"Do we want to lead or follow"

A referendum vote in April will offer Milford school district residents the opportunity to direct the future of their education.

A $17.5 million school bond issue over the next 25 years is at stake.

Board president Mary Ronna told an audience of 250+ "we either be a leader in our children's education or we're followers." The district's 103 year-old building needs work, a lot of work, to meet life safety code requirements. Ronna said it's a matter of complying with the State Board of Education and spend millions to meet code or building new.

Superintendent Dale Hastings says "the time is now"

A boatload of problems areas have to be corrected to stay in the current building. A No vote in April could lead to the state someday controlling the district.

Schools in Illinois have struggled to get state funding. Some districts lack of funding dates back to 2003.

Wednesday's audience members, many of them, support the school board's vision for a new school but also have reservations about the planning and cost.

94.1 WGFA