CARPENTERSVILLE – The average District 300 property owner can expect an increase in property taxes next year, but district officials said it isn’t because of the pending three-year contract with teachers.

Rather, the $20 million increase to the district’s property tax levy is tied to declining state funding, increasing government mandates and rising student enrollment, district spokeswoman Allison Strupeck said.

“The board members are all residents of the district, and they understand the challenge of taxes rising,” Strupeck said. “The board members cut more than $14 million from the district’s operating budget in recent years because they are committed to making local tax dollars stretch as far as possible while still providing a quality school system.”