Valley Voices Boundary chatter good for laughs

[momto4]

www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/opinions/valleyviews/808465,2_5_AU24_VVSCHERER_S1.article#

Valley Voices Boundary chatter good for laughs

February 24, 2008

I'm sad to report that some schools where I substitute teach are getting a good laugh at a number of Indian Prairie School District parents.

After new boundary recommendations were posted Feb. 12, I was directed to an Internet blog set up by The Naperville Sun, a sister newspaper to The Beacon News. After reading a couple of comments on the blog, I have a much better understanding of the humor.

"Anonymous" wrote: "My biggest issue with the entire 204 boundaries is THE LOCATION that has now been picked for the new HS...As a Naperville resident of over 25 years, I am extremely disappointed in the SB (school board) for not even listening to the public and even insinuating that it is too much of a bother to see how the voters feel! And then to proceed to pick a site out of the blue which does not even service the majority of the 204 boundaries does not even add up to one fourth of the population. How ridiculous is that(?)"

The school board was elected to make decisions, and they're doing it. I congratulate them. The school board is asking for public opinion at meetings and via e-mail and always has.

Secondly, the site was not picked "out of the blue." The Eola Road site was considered a couple years ago, but circumstances didn't make it a viable choice then; those circumstances have since changed. The Eola Road site is an excellent and affordable site. It will serve the district well.

"Proud Parent" wrote: "(I) will NEVER vote for another referendum put forth by the 204 Board and expect that I am not alone in my thinking. I voted NO to the first referendum, and I only changed my mind based on the boundaries that were distributed prior to the second vote.... (I am) meeting with lawyers this week who are experts on school board referendums and hopefully will be able to raise enough money to fund a lawsuit against the Administration and School Board to stop this nonsense."

Blindly claiming to vote future school referendums down is extremely sad and hurts our most precious kids. Look at the problems some surrounding districts have because they can't pass a referendum. Concerned citizens get involved in their communities and become part of the process. It's what we teach in schools, and it's called good citizenship. Furthermore, voting favorably for the referendum only after the boundaries were tentatively set suggests you wanted the new high school only if your kids went to it. The board has thousands of kids to consider. I didn't like the Brach-Brodie site, but I supported it and never lost sight of the goal to eliminate the overcrowding.

"204 since 1991" wrote: "We need to start acting now to make sure the 2010 Operating referendum is defeated. The 142 million (and counting) dollars is wasted money, but they will not be able to operate Metea without an operating referendum passing."

Well isn't that special? I don't even know how to respond to such a ridiculous comment. It's no wonder surrounding districts are laughing at us.

Should you want to bust a gut in front of your own keyboard, I suggest you read the blog. That's what "Joe" did:

"These blogs are way too funny. I haven't laughed this hard in my life. Talking lawsuits, not voting for the next ref., etc. You all make this community one big laughing joke. Anyone from the outside must think that this area is one selfish community. Keep it coming, with the weather as bad as it is this gives me something to smile about. Stay Warm!"

Right on Joe!

[e-mail]

[warriorpride]

momto4 said:

www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/opinions/valleyviews/808465,2_5_AU24_VVSCHERER_S1.article#

Valley Voices Boundary chatter good for laughs

February 24, 2008

I'm sad to report that some schools where I substitute teach are getting a good laugh at a number of Indian Prairie School District parents.

After new boundary recommendations were posted Feb. 12, I was directed to an Internet blog set up by The Naperville Sun, a sister newspaper to The Beacon News. After reading a couple of comments on the blog, I have a much better understanding of the humor.

"Anonymous" wrote: "My biggest issue with the entire 204 boundaries is THE LOCATION that has now been picked for the new HS...As a Naperville resident of over 25 years, I am extremely disappointed in the SB (school board) for not even listening to the public and even insinuating that it is too much of a bother to see how the voters feel! And then to proceed to pick a site out of the blue which does not even service the majority of the 204 boundaries does not even add up to one fourth of the population. How ridiculous is that(?)"

The school board was elected to make decisions, and they're doing it. I congratulate them. The school board is asking for public opinion at meetings and via e-mail and always has.

Secondly, the site was not picked "out of the blue." The Eola Road site was considered a couple years ago, but circumstances didn't make it a viable choice then; those circumstances have since changed. The Eola Road site is an excellent and affordable site. It will serve the district well.

"Proud Parent" wrote: "(I) will NEVER vote for another referendum put forth by the 204 Board and expect that I am not alone in my thinking. I voted NO to the first referendum, and I only changed my mind based on the boundaries that were distributed prior to the second vote.... (I am) meeting with lawyers this week who are experts on school board referendums and hopefully will be able to raise enough money to fund a lawsuit against the Administration and School Board to stop this nonsense."

Blindly claiming to vote future school referendums down is extremely sad and hurts our most precious kids. Look at the problems some surrounding districts have because they can't pass a referendum. Concerned citizens get involved in their communities and become part of the process. It's what we teach in schools, and it's called good citizenship. Furthermore, voting favorably for the referendum only after the boundaries were tentatively set suggests you wanted the new high school only if your kids went to it. The board has thousands of kids to consider. I didn't like the Brach-Brodie site, but I supported it and never lost sight of the goal to eliminate the overcrowding.

"204 since 1991" wrote: "We need to start acting now to make sure the 2010 Operating referendum is defeated. The 142 million (and counting) dollars is wasted money, but they will not be able to operate Metea without an operating referendum passing."

Well isn't that special? I don't even know how to respond to such a ridiculous comment. It's no wonder surrounding districts are laughing at us.

Should you want to bust a gut in front of your own keyboard, I suggest you read the blog. That's what "Joe" did:

"These blogs are way too funny. I haven't laughed this hard in my life. Talking lawsuits, not voting for the next ref., etc. You all make this community one big laughing joke. Anyone from the outside must think that this area is one selfish community. Keep it coming, with the weather as bad as it is this gives me something to smile about. Stay Warm!"

Right on Joe!

[e-mail]

my guess is that some of these bloggers are CFO-types trying to take advantage of the situation, as usual - anytime there's a not-button issue, they're there twisting it into a no-more-taxes platform, regardless of what the real issue is

[mustangpride]

Doesn't Mr. Scher live up near the Eola site? Didn't he push for a northern location?

I think there is some campaign underway to silence the people who are unhappy with how the SB and district are proceeding.

The name calling and poking fun would suggest that.

But it seems to me that it's not just a few people who are upset and I believe they have valid concerns. And alot of them seem very determined to me - I think they'll be more determined.

And it's intersting to note where some of the people who just want everyone to move on live - like the editor from the Sun who lives in Springbrook I believe? Could it be that those who got what they wanted out of this are afraid some of the decisions could be revisited one day?

And I'm not noticing any CFO-type campaign underway. I think it's real people affected by some of the illogical decisions the SB has made.

[gatormom]

Mr. Scher also supported the referendum and the BB site, whether he agreed with that site or not. I personally stopped reading the Naperville PotLuck. It is ugly and people have no respect for other parts of the district, across the board. Enough of that.

He makes a good point. The 3rd high school was meant to relieve overcrowding and that is exactly what it will do.

And I do believe that the CFO-types will take advantage of this divide in the district. Perfect atmosphere to hurt our schools by denying money for education. Voting down the operating referendum will not just keep Metea closed, it will mean cuts in education funds across the boards for all our schools and children.

[mustangpride]

I think the point he makes is that he's getting what he wanted and he wants everyone who's unhappy to shut up so his position is not jeopardized.

[concerned]

I too believe there is a campaign to try and silence those who are unhappy with the site and the boundaries. These tactics will not silence them.

It is false to say that the SB listened to the public. There rude behavior at the Tues. meeting and the SB name calling have strengthened peoples resolve. I really don't believe that this is a CFO thing at all.

[gatormom]

mustangpride said:

I think the point he makes is that he's getting what he wanted and he wants everyone who's unhappy to shut up so his position is not jeopardized.

I disagree with you. He writes an opinion column. That is his opinion and he has a right to voice it, I believe we have been reminded continuously about that here. Once again, he supported BB because this district needs the high school.

I don't like the site but support it because we need the high school. I don't like the boundaries but support them because we need the high school. That is my opinion.

What I don't like to hear is people organizing to file law suits against the district because they want something else. Sorry, that costs me, taxpayer, money. I don't like to hear any garbage about any area of this district. That is hurtful and wrong.

[concerned]

The SB has wasted a lot of the taxpayer money over the last several years. I am fed up with it.

They passed the ref, have the money, now we are to shutup and let them make all the decisions without public input. Have they forgotten whose money it is they are spending.

[gatormom]

concerned said:

The SB has wasted a lot of the taxpayer money over the last several years. I am fed up with it.

They passed the ref, have the money, now we are to shutup and let them make all the decisions without public input. Have they forgotten whose money it is they are spending.

They took public input. Just because it didn't change anything doesn't mean they did not consider it.

ETA: You know, I bet the district and SB really wanted to find themselves in this position, sarcasm intended. Do you really believe that they wanted to anger as many people as they did with this plan? I find that impossible to comprehend.

The SB is made up of volunteers who spend countless hours trying to ensure that the educational needs of all the children of this district are met. That is no small task.

[concerned]

After what I have seen I can not stand behind this SB. Yes, it is a volunteer job, but they sit on that board with their agendas in hand.

[gatormom]

concerned said:

After what I have seen I can not stand behind this SB. Yes, it is a volunteer job, but they sit on that board with their agendas in hand.

Your opinion and I do respect that. I disagree.

[mandmmom]

gatormom said:

concerned said:

The SB has wasted a lot of the taxpayer money over the last several years. I am fed up with it.

They passed the ref, have the money, now we are to shutup and let them make all the decisions without public input. Have they forgotten whose money it is they are spending.

They took public input. Just because it didn't change anything doesn't mean they did not consider it.

ETA: You know, I bet the district and SB really wanted to find themselves in this position, sarcasm intended. Do you really believe that they wanted to anger as many people as they did with this plan? I find that impossible to comprehend.

The SB is made up of volunteers who spend countless hours trying to ensure that the educational needs of all the children of this district are met. That is no small task.

You are not allowed to tell people how they want to react. If there are lawsuits filed then that is someone's right.....We also need to be concerned about the future lawsuits that will affect our children with the new HS....b/c when kids start having mysterious nose bleeds and headaches and then a mysterious brain tumor, what do you think will happen then? I am more concerned with that, b/c when you start talking about the health of kids that is a whole different ballgame…..

[gatormom]

mandmmom said:

You are not allowed to tell people how they want to react. If there are lawsuits filed then that is someone's right.....We also need to be concerned about the future lawsuits that will affect our children with the new HS....b/c when kids start having mysterious nose bleeds and headaches and then a mysterious brain tumor, what do you think will happen then? I am more concerned with that, b/c when you start talking about the health of kids that is a whole different ballgame…..

Nobody is telling anyone how to react. I think it is absolutely commendable that we have concerned citizens who are all over the district about the safety issues. On the other hand, nobody is telling anyone how to react.

We need to stop playing the victim game. If you disagree, fine state it. Just because someone disagrees with you, that doesn't mean they are telling you to shut up and sit down.

[concerned]

The victim game? This SB has been proven to lie, picked a poor site that was unsafe two years ago, aprroved ADK at lightening speed, lost the BB site and will cost us millions and we are just going to sit back and say it is all ok and continue to go to the public for more money?

[gatormom]

concerned said:

The victim game? This SB has been proven to lie, picked a poor site that was unsafe two years ago, aprroved ADK at lightening speed, lost the BB site and will cost us millions and we are just going to sit back and say it is all ok and continue to go to the public for more money?

Nobody is telling you what to do. The consequences of voting down the operating referendum has nothing to do with MV and everything to do with the quality of education in the entire district for every child no matter what school or age.

Once again, everyone decides what action is right for them. I prefer to weigh the consequences of my actions. I didn't do that the first time I voted no for the high school referendum, I regret that now.