Post by sushi on Mar 14, 2008 6:28:42 GMT -6
Sun Editorial 3/14/08
Site squabble may help those who oppose school
March 14, 2008
In the years it has taken Indian Prairie School District 204 to get to the point where it has in planning for a third high school, there have been at least some district residents who have argued all along that a third high school is not needed.
They have not been able to convince either the District 204 school board or the voters who, on the second try, approved the issuing of bonds to pay for the third school.
Those who haven't wanted a third school, a minority to be sure, have essentially argued that based on demographic trends, the district has sufficient seats in the classrooms it already has in two high schools and two freshmen centers. The district's administration and board, as well as a majority of voters, haven't agreed and argued that a third high school is necessary to keep up with growth.
THE ISSUE:
The suit over District 204's third high school site pits one group that wants a high school against another that wants a high school.
OUR VIEW:
This can benefit those who don't want a third school by delaying or even derailing construction.
Only one side can be right, but both are very sure it is theirs.
Ironically, the lawsuit filed against the school board by a group of parents who don't like the site the board ultimately approved may serve the purposes of those against the third school if the suit lasts for a long time in the court system.
After a protracted condemnation suit over the Brach-Brodie site, the district decided the $31 million for the land established by the jury was more than it could afford, so it looked at other sites and finally settled on property at Eola and Molitor roads.
The current lawsuit, which the district has pledged to defend, attempts to prevent the construction of the new high school at any site other than Brach-Brodie. Those bringing it believe the district engaged in a bait and switch tactic and made "public and in-court statements" that the school would be built on Brach-Brodie. Moreover, they have expressed concern about possible health hazards at the new site.
However, the district still considers Brach-Brodie beyond what it can pay and that it is unlikely the owner will lower the price.
So basically, the suit demands that the district build on Brach-Brodie and the district maintains it can't afford to. The suit pits people who want a high school, but not at the chosen location, against the governmental body charged with building the high school - both of which want a high school.
Unless a judge tosses this suit out of court pretty quickly, the only winner - at least in the near term - will be the folks who don't want a high school at all.
Site squabble may help those who oppose school
March 14, 2008
In the years it has taken Indian Prairie School District 204 to get to the point where it has in planning for a third high school, there have been at least some district residents who have argued all along that a third high school is not needed.
They have not been able to convince either the District 204 school board or the voters who, on the second try, approved the issuing of bonds to pay for the third school.
Those who haven't wanted a third school, a minority to be sure, have essentially argued that based on demographic trends, the district has sufficient seats in the classrooms it already has in two high schools and two freshmen centers. The district's administration and board, as well as a majority of voters, haven't agreed and argued that a third high school is necessary to keep up with growth.
THE ISSUE:
The suit over District 204's third high school site pits one group that wants a high school against another that wants a high school.
OUR VIEW:
This can benefit those who don't want a third school by delaying or even derailing construction.
Only one side can be right, but both are very sure it is theirs.
Ironically, the lawsuit filed against the school board by a group of parents who don't like the site the board ultimately approved may serve the purposes of those against the third school if the suit lasts for a long time in the court system.
After a protracted condemnation suit over the Brach-Brodie site, the district decided the $31 million for the land established by the jury was more than it could afford, so it looked at other sites and finally settled on property at Eola and Molitor roads.
The current lawsuit, which the district has pledged to defend, attempts to prevent the construction of the new high school at any site other than Brach-Brodie. Those bringing it believe the district engaged in a bait and switch tactic and made "public and in-court statements" that the school would be built on Brach-Brodie. Moreover, they have expressed concern about possible health hazards at the new site.
However, the district still considers Brach-Brodie beyond what it can pay and that it is unlikely the owner will lower the price.
So basically, the suit demands that the district build on Brach-Brodie and the district maintains it can't afford to. The suit pits people who want a high school, but not at the chosen location, against the governmental body charged with building the high school - both of which want a high school.
Unless a judge tosses this suit out of court pretty quickly, the only winner - at least in the near term - will be the folks who don't want a high school at all.
