Prairie State Wire

Ted Dabrowski announced in a public statement that he visited Palatine to call for greater accountability from officials over low academic performance in Community Consolidated School District 15 and rising local property taxes.

Illinois' K–12 recovery has lagged behind other states, with many districts still not reaching pre-2019 performance levels. According to recent research, Palatine CCSD 15 has experienced notable declines in math and reading since 2019 compared to statewide and similar district trends. This situation has intensified local debates regarding accountability, curriculum, and spending effectiveness. Advocates argue that families deserve transparent results and consequences for chronic underperformance, while taxpayers seek clearer connections between rising levies and educational outcomes.

Using Illinois Report Card data, Wirepoints’ district brief reported that just 33% of CCSD 15 students read at grade level and 35% met grade-level math standards in the 2022 cycle. These figures underscore concerns about basic proficiency despite high staffing ratings and significant per-pupil spending. They frame the focus on accountability and provide a baseline for tracking improvements promised to parents and taxpayers in Palatine and surrounding suburbs.

Property tax burdens remain elevated locally. A compiled public-records snapshot shows Palatine’s median annual property tax bill around $7,326, with typical homeowner bills ranging between roughly $3,400 and $11,200. Many streets see individual bills well above $7,000. For residents funding schools through levies, these amounts heighten demands for measurable gains in proficiency tied to spending decisions and board oversight.

Dabrowski is an Illinois conservative policy analyst and candidate for governor in the 2026 GOP primary. He previously led Wirepoints, a research group focused on Illinois fiscal, tax, and education policy, following his tenure at the Illinois Policy Institute after a career in international banking. His campaign platform emphasizes taxpayer protection, school accountability, and governance reforms aimed at reversing outmigration and restoring growth.