Post by southsidemom on Sept 28, 2007 12:47:31 GMT -6
Verdict poses problem for Indian Prairie board
9/28/2007
By James Kimberly
Chicago Tribune
Indian Prairie School District 204 officials will meet next week now that a jury has decided they must pay more than $30 million for land for a third high school.
School Board President Mark Metzger said Thursday that the board will meet with administrators in closed session to discuss their options such as whether it is prudent to appeal the jury's verdict. Metzger said problems posed by the size of the award in the condemnation lawsuit might keep the district from opening a new high school in fall 2009 as planned.
"I think it is safe to say that is in jeopardy," Metzger said.
A DuPage County jury late Wednesday decided that the school district should pay $28,503,750 for 55 acres on the southwest corner of 75th Street and Illinois Highway 59 that it took under the power of eminent domain. The jury also found that the school district ought to pay the Brach-Brodie trusts, which own the property, an additional $2.5 million compensation for loss of value that the remaining 70.9 acres will suffer.
During a weeklong trial before Judge Robert Kilander, the school district presented appraisals and other evidence that showed the land was worth $13.75 million. Attorneys representing the Brach-Brodie trusts argued the land was worth more than $33 million.
The school board will discuss its options at 7 p.m. Monday at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora.
"Obviously, this is a big blow to us," said school board member Alka Tyle. "The price that the jury has awarded is a lot more than we had expected."
Tyle said the school board must consider all options.
"It is our responsibility to not use more money than we have and to not dip into other funds," she said.
Voters approved a referendum measure in March 2006 authorizing the district to borrow $124.7 million for a new high school. Students in the district, which serves parts of Aurora and Naperville, attend Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley High Schools.
Board member Christine Vickers said the district ought to take a step back and evaluate whether a third high school is still necessary. Vickers said the board ought to compare actual enrollment to the projections made in 2005.
"I think it is only prudent that we visit this situation as a whole again," Vickers said.
District administrators spent much of Thursday meeting about the land acquisition, Vickers said.
In a statement, Supt. Stephen Daeschner said the administrators were "gathering information so we can discuss options with our board."
"We remain committed to being good stewards of the funds we've been given, so our options must not only be driven by what's best for kids, but they must be fiscally responsible," Daeschner said.
----------
jkimberly@tribune.com
+++++++++++++
Some may have their hearts set on BB, but what is the likelihood that if MV is built on $500/acre land that a 2009 referendum is going to sit favorably with residents?
?
'I think it is safe to say' that looks wasteful and it will be hard to swallow for a lot of folks. So we have this building and it sits empty like U-46's schools, then what?
How big is your piggy bank, Gumby?
9/28/2007
By James Kimberly
Chicago Tribune
Indian Prairie School District 204 officials will meet next week now that a jury has decided they must pay more than $30 million for land for a third high school.
School Board President Mark Metzger said Thursday that the board will meet with administrators in closed session to discuss their options such as whether it is prudent to appeal the jury's verdict. Metzger said problems posed by the size of the award in the condemnation lawsuit might keep the district from opening a new high school in fall 2009 as planned.
"I think it is safe to say that is in jeopardy," Metzger said.
A DuPage County jury late Wednesday decided that the school district should pay $28,503,750 for 55 acres on the southwest corner of 75th Street and Illinois Highway 59 that it took under the power of eminent domain. The jury also found that the school district ought to pay the Brach-Brodie trusts, which own the property, an additional $2.5 million compensation for loss of value that the remaining 70.9 acres will suffer.
During a weeklong trial before Judge Robert Kilander, the school district presented appraisals and other evidence that showed the land was worth $13.75 million. Attorneys representing the Brach-Brodie trusts argued the land was worth more than $33 million.
The school board will discuss its options at 7 p.m. Monday at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora.
"Obviously, this is a big blow to us," said school board member Alka Tyle. "The price that the jury has awarded is a lot more than we had expected."
Tyle said the school board must consider all options.
"It is our responsibility to not use more money than we have and to not dip into other funds," she said.
Voters approved a referendum measure in March 2006 authorizing the district to borrow $124.7 million for a new high school. Students in the district, which serves parts of Aurora and Naperville, attend Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley High Schools.
Board member Christine Vickers said the district ought to take a step back and evaluate whether a third high school is still necessary. Vickers said the board ought to compare actual enrollment to the projections made in 2005.
"I think it is only prudent that we visit this situation as a whole again," Vickers said.
District administrators spent much of Thursday meeting about the land acquisition, Vickers said.
In a statement, Supt. Stephen Daeschner said the administrators were "gathering information so we can discuss options with our board."
"We remain committed to being good stewards of the funds we've been given, so our options must not only be driven by what's best for kids, but they must be fiscally responsible," Daeschner said.
----------
jkimberly@tribune.com
+++++++++++++
Some may have their hearts set on BB, but what is the likelihood that if MV is built on $500/acre land that a 2009 referendum is going to sit favorably with residents?
?'I think it is safe to say' that looks wasteful and it will be hard to swallow for a lot of folks. So we have this building and it sits empty like U-46's schools, then what?
How big is your piggy bank, Gumby?
