Quick Reference

• Board vote: Wednesday, August 5 at 5:30 PM
• Bond amount: $775 million
• What the vote decides: Whether to place the bond on the November 2026 general election ballot
• Average D11 school age: 58 years
• Identified repair backlog: More than $422 million
• Estimated homeowner cost (if passed): ~$6.50/month per $100,000 of assessed home value
• D11 first day of school: August 12, 2026
• More info: d11.org/bond

Tomorrow evening, the District 11 Board of Education will vote on whether to place a $775 million bond measure on the November 2026 general election ballot. The board meeting is Wednesday, August 5 at 5:30 PM.

This is not the vote that approves the bond. If the board votes yes tomorrow, the bond measure goes to D11 voters in November. Voters then decide whether to approve it. The board's role is to determine whether the question reaches the ballot. Wednesday is that decision.

Why $775 Million, and What Would It Fund

The $775 million figure reflects the scale of the facility challenges facing D11. The average D11 school building is 58 years old. The district has identified more than $422 million in needed repairs — aging HVAC systems, roofs, electrical infrastructure, and safety improvements. D11's annual capital repair budget is approximately $17 million. At that rate, the identified backlog grows faster than it can be addressed.

What Would It Cost Homeowners

The estimated taxpayer impact, if voters approve the bond in November, is approximately $6.50 per month per $100,000 of assessed home value. For a home assessed at $300,000, that would be approximately $19.50 per month. For a home at $400,000, approximately $26 per month. These are estimates based on current bond rate projections and could vary based on assessed values and interest rates at the time of issuance.

This would be the first major D11 bond measure in more than 20 years. The district has approximately $4.9 billion in total facility assets that are subject to deterioration without ongoing investment.

The Connection to the School Year Ahead

D11's first day of school is August 12 — one week from tomorrow. The board votes on the bond the day before the final countdown week begins. Whatever the outcome Wednesday evening, D11 families will start the school year on August 12 in buildings that reflect the current state of the district's infrastructure. The bond, if it ultimately passes, would begin to change that over the coming years.

COS Parenting will have coverage of the board vote result Wednesday evening. For the full bond FAQ, visit d11.org/bond.

What's Next

The board meeting is Wednesday, August 5 at 5:30 PM. If the board approves placing the bond on the ballot, it goes to D11 voters in the November 2026 general election. D11's first day of school is August 12. The full school year calendar and board meeting details are available at d11.org.