School consolidation addressed by most Warren High candidates

All but one candidate running for the Warren Township High School board in Gurnee recently addressed the concept of consolidating local districts in an effort to save money.

Voters will select from six candidates seeking three, 4-year positions at Warren District 121 in the April 5 election. Incumbents Michael Munda, David Grum and Richard Conley are joined on the ballot by newcomers Barb Conway, Mark Lund and Tony Bennett.

Gov. Pat Quinn recently announced a sweeping plan to merge hundreds of school districts across Illinois, possibly eliminating 600 in two years. Quinn has projected his plan would save $100 million annually because of the elimination of hundreds of superintendents.

At recent Daily Herald editorial board endorsement interviews, five of the six District 121 candidates provided their views on school consolidation in light of Quinn’s announcement. Grum didn’t respond to invitations to the interview sessions or an opportunity to address the issues on the telephone.

Munda, a principal for the Lake County Regional Office of Education’s alternative program, said a key question is whether a school district would be placed in the best position to succeed if combined with others. He said he went through a consolidation as an educator for what became North Chicago Unit District 187.

“It’s going to cost money to make that (consolidation) happen,” Munda said. “Where is that money going to come from?”

Conley, a ComEd safety professional, said he supports investigating the consolidation of Woodland Elementary District 50, Millburn Elementary District 24, Gurnee Elementary District 56 and Warren.

“I’m very much for it because I think it’s going to save quite a bit of money,” Conley said. “But I also believe it’s going to help with the continuity of education.”

Conway said if school mergers are considered, board members must be accountable to Warren students and taxpayers.

“You always have to look at ways to save, but at the end of the day, you have to do what is right for the student,” Conway said.

Lund, who’s in sales, said he supports consolidation because of the administrative layers that would be trimmed. Bennett, a real-estate appraiser, said combining school systems sounds good “on the surface,” but that disputes over territory and tax rates could hinder the process.

District 121 includes Gurnee, Gages Lake, Wildwood, Druce Lake, Millburn, Park City, Wadsworth, Old Mill Creek and Grandwood Park.