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Glenbard West lights still on burner

Vote on proposed light installation at West’s Memorial Field delayed again

A vote on a proposed lighting installation at Memorial Field at Glenbard West High School has been delayed again.

The Glenbard High School District 87 board of education was set to consider sending along a variance application to the Glen Ellyn Plan Commission on Monday, but board President Rose Malcolm said action would be held for another meeting.

Still, board members provided some of their first public comments on the proposal, after hearing from community members, student-athletes, coaches and parents at previous meetings.

Board Vice President Tom Voltaggio said no matter which way board members decide to vote, half of the room will be angry.

“It’s a circumstance where this board is facing death by hanging or death by firing squad,” Voltaggio said.

He suggested pursuing other possibilities for expanding playing options for student-athletes that don’t necessarily involve light installation. For instance, a district-owned parking lot could be converted to a practice field, and nearby Duchon Field could be converted to a hybrid turf, he said.

Voltaggio said there are trade-offs to having a school in a residential neighborhood. He questioned at what point would the lights turn from a useful activity for students to a nuisance for the community.

“I’m concerned we’ve put one possibility before us,” Voltaggio said. “I think we need to take a good long look at the range of solutions we have. Anything short of that will leave us with residual bitterness (from the community) that we as a school district cannot have.”

Malcolm said she disagreed that half the room would be angry with the board’s decision because she thought the administration had adequately addressed concerns brought up by residents at meetings.

“I still think it’s a worthy project,” Malcolm said. “I will do my best to keep more students on campus to allow more students to participate.”

Board member Tom Trefilek, who has expressed support for the project, said the board would have to determine the line between deciding what is best for the future of students or the future of the community.

Board member Robert Friend said he was responsible for the former and thought adding the lighting would increase the usage of the facility for students’ benefit.

Board member Steve Sebby said he thinks the issue needs to be examined for a longer period of time.

“We have to look out for the best interests of students, but we have to have a collaborative effort that will be mutually agreed upon by the community and district,” Sebby said.