Don’t assume worst about Lisle students

Roughly 10 years ago, I can still recall sitting in on a “town hall” style meeting regarding lights at Wilde Field. It was an attempt to garner feedback from the surrounding neighborhood and I found myself in a unique situation; I lived a block from the field and I was also a sophomore on the Lisle Football team. I was thrilled at the idea of playing under the lights.

That feeling of excitement evaporated at a rapid pace during these meetings. While logical arguments were made by both sides, what bothered me most, was that adult after adult got up to the podium and made boisterous claims usually prefaced with, “The kids will do _____.” I heard everything from throwing trash in our yards, urinating in our bushes, underage drinking, partaking in drug related activities, and even bringing gang involvement into our neighborhood. All of this because of four light poles?

I now teach English and coach football and basketball at Lisle High School, and think I’m qualified to speak on the type of students we have. A big reason I enjoy coming to work every day is the quality of students. Do we have some who get into trouble and make poor decisions? Of course. However, on the whole, I think we are very fortunate to have an upstanding, responsible base of students in our community.

Obviously, I would love to see lights on our home field. However, there are obvious obstacles which require discussion. I will leave that to the committee and the board to decide.

If the community members speak out against this endeavor, please make it for reasons other than the students. Please support the youth of this community and don’t assume that four light poles will bring out the worst in this great student body.

David P. Sally

Lisle

Insensitivity to Wil-O-Way residents

I feel the need to express my deep dissatisfaction and disappointment in Naperville Unit District 203 board’s decision to redistrict Wil-O-Way subdivision for the second time in two years while offering very few options for keeping affected families together on their educational journey — despite their stated desires to do just that.

When my wife and I moved from Chicago 15 years ago with a 6-month-old baby in tow, we looked at many suburbs but chose Naperville for many reasons, mainly because of the fantastic reputation of District 203. In those fifteen years, we’ve had two more wonderful children and have moved once — from Wil-O-Way to what the board terms “West Branch” — though my plot of survey clearly states Wil-O-Way — and have put down solid roots in the community.

However, due to the board’s vote this week, I’m now faced with a decision that had seemed almost unfathomable. Should I sell my house and move to a different part of Naperville so that my two teenage sons can share their high school experiences and help their younger sister with hers when she is in high school? Do I move to another city or another state to keep my family together throughout their educational journeys? Do I hire an attorney to investigate the legality of such a redistricting by the board (how can you redistrict a subdivision that doesn’t exist)?

Did they consider how their vote would affect individuals, families and neighborhoods? Where did Superintendent Mitrovich come off telling others that Wil-O-Way residents are happy to be going to Naperville Central High School? He certainly didn’t ask me or anyone that I know.

The Naperville 203 board proved that the world is a cold harsh place filled with unpleasant realities, hidden agendas and heartlessness. Is this the true meaning of a District 203 “education?”

David Klaiber

Naperville

Ground rules broken on COD contract talks

President Breuder’s war of words in his campaign to deannex the College of DuPage from the village of Glen Ellyn has been well documented. Now he has turned his guns against his own employees, using the college’s website to launch a public-relations campaign against the College of DuPage Faculty Association in the ongoing and protracted contract negotiations between the college and the full-time faculty; the last contract expired in July 2011.

The college’s shared values of respect, honesty and integrity appear to be held in scant regard by this president. The statement is in clear violation of the ground rules forbidding any public dissemination of details during the negotiations, and appeared the day after the latest board meeting at which one COD trustee requested that no public comments be issued while negotiations are ongoing.

In contrast, the negotiations team for CODFA has abided strictly by the ground rules, not even informing its own members of specifics until two weeks ago, and only after giving the requisite 48 hours notice of its intent to do so. The president is claiming to be protecting the taxpayers’ interests in these contract negotiations.

However, closer analysis reveals that the fiscal austerity directed toward the faculty stands in stark contrast to the liberal use of taxpayers’ money elsewhere on campus. For example, some $9 million has been budgeted for landscaping in 2012. Also, a “water feature” and a Ravinia-esque outdoor performing space now dot the landscape; a professionally staffed, fine-dining restaurant is supported directly out of the education fund.

I believe the taxpayers would prefer to see their money supporting excellent education of their students in the classroom, rather than ornamental parks and gardens. The hardworking faculty at COD deserve to be treated respectfully in accord with the college’s stated values.

Richard H. Jarman

Professor, Chemistry

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn

Grateful for Humanitarian efforts

Lake Park Elementary School was on the receiving end of some very special donations recently. The hardworking and dedicated volunteers from the Humanitarian Service Project included us in their birthday box donations.

Sixteen boxes were dropped off at our school for students who have birthdays in the first half of March. Each child will receive a 20-pound box with four to eight toys, five to seven new books and party supplies. Each child also received gifts at Christmas and the child’s family will be eligible for a summer Feed the Kids Program where families are supplied with food for June, July, and August. I know this will make a huge impact on our students’ lives.

We want to extend a very special thanks to those involved with the Humanitarian Service Project. We applaud all the wonderful people who participated with the Humanitarian Service Project for all the good they do in the community. We are truly grateful that our school was one of the recipients for these gifts.

Kathleen Husslein

Fifth-grade teacher

Lake Park Elementary School

Addison