Wheaton taxpayers have a right to know

As a longtime tax-paying resident in Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200, I find it outrageous that the school board refuses to provide any details on the recent dismissal of Superintendent Richard Drury.

This type of matter could simply be considered a "personnel" issue if this was the CEO of a privately-held company. However, the last time I looked, almost 70 percent of my property tax money goes to District 200 (as well as the Dist. 200 pension fund). So, as a "shareholder" of Dist. 200, I -- along with every other taxpayer in Dist. 200 -- have a clear right to know why we are collectively on the hook for Mr. Drury's $208,000 base salary, plus a $60,000 post-resignation severance payment.

According to board President Andy Johnson, "We just had differences in going forward on goals and leadership for the district, and we'll leave it at that." If there were really major issues with Mr. Drury, why did the board extend his contract for one more year in July? It seems that the board members are taking a cue from Congress, where they feel empowered to spend our money without any accountability.

As board member Barbara Intihar stated, "If some people choose to believe that we are doing something inherently wrong, they are entitled to vote that way at the next election." This challenge by Ms. Intihar (and the rest of the board) to vote them out of office if we don't agree with their veil of secrecy and how they are spending our tax dollars, will likely incite many voters like me to take her advice and vote for a "clean slate" during the next District 200 board elections.

Joel Barnes

Wheaton