This kind of money for turf is obscene

In the Herald's coverage of the May District 211 board meeting, we learned: (1) that a motion to spend $8.7 million on artificial turf for the district's football fields had been approved; (2) that the project cost was $2.2 million higher than the board had been led to believe it would be; and (3) that Superintendent, Roger Thornton, was "embarrassed" by the error and regretted it.

Two things about the news are bothersome to me. First, spending $8.7 million for artificial turf is an obscenity. I gather that the academic departments within the district have all the money they need, so spending the millions on turf is not a problem.

I know all about the "safety" arguments that favor such projects, but in a difficult economy and with taxes rising all around us, it is the height of arrogance to spend taxpayer funds for this purpose. It is also provides more testimony to the over-glorification and misplaced priority that is given to sports and athletes in today's society.

As a former player, I can tell you that cuts, bruises and twisted ankles are part of the game of football. If this is worrisome to parents, they should keep their kids off of the field and they should keep the school district's hands out of their neighbors' pockets.

Second, what is the response to Superintendent Thornton's regret? What now? How will he and/or support staff members be held accountable? Will they be fired? Will they receive a salary decrease? Will they be denied a raise when these decisions are made?

If one of these things doesn't occur, Superintendent Thornton's utterance is just words. A $2.2 million mistake isn't like ordering two dozen more boxes of pencils than are needed. This is a big deal. The District 211 board owes it to the public to show that they think it is a big deal too.

Charles F. Falk

Schaumburg