Thank you for Dist. 38 support
On behalf of the referendum committee for Big Hollow schools, we would like to thank the literally hundreds of community members who contributed to the cause.
Whether you knocked on doors, made telephone calls, distributed information, wrote a check or tied a blue ribbon, your effort made a difference in raising awareness of Big Hollow's challenges.
We would also like to thank the entire community for rallying to pass this initiative to secure critically necessary operating funds for the school district. You have made a powerful statement that our children deserve a quality education and that our community is worth investing in.
At this time, I'd like to address a couple concerns, one specific and one broader in nature, that have been raised in the aftermath of our referendum's passage.
First of all, let me dispel the notion that taxpayer or school funds financed any part of our campaign. The entire referendum effort, 100 percent, was funded by corporate and private donations to the Citizens Referendum Committee for Big Hollow Schools.
The professionalism of the printed materials and Web site reflects the graphic arts, business, marketing, technology and communications skills of those who donated their expertise to the effort. In fact, it is the talents, efforts and support of many volunteers who brought the tremendous value to all the published materials.
As to the broader concern of higher taxes: As a referendum committee, we realize that many "no" votes reflect a legitimate anxiety over the already high taxes we pay in Lake County.
This is a concern we must take up with the state of Illinois. It is the state government that has established the unfair funding mechanism for schools and placed the disproportionate responsibility squarely upon local property owners.
Big Hollow supporters are ardent advocates for reforming the system and have lobbied Springfield for property tax relief and higher state-level funding. We also recognize that change of this magnitude can be slow, and Big Hollow's need is now.
It is our intention to continue pressuring Springfield for change in this area and we encourage all who are unhappy with the school-funding formula to bombard your state representative, state senator and Gov. Blagojevich with letters and phone calls to that effect.
We feel it is also incumbent upon us as a community to ensure the operational funds gained by the school district are utilized responsibly and effectively. The community's forum to have a voice in shaping Big Hollow's future, and our community's future, is through school board meetings.
Upcoming meeting dates and times are posted on the district's Web site, www.bighollow.us, and on the referendum committee's Web site, www.supportbighollow.org.
Cathy Ralston
Round Lake
Referendum Committee for Big Hollow schools