Give credit where due in Dist. 304 meetings

When District 304's school board announced its meetings would be broadcast on Channel 10 and the Internet, they led Geneva to think the idea was theirs.

President Mary Stith stated: "The board appreciates the opportunity to inform the public about the work of the school board and wonderful things our administration and staff are doing... "

Nonsense. If the board really appreciated more exposure, they would have done this long ago. They know the more public involvement, the more the public will question and challenge the board's will - chaining it with a conscience.

Actually, it was FACTS members (For Accountable Controlled Tax Spending), a Geneva grass roots organization, who encouraged and implored the board until they relented.

Information from the board too often rings false or remains hidden.

At the beginning of last summer, a FACTS member requested information about expenses from district credit cards through the Freedom of Information Act. Once made public, these costs forced the board to acknowledge them by publishing them on the school Web site, admitting to tens of thousands of dollars spent annually on food and entertainment.

Moreover, late last summer, another FACTS member begged the board to plan informal get-togethers every two months giving the board, administration and community a chance to share ideas and concerns, since the board forbids give-and-take discussion at their meetings. So far, the board has refused to commit to ongoing forums.

To join over 200 other Geneva taxpayers dedicated to clarify spending and increase accountability, receive FACTS e-mails by going to taxfacts@sbcglobal.net, and visiting its Web site, www.taxfacts.info.

Richard Holinger

Geneva