Post by d204mom on Apr 10, 2008 19:55:58 GMT -6
Group opposed to Eola site praises move
April 10, 2008
By Tim Waldorf twaldorf@scn1.com
Neighborhood Schools for Our Children, which has filed a lawsuit demanding that the district build Metea on the Brach-Brodie property, has claimed the Eola site was an unsuitable location for Metea Valley High School.
NSFOC members reacted to Thursday's news by reinforcing those beliefs.
In a written statement NSFOC leader Jasmine Grassi released upon hearing the news, she said, "NSFOC has always believed that this site was not a safe place to build a school."
Grassi went on to say, "With this site no longer an option, we feel this is an excellent opportunity for the IPSD204 school board to return to what the voters voted for in the 2006 referendum after a long and very effective marketing campaign conducted by the school board."
That vote, NSFOC says, was for a third high school on the Brach-Brodie land, located at 75th Street and Route 59, what she called the original boundaries that were "sold to the voters."
Shawn Collins, NSFOC's attorney, said he was shocked by the day's news.
"Just less than three days ago, the district was extolling the virtues of this property," he said. "They were confident that the Illinois EPA was going to approve it. They were talking about building the high school right next door while remediation was going on. They seemed very, very committed to a plan. So that less than three days later that property is no longer in the picture is nothing short of stunning."
Midwest Generation cited the NSFOC and what it called misinformation that was spread as the reason for its decision - not outstanding environmental issues. Still, Collins praised Midwest Generation for having made a "responsible decision," and he said he "had no quarrel" with the company, only with District 204.
But he said there's no quarreling over what has been disclosed about the property because the reports generated by Midwest Generation and District 204 contain the truth.
"What needs to happen from here now is the district needs to step back and needs to consider foremost the faith of its residents," Collins said. "That faith needs to be restored if at all possible."
Collins said he believes the district has only two realistic options for restoring that faith as it moves forward.
"I hope what is going to happen now is it reignites the negotiation with the Brach-Brodie people, or that it goes back to the voters with a new referendum," he said. "That's what I hope is happening, but the next move is up to the school district, and I hope it is a responsible one."
April 10, 2008
By Tim Waldorf twaldorf@scn1.com
Neighborhood Schools for Our Children, which has filed a lawsuit demanding that the district build Metea on the Brach-Brodie property, has claimed the Eola site was an unsuitable location for Metea Valley High School.
NSFOC members reacted to Thursday's news by reinforcing those beliefs.
In a written statement NSFOC leader Jasmine Grassi released upon hearing the news, she said, "NSFOC has always believed that this site was not a safe place to build a school."
Grassi went on to say, "With this site no longer an option, we feel this is an excellent opportunity for the IPSD204 school board to return to what the voters voted for in the 2006 referendum after a long and very effective marketing campaign conducted by the school board."
That vote, NSFOC says, was for a third high school on the Brach-Brodie land, located at 75th Street and Route 59, what she called the original boundaries that were "sold to the voters."
Shawn Collins, NSFOC's attorney, said he was shocked by the day's news.
"Just less than three days ago, the district was extolling the virtues of this property," he said. "They were confident that the Illinois EPA was going to approve it. They were talking about building the high school right next door while remediation was going on. They seemed very, very committed to a plan. So that less than three days later that property is no longer in the picture is nothing short of stunning."
Midwest Generation cited the NSFOC and what it called misinformation that was spread as the reason for its decision - not outstanding environmental issues. Still, Collins praised Midwest Generation for having made a "responsible decision," and he said he "had no quarrel" with the company, only with District 204.
But he said there's no quarreling over what has been disclosed about the property because the reports generated by Midwest Generation and District 204 contain the truth.
"What needs to happen from here now is the district needs to step back and needs to consider foremost the faith of its residents," Collins said. "That faith needs to be restored if at all possible."
Collins said he believes the district has only two realistic options for restoring that faith as it moves forward.
"I hope what is going to happen now is it reignites the negotiation with the Brach-Brodie people, or that it goes back to the voters with a new referendum," he said. "That's what I hope is happening, but the next move is up to the school district, and I hope it is a responsible one."