3.75 per month on the same home.