Giving residents a platform in Grayslake District 46
Some parents say they are hopeful Grayslake Elementary District 46 board members will endorse the idea of a community forum so there can be open discussion about how money is spent and other issues.
If it proceeds with the idea, District 46 would join a smattering of other school systems that host periodic forums. Neighboring Woodland Elementary District 50 in Gurnee has a long tradition of holding the informal public forums.
District 46 board President Mary Garcia said she likes the idea of a community forum. She said officials often can't elaborate about issues at routine board meetings, because of how the format is structured so the forum would give them a chance to do so.
"My feeling on this is there is nothing to hide," Garcia said. "There just needs to be an understanding about how the decisions are made."
Similar to how other governmental agencies operate, those who speak during public comment time at District 46 board meetings don't receive immediate board feedback. About three minutes is allotted to each speaker, with repetition frowned upon.
Board members plan to discuss the possibility of a forum when they meet at 7:30 p.m. today at Grayslake Middle School.
One of the District 46 parents leading the charge for a community forum so there can be give-and-take with elected officials, Shannon Smigielski, said several issues are fueling the interest.
Smigielski said the possibility for further budget cuts and the recent reduction of 29 jobs to save money are two reasons for the heightened desire for a forum. She said she has questions about why the district laid off employees, but spent thousands of dollars on new classroom technology similar to an electronic chalkboard and laptop computers.
Another parent, Laura Yoder, said she wants assurance financial decisions are being made in the best interest of District 46 children.
"I just think it's really important for the parents and the board to work together, especially in these hard times," Yoder said.
At the Gurnee-based Woodland district, officials see the community forums as a good way to allow parents and others to informally discuss issues with board members.
Veteran board member Bruce Bohren said he and two former colleagues pushed for the forums about 10 years ago or so.
"It varies," Bohren said, referring to attendance at the sessions. "Sometimes we get a pretty good turnout, especially if there is a hot topic in the community."
One particularly hot forum occurred in April 2004, when about 350 spectators jammed Woodland Intermediate School's cafeteria to mostly voice opposition to contracting for bus service from a private company. There were no crowd incidents, but three Gurnee police officers monitored the meeting from the back of the cafeteria.
At District 46, Garcia said she'd like a community forum to be held late this month or in early July. She said officials likely will want some questions submitted in advance so they can perform research and provide the best possible answers.