Saturday Soapbox: Chickens in East Dundee, politics on the fairway in Des Plaines, email report cards at Stevenson, a 3 a.m. contract vote in Glen Ellyn schools and more
Exceptionalism at Harper:
Harper College's "Promise" program, guaranteeing free tuition for all high school students if they meet some basic standards, got national attention this week. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan stopped by to praise an innovative effort that "is more the exception than the norm." With "Promise" as a model, maybe the norm will catch up.
Don't count your chickens ...
... just yet, would-be East Dundee chicken-raisers. The village board has delayed a decision on whether to allow up to 10 permits that would let owners of houses to raise up to four hens - no roosters, please - in backyard coops.
... before they've hatched:
The henhouse matter has been debated for weeks, but late-breaking concerns include worries about the noise and smell being offensive to neighbors and how to regulate the size and positioning of the coop on any given property. "I don't think we've thought this through properly," Trustee Rob Gorman said. Could be.
Fore:
Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz probably had no idea what he was getting into when he agreed to play a round of golf with the highest bidder in a Des Plaines Community Foundation fundraiser. Political opponent Alderman Dick Sayad won the bid and plans to bring along two other Bogusz critics. Maybe a friendly round of golf is just what they all need.
RIP, Diesel:
Our condolences to Northern Illinois University and handler Tom Bonnevier on the death of Diesel, the beloved husky mascot who was the face of NIU football for nine years. We're glad he and Tom had one last tailgate last weekend at the NIU home opener; and we'll miss all those doggy high-fives.
Another playoff team:
Along with the Kane County Cougars in the Midwest League baseball playoffs, congrats to the Chicago Red Stars, who made the National Women's Soccer League playoffs. If you loved Team USA's World Cup win, you'll see lots of familiar faces when the Lisle-base Red Stars host FC Kansas City at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Toyota Park.
Sign of the times:
Hey, it used to be easy for a bad report card to get lost in the mail, stolen by mean classmates or eaten by the family dog. That won't happen at Stevenson High School this year, where 3,942 students AND their parents will receive report cards via email. It's also a practice at other schools. So much for the "good old days" of hiding or changing bad grades.
District 41's close vote ...
The Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 school board recently voted 4-3 to extend Superintendent Paul Gordon's contract for three years. That's not a ringing endorsement for Gordon, whose pact was set to expire next year. His opponents are unhappy with his leadership and the direction of the district's academics.
... and its really bad timing:
But what's more troubling than the close vote in District 41 is that it took place around 3 a.m. after a four-hour executive session. There's no reason for any local government body to meet until 3 a.m., and there's no reason for any board to ever take such an important vote at such an hour.
Lombard's festival plans:
Lombard is seeking nonprofit groups to plan and operate a new summer festival after the Taste of Lombard went kaput following the dissolution of the village's Jaycees. Wouldn't it be nice if several groups banded together to develop a new festival idea? Interested groups have until Sept. 28 to submit a proposal.
The art of teaching:
Congratulations to West Chicago Elementary District 33 art teacher Linda Rooney, who invited Russian-born painter Sergey Cherep to share his work and the story of his success with seventh-grade art students at Leman Middle School. Rooney said she hopes Cherep's visit might inspire other teachers to invite their favorite artists into the classroom. We hope so, too.
We're not fans of snow ...
... but we are looking forward to the end of road construction season.