Soapbox: Great opportunity for Big Hollow
Big Hollow Elementary District 38 voters supported the district's call to approve the Feb. 5 referendum to inject much-needed cash into its schools. Now, they want to know how that money will be used. Who can blame them? During the campaign, district officials said the referendum was needed to reinstate program cuts, and reduce rising class sizes. There are also issues involving decommissioned buses, old textbooks and curriculum and lunchroom and playground staffing. However, district officials say it might take time for residents to see results. Options are being reviewed and teacher contract talks are under way that could affect available dollars. Yes, but there are some goodwill steps the district can take on this important matter. Public meetings can be held to discuss options and present time tables. There's an opportunity to open new lines of communication. Maybe there is a way to get parents involved. Prior to the Feb. 5 referendum, District 38 saw four straight money-related referendums defeated at the polls. Some opponents have talked of board mistrust. Here's a perfect opportunity to put those questions to rest.
Revitalized revitalization
Libertyville's downtown revitalization group, which seemed to be on the brink of death just three months ago, is now back on solid financial footing. While most residents are familiar with the events MainStreet Libertyville is responsible for -- such as the annual farmers markets and the Dickens of a Holiday celebration -- many didn't realize who was behind them. The village has been the main source of funding for the non-profit since its inception in 1989, but in recent years that contribution has been dramatically scaled back. When last year's annual fundraiser fell short of expectations, organizers asked the public to step up. And residents and businesses did so, contributing more than $88,000 to the nonprofit organization since Nov. 1. Membership has tripled to 1,116, giving the group that had for a time operated without any paid employees some breathing room and a rejuvenated sense of purpose. The key now is to keep the momentum going, so residents can continue to enjoy the many benefits the group brings to the village.
Five bright and shiny apples
How great is it that we've got five Golden Apple Award teaching finalists with connections to the suburbs? This is one of the premier awards in the business -- this year focusing on those who teach grades 4 through 8. This year's finalists include Nancy Kontney, a District 220 teacher at Sunny Hill School in Carpentersville; Sharon Kranz, another District 220 teacher at Roslyn Road School in Barrington; Karina Richter, at Wright Junior High in Lincolnshire; Daniel Morvaji, at Lake Zurich North Middle School in Hawthorn Woods and Rebecca Leff, at Quest Academy in Palatine. Ten winners will be named this spring, but they, and their students, are winners already. Congratulations.
Depressing reality?
More people seem more interested in participating in the electoral process this year. We're wondering, though, if they'll feel the same way should the Democratic presidential nomination be decided by superdelegates. Such convention delegates are party insiders and party leaders, beholden to no voters and free to cast their votes as they please. Power to the people? Nope, power to the party. It's been that way since 1982, but for many political newbies, the realization could be depressing. Or it could make them angry enough to take control of their party of preference. Or not, meaning we could go back to the disinterest of old.