District 88 voters approved a $118 million bond referendum on Tuesday, Nov. 3, clearing the way for safety, accessibility and facility upgrades at Willowbrook and Addison Trail high schools.
The approval, based on unofficial election results, launches the Update88 project at both schools. The district said the bond carries no net tax rate increase for residents.
District 88 Superintendent Jean Barbanente and Board President Donna Craft Cain announced the result in a joint statement on the district's website.
What the bond will fund
According to the district, the bond pays for safety and security upgrades, infrastructure improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility work, Career and Technical Education (CTE) space renovations, athletic facility improvements and auditorium updates at both schools.
The ballot question also listed roofing, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling system updates, along with energy-efficiency improvements, according to the district's pre-election bond information page.
Why no tax rate increase
The district said the bond will not raise the net tax rate because existing referendum debt will be paid off after levy year 2026. The proposal was also limited to the highest-priority facility needs identified in a comprehensive assessment by the district's architectural firm.
The District 88 Board of Education voted to place the question on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot during its Aug. 10 meeting, as the Villa Park Review reported. That decision followed more than a year of community engagement and stakeholder feedback, according to the district.
What happens next
The district said project discussions will take place at Board of Education Buildings and Grounds Committee meetings, which are open to the public. Committee schedules are posted on the district's website.
A new web page dedicated to Update88 project updates will be added at dupage88.net/Update88, the district said.
