DOWNERS GROVE – Voters in Community High School District 99 overwhelmingly approved a referendum measure March 20 seeking $136.6 million to fund significant improvements at both Downers Grove North and South high schools.

About 62 percent of voters, or 13,599, approved the referendum question, while 8,320 voters, or about 38 percent, opposed the measure, according to unofficial results from the DuPage County Election Commission.

The 20-year bond issue will allow the district to address high-priority capital improvements at an estimated tax impact of $65 per year for a $300,000 home, district officials said previously.

The proposed improvements will extend the life of existing facilities, address safety and security issues, improve accessibility for people with disabilities and provide air conditioning in classrooms that are not air conditioned, they said.

Additionally, instructional spaces will be created to leverage new instructional technology and evolving teaching methods. Other potential improvements include creation of a learning commons in each building, which would house resources such as college and career counseling, social workers, psychologists, counselors, activities, technology support, deans, a cafeteria, library and bookstore. The spaces would be available for community use during off hours, according to a district outline of the improvement plan.

Enhancements to athletic fields, including bleacher replacements and the addition of locker rooms and training rooms, also are included in the plan.

The district will begin some of the improvements immediately.

For example, air conditioning will be installed by Aug. 17, the first day of the 2018-19 school year, officials said.

The district also will begin designing plans for secured entrances, improving accessibility and modernizing aging classrooms and science labs, as well as creating a new gymnasium at Downers Grove North and a new auditorium at Downers Grove South.

The community will have significant input on the plans, Superintendent Hank Thiele said.

"They are also going to serve as community spaces," he said.

The debate over the merits of the referendum measure became contentious at times, especially on social media. Proponents of the plan argued the improvements were necessary in order for District 99 to continue to provide students with a quality education in a learning environment suitable for the 21st century.

Opponents, meanwhile, maintained many of the upgrades were unnecessary and opposed the increase in property taxes associated with the proposal.

An alternative proposal that called for spending $81.6 million on capital improvements and would not lead to a property tax increase likely would have been put before voters in November if the initial referendum were defeated. That plan would have allowed the district to meet a majority of its most critical needs.

The district surveyed residents by phone and mail several months ago, and the proposal garnered double-digit support across all gender and age groups, district officials had said.

Thiele said the results of the phone survey mirrored the election results, with about 60 percent of voters supporting the referendum.

"It was nice to see that the plan we put forward was supported by the community," he said.

Thiele added voters recognized the importance of the proposed changes.

"They recognized the needs," he said. "These are essential changes. We're looking forward to what comes next."