Support District 38 referendum

The upcoming referendum in Big Hollow School District 38 is an opportunity for the community to make an immediate, positive difference in the education of 1,500 K-8 school kids. Currently, these children sit in the largest class sizes in all of Lake County, rank dead last in dollars spent per pupil for instruction, and some spend an extra 30-45 minutes each day at school in holding areas due to slashed bus schedules. I wonder how adults would feel just waiting around an extra 45 minutes at their workplace each day? How productive would folks be with an overcrowded work environment? Although referendum opposition is typically rationalized by the combination of financial hardship and/or district mismanagement, the fact of the matter is this: It is the children (who have no voice in this process) who suffer most. The inadequate level of educational programming is simply not fair to these kids. This referendum is a reasonable tax increase that is needed to restore art, music, computers, and eliminate overcrowded classrooms. The Big Hollow community has traditionally valued a quality education, and the referendum is an opportunity to demonstrate those core values with a "yes" vote.

Phillip Carter

Round Lake