HUDSON - Some residents of Hudson who have supported Normal-based Unit 5 school district's growth and referendums in the past say they are glad there is something in it for them this time.

Some also wanted to know why they should vote to raise their Unit 5 taxes and pay for school construction when they also are being asked to OK taxes for ambulance service.

Donna Rowlins of Hudson said it may sound a little selfish, but she was pleased Hudson Elementary School would see improvements if the $96.7 million construction referendum passes.

"I want to personally thank you for everything you will do in Hudson," Rowlins told school officials at a forum Tuesday at Hudson Methodist Church. She was one of about a dozen residents who attended the meeting sponsored by the Citizens for Unit 5 referendum committee.

Superintendent Gary Niehaus said renovations there would include new windows, doors, non-allergenic carpets and Smart board technology. Work could begin this summer if the referendums pass.

Niehaus said he has also been in talks with the mayor of Hudson and others about improving the traffic flow around the school, which may eventually result in new parking and resurfaced areas.

Rowlins has grandchildren attending Hudson and is a teacher at Fairview Elementary School, Normal.

Along with renovations to existing buildings, the bond referendum on Tuesday's ballot includes building two elementary schools and a middle school, adding onto Sugar Creek Elementary School and upgrading security and technology across the district.

Voters also will be asked to OK a property tax rate increase of 10 cents per $100 equalized assessed valuation.

If both referendums pass, a family owning a $200,000 home will pay $170 more on the Unit 5 portion of their tax bill, which is about $2,742 today. The increase would be $114 a year for the bonds and $56 in property taxes for operating expenses.

Connie O'Grady doesn't have any children in the district anymore, but said she is concerned about how having school and ambulance questions on the same ballot will play out.

"We have an ambulance referendum on ours (Tuesday's ballot) and I'm afraid people who don't have kids in school might not vote (yes)," O' Grady said.

Tim DeFrees of Hudson, a father of two, said he will be voting yes for Unit 5. A couple of weeks ago, he thought differently based on his taxes going up.

"I thought it over and thought about my kids' futures," he said.

How people vote may depend on their age, she said. Some older voters are more concerned about ambulance service, she said.

"I wish they (school and ambulance referendums) hadn't been on the same ballot," said O'Grady.