Don’t tax me for charter school

Immediately below is the last paragraph of a recent letter to the editor by Kari White, Secretary, Elgin Charter School Initiative.

“We are now reaching out to U-46 and the community. Over the next year, we will continue our outreach efforts as we explore a math and science elementary school concept and earn the support of the community and U-46.”

Below is my response to them.

Part of this charter school group includes Mayor Shock’s wife, Karen, and Councilman Steffen’s wife, Kerry Kelly. Back in 2004 when then-Mayor Schock informally proposed hiring the Futterman Law Firm at a cost of $44,000 for possible litigation against his and our own school district, Kerry Kelly was quoted in the Daily Herald as saying: “It’s great if the city is on board, but we’re still here if they’re not on board.”

So not only did she support the parents’ efforts which we now can see have led to $9 million of taxpayer funds going to lawyer pockets for this still ongoing class action law suit but she now wants taxpayer dollars for a charter school.

Recently at a city council meeting, U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres said we have charter schools in Elgin and they are called private schools.

We have had to spend enough taxpayer dollars defending this ridiculous class action lawsuit.

Elgin Charter School Initiative, please use your own dollars for a charter or private school and keep your hands out of our taxpayer pockets.

Clarence Hayward

Elgin