SUN LTE 2/25

[sleeplessinnpvl]

archwinsome said:

sushi said:

Brad, Sleepless: At the meeting it was discussed at length whether to move Owen east to NV or WV. At first it seemed the majority favored NV. MM argued that if Still was the feeder for Owen it would be easier on parents with more than one child to keep them both in same direction.

I say again, as far as WE and TG; it's all geography. Welch is REALLY walkers year round. No one else is as close.

They have the numbers. How many parents would that have been and did they ask them? (Owen east)



I'd help advocate Fry/Peterson to WV in full as already mentioned, Owen east to NV for a shorter commute, Owen West to WV due to proximity, Cowl main to NV, Watts main to WV, both satellites to MV (since that's closer to those areas), steck/McCarty busert north to MV, walkers to WV or send them all to MV if someone on the board doesn't want their area split. gombert to WV in its entirety.

What it basically does it make just about everything N and West of Ogden be MV destined save for the stragglers that are attached to Cowl main by feldot.
Everyone south and east of ogden and N of 75th to WV, Welch and everyone east of 59 south of 75th to NV. Everyone else (west of 59, S of ogden) WV.

Draw the map.. it's pretty clean.

Voilla, no area goes to the furthest high school and your gap is around 3.7 top to bottom, WV being the #2 school {new WV, image problem solved}

... or so said a bar napkin.. allegedly.

It did always amaze me that the SB kept saying Rt. 59 was a natural boundary but never mentioned Ogden as a natural boundary. Whenever I was looking at the map, that street always stuck out as a good divider.

[Arch]

sleeplessinnpvl said:

It did always amaze me that the SB kept saying Rt. 59 was a natural boundary but never mentioned Ogden as a natural boundary. Whenever I was looking at the map, that street always stuck out as a good divider.

The only 'odd' looking thing was the cowl --> south to NV (their closest school), but I believe that is needed to keep from overflowing WV, but still leave buildout numbers from Builta at NV and buildout numbers for the backfill of the station area apartment/townhomes at MV and buildout number room at WV from ashwood. If that ever gets to be a crunch, that area could be shuffled in the future to backfill back into NV if it ever became necessary. If people want to play the shuffle game they can slide welch west to WV and the SW east to NV and it should still work to a decent extent... still no one going to the furthest of 3 HSs from their area.

[macy]

I don't understand (other than frustration) why we are still talking about boundary issues.

Does anyone really think that the boundary issue is going to be readdressed in the very near future? Really?, even the most minor tweak will reak havoc in this district.

My opinion is obviously based on the following thoughts; the sb/district made a rash decision full of personal board member/administration bias. That rash decision is written in stone until the next board is elected. This is my opinion, if you don't like it, sorry.

I don't think this board, unless forced to do so, will relook at the decision they made on 2/19. Why would they?

Do I think this SB or administration is going to make a change in the near future? Hell no... If they do, they'd better beware of those that will further criticize them. At the meeting on the 19th, many people begged them to wait, think further before deciding? I counted almost 1/2 to 1/3 or the total speakers pleading with the SB to SLOW DOWN and think further. They ignored those pleas. To make a change now would be unthinkable unless they scrapped the entire decision and started from scratch.

While I can commiserate with areas that feel the decision was faulty, etc. I don't think a revamp is in the near future unless they are forced to relook at boundaries for the ENTIRE district.

But, hey... never say never... especially around these parts.

[sleeplessinnpvl]

macy said:

I don't understand (other than frustration) why we are still talking about boundary issues.

Does anyone really think that the boundary issue is going to be readdressed in the very near future? Really?, even the most minor tweak will reak havoc in this district.

My opinion is obviously based on the following thoughts; the sb/district made a rash decision full of personal board member/administration bias. That rash decision is written in stone until the next board is elected. This is my opinion, if you don't like it, sorry.

I don't think this board, unless forced to do so, will relook at the decision they made on 2/19. Why would they?

Do I think this SB or administration is going to make a change in the near future? Hell no... If they do, they'd better beware of those that will further criticize them. At the meeting on the 19th, many people begged them to wait, think further before deciding? I counted almost 1/2 to 1/3 or the total speakers pleading with the SB to SLOW DOWN and think further. They ignored those pleas. To make a change now would be unthinkable unless they scrapped the entire decision and started from scratch.

While I can commiserate with areas that feel the decision was faulty, etc. I don't think a revamp is in the near future unless they are forced to relook at boundaries for the ENTIRE district.

But, hey... never say never... especially around these parts.

I guess we are still rehashing things because we all seek a plan that makes sense. The current one does not. We also all still feel the need to have our ideas heard since the board didn't seem to want to hear everyone.

[doctorwho]

macy said:

I don't understand (other than frustration) why we are still talking about boundary issues.

Does anyone really think that the boundary issue is going to be readdressed in the very near future? Really?, even the most minor tweak will reak havoc in this district.

My opinion is obviously based on the following thoughts; the sb/district made a rash decision full of personal board member/administration bias. That rash decision is written in stone until the next board is elected. This is my opinion, if you don't like it, sorry.

I don't think this board, unless forced to do so, will relook at the decision they made on 2/19. Why would they?

Do I think this SB or administration is going to make a change in the near future? Hell no... If they do, they'd better beware of those that will further criticize them. At the meeting on the 19th, many people begged them to wait, think further before deciding? I counted almost 1/2 to 1/3 or the total speakers pleading with the SB to SLOW DOWN and think further. They ignored those pleas. To make a change now would be unthinkable unless they scrapped the entire decision and started from scratch.

While I can commiserate with areas that feel the decision was faulty, etc. I don't think a revamp is in the near future unless they are forced to relook at boundaries for the ENTIRE district.

But, hey... never say never... especially around these parts.

The way I look at it , it is a way to keep thoughts alive until possibly there is something that occurs that will allow change - and not have to start from scratch again. Maybe - just maybe a few SB candidates will run on the platform of 'change' - hey it's working for Barack. A platform to go back and actually take the time to rework ES - MS - HS boundaries so they do make sense - for everyone. I don't think it's too darn much to ask that any area doesn't go to the furthest HS from it's neighborhood. I also don'tlike satellites - especially multiple satellites for ES areas.

As for the site itself - only a safety issue will prevent this from being the site - and then it better be easily identifiable or else my guess is we'll never know. Other than that it's full speed ahead - double shifts - let's get whatever we can open...spare no cost. Barring a major strike - or some very severe weather something will open there Fall 2009. It may not be what any of us want or expect the first year, but that doesn't seem to matter. If anything is going to change with that - it will be in the near future as opposed to later.

[macy]

sleeplessinnpvl said:

macy said:

I don't understand (other than frustration) why we are still talking about boundary issues.

Does anyone really think that the boundary issue is going to be readdressed in the very near future? Really?, even the most minor tweak will reak havoc in this district.

My opinion is obviously based on the following thoughts; the sb/district made a rash decision full of personal board member/administration bias. That rash decision is written in stone until the next board is elected. This is my opinion, if you don't like it, sorry.

I don't think this board, unless forced to do so, will relook at the decision they made on 2/19. Why would they?

Do I think this SB or administration is going to make a change in the near future? Hell no... In my opinion, they'd better not do so. If they do, they'd better beware of those that will further criticize them. At the meeting on the 19th, many people begged them to wait, think further before deciding? I counted almost 1/2 to 1/3 or the total speakers pleading with the SB to SLOW DOWN and think further. They ignored those pleas. To make a change now would be unthinkable unless they scrapped the entire decision and started from scratch.

While I can commiserate with areas that feel the decision was faulty, etc. I don't think a revamp is in the near future unless they are forced to relook at boundaries for the ENTIRE district.

But, hey... never say never... especially around these parts.

I guess we are still rehashing things because we all seek a plan that makes sense. The current one does not. We also all still feel the need to have our ideas heard since the board didn't seem to want to hear everyone.

Sleepless,

While I hear you loud and clear on your thoughts, I also hesitate to hold out hope that the SB/Administration will rethink any of the "nonsensical" boundary decision that they decided on as finality at the last meeting.

I'm obviously from the Fry community but had major hesitation/criticism with what was decided on as final for all of our children in 204.

It would be a major mistake, in my opinion, to reopen Pandora's box to make a "fix" for one particular area (unless the SB was forced into such a decision) in light of the fact that so many people during the public comment session on 2-19 pleaded with them to delay the final decision.

If they are going to relook at the boundaries (even the most minor "fix") in the near future, the district needs to advise the entire 204 community as to a possiblity for change and allow for public comment. I think they made a statement in the last meeting that the boundaries they decided on will last a very long time despite many cries from residents to delay a decision.

Again, I don't see how a minor fix could be possible in the near future considering how many speakers pleaded with the board/administration to take time to rethink the admininistration's boundary recommendation. Any change in the near future is very unwise, my opinion.


In my opinion, the board should have taken the public comment on 2/19, digested it and come out with a decision a week or two later. Considering all that's occured, I think people would have been okay with a minor delay in such a decision. Why the rush to cram something down the throat of the majority that approved the BB site and boundaries with their vote in 06? No empathy? Disgusting... and a bad decision for the district, in my opinion. Good luck passing another referendum.

Ultimately, I don't think the outcome of a delay from the final boundary decision would have been much different. However, it would have gone a long way towards assuring residents that the decision was well based in thought. If the board had listened to the majority of speakers and taken time to think further about the decision it would have seemed so much more than a "rubber stamp" of what we all knew was going to happen. Any minor tweak that should have/could have happened would have been easily explained by a one week delay of the final board decision. Why didn't they do that?

At this point, the board cannot make a tweak without being attacked. They had the chance to delay and should have.

Sorry for the rant.

Just my thoughts!

[sleeplessinnpvl]

macy said:

sleeplessinnpvl said:

I guess we are still rehashing things because we all seek a plan that makes sense. The current one does not. We also all still feel the need to have our ideas heard since the board didn't seem to want to hear everyone.

Sleepless,

While I hear you loud and clear on your thoughts, I also hesitate to hold out hope that the SB/Administration will rethink any of the "nonsensical" boundary decision that they decided on as finality at the last meeting.

I'm obviously from the Fry community but had major hesitation/criticism with what was decided on as final for all of our children in 204.

It would be a major mistake, in my opinion, to reopen Pandora's box to make a "fix" for one particular area (unless the SB was forced into such a decision) in light of the fact that so many people during the public comment session on 2-19 pleaded with them to delay the final decision.

If they are going to relook at the boundaries (even the most minor "fix") in the near future, the district needs to advise the entire 204 community as to a possiblity for change and allow for public comment. I think they made a statement in the last meeting that the boundaries they decided on will last a very long time despite many cries from residents to delay a decision.

Again, I don't see how a minor fix could be possible in the near future considering how many speakers pleaded with the board/administration to take time to rethink the admininistration's boundary recommendation. Any change in the near future is very unwise, my opinion.


In my opinion, the board should have taken the public comment on 2/19, digested it and come out with a decision a week or two later. Considering all that's occured, I think people would have been okay with a minor delay in such a decision. Why the rush to cram something down the throat of the majority that approved the BB site and boundaries with their vote in 06? No empathy? Disgusting... and a bad decision for the district, in my opinion. Good luck passing another referendum.

Ultimately, I don't think the outcome of a delay from the final boundary decision would have been much different. However, it would have gone a long way towards assuring residents that the decision was well based in thought. If the board had listened to the majority of speakers and taken time to think further about the decision it would have seemed so much more than a "rubber stamp" of what we all knew was going to happen. Any minor tweak that should have/could have happened would have been easily explained by a one week delay of the final board decision. Why didn't they do that?

At this point, the board cannot make a tweak without being attacked. They had the chance to delay and should have.

Sorry for the rant.

Just my thoughts!

I do agree a change probably won't take place any time soon. That would mean they would have to admit they were wrong and I don't see that as happening in this lifetime.

And I don't know if any future board would do the same either. I think they would have to have a pretty good reason such as major overcrowding at one school. So maybe closer to opening they may have to tweak if the numbers end up being out of whack. But I agree that if they reopen this wound and start shuffling people around all over the place without a valid reason, there will be others displaced that will then be upset.

It is too bad that they did rush. The school is not opening in fall of 2008. What's the hurry? Maybe people just wanted to know where they were going. But delaying a week or two would have gone a long way in the "respect" department at least. I was not at the meeting but it sounds like they could have been more compassionate for sure. I feel that with the Dash in charge we might be seeing a lot more of that. I shouldn't judge him because I have never met him or heard him speak. It's just a feeling I have...

[macy]

Sleepless,

Agree on all.

What was the rush in deciding boundaries? Metea will open in 2009 (best case scenario). Even a 2009 opening is pretty far into the future. Why the rush when many residents simply asked for a delay?

Why did they lock themselves into a decision on something so important without taking the time to listen to the community, reevaluate the numbers on their last minute changes, etc.?

For example, they didn't provide the transition numbers for WVHS and NVHS to the community. Why not?

I'm skeptical and cynical as is most of my community of ulterior motives (we don't have a SB member or 204 administrator living in our neighborhood). I realize we may be wrong but yet wonder why the decision couldn't wait a week, two weeks a month....

In my opinion, they made a mistake rushing to finalize the boundaries. That rush to decide will make it so much more difficult to make changes that will benefit many students in 204.

Even the most minor change will create a problem for many in the district. If they make a tweak at this point, I don't blame any community for creating a stir. We were told this was the real deal, something to last for years and years.

Why couldn't the decision have been delayed for a few weeks?

[d204mom]

They don't have the final numbers for all day K. They are guessing. ADK threw a wrench into the boundaries and they have made a stab at "making it right" but my guess is that after 1 year of ADK many elementary schools will be asking for relief and ES boundaries will shuffle again. Daeschner seems to have no problem sticking kids on buses that run across the district and I think we'll be in for more of it. Longwood to Peterson, here we come!

My guess is that they will also do this in a "one-off" willy-nilly manner (if history is any indication) instead of taking a comprehensive look at our entire ES capacity.

[warriorpride]

macy said:

...I'm skeptical and cynical as is most of my community of ulterior motives (we don't have a SB member or 204 administrator living in our neighborhood). I realize we may be wrong but yet wonder why the decision couldn't wait a week, two weeks a month....

just so we can understand, what ulterior motives might someone from your community suggest?

[Arch]

macy said:

Why couldn't the decision have been delayed for a few weeks?

The perception would be that they are not 'doing anything'.

What you are describing about waiting would have been the respectful thing to do. Respectful to the community to give the even better 'perception' that they actually cared and listened and did not come to the table ready to approve whatever floated at them. Throw in a 'tweak' that a blindfolded chimpanzee could have spotted needed 'something', take a vote and call it a night. Ice that shoulder in the morning from reaching around and patting one's self on the back.

[d204mom]

macy said:

Ultimately, I don't think the outcome of a delay from the final boundary decision would have been much different. However, it would have gone a long way towards assuring residents that the decision was well based in thought. If the board had listened to the majority of speakers and taken time to think further about the decision it would have seemed so much more than a "rubber stamp" of what we all knew was going to happen. Any minor tweak that should have/could have happened would have been easily explained by a one week delay of the final board decision. Why didn't they do that?

Agreed on all fronts. Many many very easy things to do to lessen the anger in the district:
- delay vote on purchasing land for one week
- delay boundaries for a week to digest and discuss in depth any tweaks
- hold the meeting in a larger venue
- apologize to the parents that were kicked out of the meeting by the APD due to their poor judgement

I am still surprised The Beacon is the only newspaper that has picked up on the fact that the anger in the district is caused by how this board and administration is treating people.

The super/board/Naperville Sun are busy trying to convince everyone that D204 is filled with bad people that say and do bad things to each other.

[d204mom]

archwinsome said:

macy said:

Why couldn't the decision have been delayed for a few weeks?

The perception would be that they are not 'doing anything'.

What you are describing about waiting would have been the respectful thing to do. Respectful to the community to give the even better 'perception' that they actually cared and listened and did not come to the table ready to approve whatever floated at them. Throw in a 'tweak' that a blindfolded chimpanzee could have spotted needed 'something', take a vote and call it a night. Ice that shoulder in the morning from reaching around and patting one's self on the back.

They need the ice anyway. They are vey busy with the patting for being fiscally responsible and spending $20M more than the voters approved. And for calling the bond premium dough 'a more favorable interest rate.'

[macy]

d204mom said:

They don't have the final numbers for all day K. They are guessing. ADK threw a wrench into the boundaries and they have made a stab at "making it right" but my guess is that after 1 year of ADK many elementary schools will be asking for relief and ES boundaries will shuffle again. Daeschner seems to have no problem sticking kids on buses that run across the district and I think we'll be in for more of it.

My guess is that they will also do this in a "one-off" willy-nilly manner (if history is any indication) instead of taking a comprehensive look at our entire ES capacity.

Yes,

I agree they were guessing. As many of us in the Fry community are "guessing" as to why they put the Mandalay community (new development) into Fry as the previous super (Howie) had assured us the kids from that community would not be placed at Fry.

Funny, why would they move the Mandalay kids from a previous assignment (Peterson-undercrowded) into Fry (capacity school) with all day K coming to fruition next year.

To me, that's not guessing... That's another "screw you Fry/TG" stink bomb being thrown our way. Hey, again, just my opinion. Call me bitter, I'm sorry, I've just been paying too much attention for the last few years.

This Mandalay/overcrowding of Fry concern was addressed at at the 2/19 meeting by residents.

But.. no surprise. not addressed by the SB/administration as all the other Fry concerns.

Hey.. "screw you Fry!". All day K, a stuffed school with music and art and a cart, a stuffed middle school (oh and, by the way your kids will lose 2/3 of their friends cuz of the middle school split) and NOW....

a stuffed high school for you all (as we've stuffed the Owen East kids in WVHS- cuz they were upset) with added commute for your kids that... are probably walkers(IDOT and city of Naperville). So, in fact, WVHS will be overcrowded... Oh, and did I forget to mention, the lowest achieving HS.

[mandmmom]

archwinsome said:

macy said:

Why couldn't the decision have been delayed for a few weeks?

The perception would be that they are not 'doing anything'.

What you are describing about waiting would have been the respectful thing to do. Respectful to the community to give the even better 'perception' that they actually cared and listened and did not come to the table ready to approve whatever floated at them. Throw in a 'tweak' that a blindfolded chimpanzee could have spotted needed 'something', take a vote and call it a night. Ice that shoulder in the morning from reaching around and patting one's self on the back.

I agree 100%....it was very disrespectful of them not to wait a period of time to actually digest the information and make sure they covered all the points that were brought up....so that is why this LTE is a joke (IMO).....I don't reward my kids for bad behavior.....so I am certainly not going to reward our SB for their bad behavior....