A referendum for a tax increase to help build and renovate Unit 5 schools could be put on the February ballot.

The Unit 5 superintendent made his case for more space to the McLean County Community Compact this morning.

The superintendent says Unit 5 schools are running out of room, especially for elementary school students.

Doctor Gary Neihaus says the referendum is two parts.

"The first part is building. Two elementary schools, a new middle school, an addition to Sugar Creek as well as renovations to our eight elementary schools. That's the building part of it. That's 96 million 700 thousand dollars. Then we're asking for a 10 cent increase on the educational fund rate... to be able to sustain the new building."

For a Unit Five resident with a $300,000 home, the referendum would mean about $285 more a year in property taxes.

"The modular classrooms are usually set aside or close to the buildings. The environment's fine, the classrooms are great... it's certainly not part of the school," said Niehaus. "When you're adding approximately 400 students, amazingly a year, you're almost building two thirds of a building in your students."

Randy Mattoon with the McLean County Community Compact said, "They're planning trying to protect our community trying to assure the educational system is affecting all sectors of the community and stability and growth."

School board members are expected to vote this evening on whether the referendum should be put on the February ballot for voters to consider.