Too bad Pinney was defeated in D214

I was very sad to learn this morning that Leslie Pinney did not win re-election to the District 214 school board. Leslie was an independent voice on that board.

Unfortunately for both the students and the taxpayers in D214, the other incumbents up for re-election joined forces against Pinney. They ran as a slate called "Friends of D214," and endorsed a newcomer to run with them in order to get Pinney off that board. One wonders why they worked so hard to get rid of Pinney.

Leslie Pinney worked hard as a school board member. She questioned the status quo and the cozy relationships between the district and its contractors. Her inquiries actually led to tax dollars being spent more efficiently.

Unfortunately, voters in the district didn't do their homework. They believed the sensationalistic "book banner" label that her detractors pinned on her.

And with a new teachers' contract being negotiated next year, they allowed the tax-eaters to get rid of her independent voice and stack the board with compliant members.

Lidia Downs

East Dundee