Grayslake Dist. 46 joins suburban lobbying group

Grayslake Elementary District 46 will become a member of a lobbying organization representing suburban schools.

District 46 will pay $1,600 in public money this year to belong to Education Research Development. Commonly known as ED-RED, the lobbying group is based at Maine South High School in Park Ridge.

Some school districts have allotted much more in public money to ED-RED dues than what District 46 will pay for the 2010-11 academic year. Last year, Maine Township High School District 207 approved $8,575 for ED-RED.

District 46 board member Susan Facklam said the $1,600 fee set for this year isn't much to pay for what the district should get from the organization's work with state legislators. She said ED-RED's dues can be re-evaluated after the school year.

Superintendent Ellen Correll spoke in favor of the ED-RED lobbying at a meeting this week.

"It does give us a voice in the state," she said.

ED-RED's roster includes at least 13 high school districts and 75 elementary districts from Lake, Cook and DuPage counties. The lobbying group began with seven North suburban high school districts in 1971.

Various events are staged by ED-RED for members. For example, a $25-per-ticket luncheon is set for Oct. 1 at Rosewood Restaurant in Rosemont, featuring state schools Superintendent Christopher Koch.