Post by sushi on Mar 11, 2008 8:18:15 GMT -6
District 204 residents offer views on parents' lawsuit
March 11, 2008
Stays here because of the D204 schools
As a parent of three children in School District 204, I did not appreciate The Sun's headline on Sunday's paper.
The lawsuit is not from "Parents of 204" - it is a small minority of parents.
How about a front page headline for the thousands of us who think this lawsuit it is a terrible waste of our time and money?
We just want the building of the high school started so our children can have the space and education they deserve in one of the best school districts in the nation. That is why I live here - a 1987 Waubonsie Valley graduate who stayed in the area for my children to have a great education.
Jenny Latham
Aurora
Put school site up for a vote
For the record, I was against both referendums in 2005 and 2006. The first one because of the "carte blanche" check we would be writing without knowing locations/boundaries, etc. I was against the second referendum a few months later after the school board sent out fliers and posted on its site the location and boundaries of the third high school, as I was still not convinced of the need for a permanent third high school after the peak enrollment spike had subsided. My view on the third high school ended up in the minority, and the referendum passed.
Now that the location has changed to a site that was ruled out by the administration/school board and the boundaries have changed, I think the best solution is for the board to put the Eola site and boundaries up for a vote via a referendum or follow up on its original commitment with the third high school on the Brach-Brodie site with the original boundaries it communicated to the 204 voters. Either way, the will of the voters is honored and that should be the primary concern of our school board after the safety and education of our District 204 students is accounted for.
Greg Forrest
Naperville
Lawsuit against board misguided, self-serving
The opinion expressed by NSFOC in its lawsuit against D204 isn't the only opinion in our school district. The NSFOC seems to feel that it is, as The Sun's headline states, "Brach-Brodie or nothing."
Let's express our opinion: That the referendum was for the addition of a third high school to reduce overcrowding and benefit all students of District 204. Could the referendum process have been better? Of course. Is the Eola location for the new third high school perfect? Hardly. Does that mean D204 should be forced to pay a ridiculous sum for the Brach-Brodie property, because it'll be more convenient for certain district residents? Absolutely not!
Should we all be burdened with the costs of having D204 lawyers defend the school board? Absolutely not! The vocal minority has expressed their opinion with a misguided and self-serving lawsuit. I hope I'm the voice of the "not-so-silent-anymore" majority when I say "Let's let the school board do what we elected them to do," and let's give them the support they need to improve D204 for all our children.
Tom Blair
Naperville
Suit against D204 board not White Eagle initiative
In regards to two of the letters printed Sunday concerning the lawsuit being brought against District 204, I resent the implication that this lawsuit is being brought by the residents of White Eagle.
I am a resident of White Eagle and do not support this lawsuit. It is my understanding that residents from all over the district were at the first meeting that just so happened to be held at the White Eagle Homeowners Clubhouse.
This is not a White Eagle initiative. Please stop accusing the residents of one community of being behind something unless you know for a fact that the whole community is in support.
Judy Curley
Naperville
Small vocal minority tries to stop progress
I don't want to waste your time with a long note, but please publish something to clarify how ridiculous it is that a small vocal minority, primarily from two subdivisions in District 204, can try and stop our district (composed of 190 total subdivisions!) from progressing with a new high school.
I believe our school board is working to do the best they can, and have had a lot of obstacles thrown their way. They don't need this.
Thanks in advance for printing the truth!
James Hensley
Naperville
Most in White Eagle don't favor lawsuit
I would like to reply to Bruce Knopp and Barb Verbus who make it clear White Eagle is responsible for the lawsuit in District 204.
It seems to me our only mistake was allowing the initial NSFOC meeting in our clubhouse.
As a White Eagle resident for the last 10 years I will say that most of us are not involved in or in favor of this asinine lawsuit. At this meeting there were concerns about possible hazards at the new site by residents whose kids will attend there but this is primarily a Tall Grass issue, whose residents want to stay at Neuqua at any cost and are willing to trash the district to do it.
Despite public opinion, White Eagle is not the villain here. My kids are excited and looking forward to attend Waubonsie. Our subdivision proudly attended Waubonsie before Neuqua opened. We will proudly do so again.
Keith Kellogg
Naperville
D204 lawsuit filers should be ashamed
An unhappy, selfish few in White Eagle and Tall Grass are suing D204 over the new Metea site and boundaries. They are willing to sacrifice the needs and tax dollars of the rest of the community because they do not want to attend Waubonsie, an excellent school. NSFOC should be ashamed.
The majority of D204 residents are happy with the fiscally responsible new site selection. We cannot afford Brach-Brodie and we cannot afford the delay and legal costs associated with a frivolous lawsuit. I hope a judge will quickly dismiss this childish legal action.
If not, I will line up with the rest of the D204 majority to testify that there was no "bait and switch." We knew we were passing a referendum based on land we did not yet own.
Beth Constantine
Naperville