No tax hike for Dist. 15 until they get a plan
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I will be voting NO on November 2nd regarding the $27 million District 15 bond referendum for one main reason. I have been paying close attention to the District 15 board of education and attending meetings for over three years. Unfortunately for District 15 residents, we have a majority block on the board.
All I ask from a board of education is to make wise decisions for our children, our community, and the money with which they have been entrusted. The majority block has not done this. They have shown a serious lack of long-term planning skills. All I ask is for a plan.
There are 20 schools in our district. Yes, these schools need to be maintained. About 3 years ago, I began looking into the various maintenance problems at my kids' school which included a leaky roof. Every time it rained, buckets would be spread out throughout the school like it was a perfectly normal thing to do. After many questions to the principal, district staff, and also FOIAs (it the was the only way they would give me some of the data I was seeking), I presented my information to the BOE.
Long story short, the school did eventually get a new roof. But what I realized during that experience is that there was no long-term plan for maintaining the buildings. None! It was shocking to me. It took YEARS of a leaky roof before it got replaced. Now, all of a sudden, we need 11 new roofs in three years?
Board member Quinn said this is not sound planning. I wholeheartedly agree. These things need to be planned out. Plan first, then ask for the money. Not the other way around.
Vicki Wilson
Palatine
