Dist. 211 to blame for financial position

The article on the front page of the Daily Herald Aug. 21 reported the millions of dollars shortfall in the new district 211 budget. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that current and past wasteful practices and decisions are the cause of much of the problem.

One example is the millions of dollars spent on tearing up the grass on five football fields and installing artificial turf; a multimillion dollar project that could have been put on indefinite hold and the money spent much more wisely.

Another example is the continuing practice of moving some soon-to-retire administrators from the five high schools into temporary assistant superintendent jobs with the district. It is obvious this is done to boost the salaries just long enough to become eligible for higher pensions - an additional cost we must bear ad infinitum.

My suggestion is that the members of the District 211 school board once again get their heads into the sunshine of reality, fairness and fiscal responsibility. From where I sit, all I can see is the tail wagging the dog and the clueless dog watching it.

Len Brauer

Palatine