What is District 108 considering placing a bond referendum on the November 2026 ballot?  
Lake Park High School District 108 is considering placing a $156 million bond referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot to fund critical facility improvements and future-focused upgrades at both the East and West campuses. These improvements would help prepare students for the next generation of learning.  

What is a bond referendum? 
A bond referendum allows school districts to borrow money for capital projects, much like a mortgage for homeowners. If voters approved the proposed bond referendum, the bonds are repaid over time through property taxes. 

What would the funds be used for?  
If approved, the referendum would fund high-priority needs, including: 

• Security improvements  

• Health/life safety upgrades 

• Aging infrastructure repairs and replacements 

• Career pathways learning spaces updates 

• A new fieldhouse at West Campus 

 
Why is the District considering this now? 
The District is taking a proactive approach to facility needs to avoid more costly emergency repairs later. Major building systems are at or near the end of their useful life. Addressing these needs now helps:  

• Reduce future construction-related cost increases 

• Minimize disruptive, expensive emergency repairs 

• Modernize learning environments and support expanded programs aligned with today’s workforce demands 
   

How old are the District’s facilities and when were major districtwide improvements last addressed? 
District 108’s East Campus is 70 years old, and West Campus is over 50 years old. Major districtwide improvements were addressed approximately 24 years ago.  

How were facility needs identified and prioritized? 
In 2025, District 108 completed a Long-Range Master Facility Plan (LRMFP) using independent facility assessments, educational and infrastructure alignment studies, and stakeholder input (teachers, staff, students, and parents). The LRMFP helps the District proactively prioritize how to invest limited capital dollars. It ensures buildings remain operationally sound and aligned with evolving educational needs, while supporting long-term fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget as facility demands grow with aging infrastructure.  

Would most of the work occur during the summer?  
Yes. To minimize disruption to teaching and learning, most of the repairs and renovations would take place during summer breaks. Some projects may extend beyond summer months, but they would be carefully phased to avoid impacting instruction. 

When was the last time District 108 passed a bond referendum? 
Twenty-four years ago, in 2002, voters approved a $45 million bond referendum to modernize learning environments at both high schools. Projects were completed on time and on budget and included technology upgrades, modernized science labs, enhanced art and music spaces, collaborative learning areas, student-centered common areas, and additional instructional spaces.  
 

Did the District pay off its 2002 bonds and reduce the tax rate?  
Yes. The final year taxes were collected to pay these bonds was in 2021, resulting in a reduction in taxes of approximately $205 annually for a home with a fair market value of $300,000. The Board and administration did not ask voters for permission to issue new bonds due to the impact COVID was having on households at that time. (NOTE: A $300,000 home in 2021 would be worth much more today given the appreciation of home values since that time.) 

 
Has District 108 managed past projects responsibly?
Yes. Previous work funded by the District’s most recent bond referendum was completed on time and on budget. The District also maintains a strong credit rating (‘AA+’ from S&P) and actively seeks grants when available. 

Does the District already invest in building maintenance?
Yes. The District has funded $30 million in capital projects over the last 10 years through strategic budgeting. However, the scale of current needs exceeds what can be addressed through annual operating funds. 

Recent capital projects include: 

Facilities & Infrastructure 

•  HVAC system upgrades (both campuses) 

•  Roof replacements and repairs 

•  LED lighting upgrades (both campuses) 

•  Flooring upgrades (both campuses) 
   

Safety, Accessibility & Security 

•  ADA-compliant restroom upgrades (both campuses) 

•  Security and mass communication system enhancements 
   

Academic & Student Spaces 

• East and West Library renovations 

• Art classroom renovations 

• Family and Consumer Science classroom renovations 

• Transition Center renovations 
   

Athletics & Outdoor Facilities 

• Field turf replacements (softball, baseball, both football fields) 

• Outdoor track renovation 

• Tennis court renovation 

• West Campus press box and storage improvements 

• Marquee and scoreboard replacements 

What improvements would be funded? 
The proposed bond referendum would fund: 

• Safety, security and ADA accessibility upgrades: Updated secure entry vestibules, improved hallway circulation flow, redesigned drop‑off/pick‑up routes at both campuses, additional on-site parking at West Campus, ADA-compliant upgrades to locker rooms, bathrooms, and storage areas would strengthen safety, security, and accessibility.  

• Aging infrastructure replacement: HVAC units, roofing, masonry, windows, doors, electrical panels, drainage systems, lighting, and other aging infrastructure would be updated. 

• Expansion and modernization of career pathways spaces: Renovated and expanded labs would strengthen high‑demand career pathways programs such as healthcare, manufacturing, robotics, IT/cybersecurity, culinary, environmental science and agriculture, graphics and multimedia, and early childhood education. 

• New fieldhouse at West Campus: A flexible-use facility to address undersized and outdated spaces for physical education, athletics, marching band practices, color and winter guard rehearsals, and other school and community programming and events. The new fieldhouse would alleviate space limitations and reduce safety concerns. 
   

Why is the District considering updating career pathways spaces?
Current career pathways spaces are too small to meet student interest and workforce needs. The District is considering expanded, modernized spaces to support high-demand career-aligned programs, such as: 

• Manufacturing & Engineering 

• Information Technology & Cybersecurity 

• Health Sciences 

• Agriculture & Environmental Science 

• Culinary Arts & Hospitality 

• Business, Finance, and Marketing 

• Arts, Graphics, and Multimedia 

• Early Childhood Education 

Why are security upgrades necessary? 
Although both high schools have secure entry vestibules, improvements need to be made that guide all visitors into a monitored reception area to minimize the number of visitors with access to students.   

What improvements are needed for student support spaces? 
Spaces used for crisis support are currently shared or lack privacy. Reconfigured spaces would provide private, confidential areas for counseling and student support services.  

Why is a new fieldhouse being considered for West Campus? 
Both campuses lack adequate space to support the curricular and co-curricular programs. For example, at West Campus, cardio room equipment is too tightly spaced, locker rooms are inconveniently located on the second floor, and the gym floor is outdated. At East Campus, the gymnastics space is a fraction of the size of competition space. At both campuses, these tight conditions lead to supervision challenges. A new fieldhouse would resolve these issues and better support physical education, athletics, and the community.

How would parking, pick-up, and drop-off improve?
Current traffic patterns at both campuses create unsafe conditions with students crossing in front of vehicles in parking lots and Bryn Mawr Avenue. The proposal includes: 

• Redesigned drop‑off/pick‑up routes at both campuses 

• Additional parking at West Campus 

• Moving East Campus car access to Acacia Lane to reduce congestion on Medinah Road 

• A new bus loop routed behind East Campus

Example of Inefficient Pickup/Dropoff - East Campus 

 Proposed New Pick-up/Drop-off Routing - East Campus 

Example of Inefficient Pickup/Dropoff - West Campus

Proposed New Pick-up/Drop-off Routing - West Campus 

What are the anticipated impacts of the proposed improvements? 
There are many anticipated impacts, including:  

• Creating healthier, safer, and more secure schools 

• Extending the useful life of existing facilities 

• Reducing costly and disruptive emergency repairs 

• Enhancing ADA accessibility 

• Preparing students for future jobs and careers and enhancing  
  local workforce development 

• Enhanced ability to attract and retain high-quality teachers 

• Stronger community appeal, attracting families to the area 

• Protecting property values 

How would these improvements benefit residents without school-age children?  
Public schools are community assets that benefit all residents. Strong local schools help attract new residents and businesses to the area, protect property values, support the local economy, and provide shared community spaces. Additionally, expanded career pathways offerings also help meet local workforce needs, benefiting local employers and the broader economy. 

How much is the proposed bond referendum? 
District 108 is considering placing a 25-year, $156 million bond referendum on the ballot.  
 
Would delaying these projects increase costs? 
Each year the District waits to address the proposed improvements, the estimated total cost could increase by more than $6 million, assuming 4% annual construction inflation.  

  
What is the estimated tax impact? (Tax Calculator)
The proposed 25-year, $156 million bond referendum would have an estimated tax impact as shown below: 

How does the District’s tax rate compare to neighboring Districts?
The District’s tax rate is among the lowest compared with neighboring peer Districts. 

How many schools are in Lake Park High School District 108, and which communities do they serve? 
Lake Park operates two high schools: East Campus for Freshmen and Sophomores, and West Campus for Juniors and Seniors. The District serves portions of Roselle, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, and Wood Dale, and all of Itasca, Keeneyville, and Medinah.

How many students attend Lake Park? 
Lake Park serves approximately 2,492 students. 

What is the graduation rate? 
Lake Park maintains a 94.6% graduation rate, well above the state average. 

Does Lake Park offer career-aligned learning opportunities? 
Yes. By leveraging 41 strategic business parnerships, the District helps support student career exploration and experiences. Currently, Lake Park offers seven distinct career pathways opportunities and continues to promote growth in career-aligned learning programs.

How does Lake Park support college readiness? 
The District offers students 43 early college credit opportunities between Advanced Placement and dual credit courses. Currently, in 2025-2026, students are on-track to earn 2,338 credits from dual credit enrollment alone. The District continues to prioritize growth in its early college credit programming. 

How can residents learn more or provide input? 
Residents can attend Board meetings or public information meetings, review mailed information, participate in an upcoming community opinion survey, and visit the website www.LPHS.org/Forward for updates. 

When will the Board decide whether to pursue a referendum? 
The District will share information and gather community feedback through spring and summer 2026. In August 2026, based on community feedback, the Board of Education will decide whether to place the referendum on the ballot. 

If pursued, who would be eligible to vote on the referendum? 
All registered voters residing within District 108 boundaries would be eligible to vote on the bond referendum.  

When would the vote take place? 
The bond referendum would appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot, if pursued.

Would there be public oversight if the referendum is approved? 
Yes. The District would provide regular public updates on spending and construction progress to ensure transparency and accountability. 

What if residents have additional questions?  
Residents with questions or feedback are encouraged to email LPForward@lphs.org.