The League of Women Voters of Wheaton believes the November ballot referendum from Community Unit School District 200 should be passed by the voters. This referendum is to replace the 60-year-old Jefferson Early Childhood Education Center without a tax increase.

The current Jefferson School, built in 1958, was NOT designed for three to five-year olds. Two-thirds of the students at Jefferson have special needs, and the children need facilities that will enhance their education. Investment in early childhood education has proven to be highly beneficial to the future educational success of the students as they transition to their neighborhood schools. 

The League also believes that a key to education excellence is the need for quality and equity throughout the system of physical plant, program and materials. This point is primary to our endorsement of the referendum. 

The League supports quality education that is diverse enough to meet the needs of all students and able to provide a foundation for lifelong learning.  The League has identified some ways to achieve these goals, such as:  appropriate class size, teachers and administrators who meet high professional standards, and the mutual trust and communication between the community and the school district.

The League of Women Voters of Wheaton applauds the School Board of District 200, ranked 8th best district in the state, for developing an alternative method to finance and budget a new Jefferson School without burdening the taxpayers in the district. We hope the voters in the district reward their diligence with a resounding “Yes” vote for Jefferson School.

Voters can learn more about Jefferson School and the ballot referendum at:  https://www.cusd200.org/domain/3071 

The LWV of Wheaton serves the communities of Carol Stream, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.