Need is serious in District 56

I have lived in Lake County my whole life and Gurnee Schools District 56 for just over 30 years. I raised my family, sent two daughters to Gurnee Schools, and eventually worked in three of the four buildings. I volunteered in PTO, DoReMi Band Boosters, Drama, and any other group I could lend a hand to over the years. I am a committed community member and vested taxpayer, as are many friends and family.

I have been a voter in each and every election, since I have been 18 years old. This is a very long time and I have never felt stronger about a referendum needing to be passed then I have for the present District 56 schools one coming up on Nov. 2.

The issue at hand is replacing a building that has just simply worn out. Since the major flood of 1986 when the lower level had six feet of water and the classrooms were moved to Lakehurst and the reopening of the school in 2003, the administration has been dealing with maintaining or repairing this too pitiful, antiquated building. They have tried to make it safe, but it is a losing battle.

Parents, teachers, students, countless staff and community members have sandbagged multiple times, keeping out the floodwaters, but not the seepage or the water coming through the leaky roof.

We now have a chance to save Gurnee Grade School, not the old building, but the heart of the school filled with the teachers, students, and the parents who support us. Keeping GGS in the heart of Gurnee will facilitate getting our middle school students to classes, athletics, and drama at our Viking building where they participate in district programs. This will save in transportation costs to bus them back and forth during the school day. The retrofit at O'Plaine School will allow a good flow of services for the K-8 enrollment.

We have a golden opportunity to do the right thing. The time is better for building than at any time in many years. A new building without raising our taxes is a miracle in my book. I would have voted “yes” either way, but at least now I can actually save a few bucks. Yes, bonds are maturing and maybe we would save more without a new school, but I guarantee we will be paying a lot more when GGS succumbs to the inevitable tides.

Odie Pahl

Gurnee