There is no convincing some people that our aging high schools need help. While we can debate the finer points of the plan, the key issues are simple: Are we willing to spend a little to make sure our kids can learn in a healthy and modern environment? Is it important that our community schools are technologically up-to-date?
Since the referendum of 2011, the district has involved
hundreds of community members and held scores of meetings to discuss this plan.
Developed through a highly inclusive and participatory process, this plan is a collaboration
and a compromise. Those who do not like this plan might not like any plan. Click here to see an analysis of the
“plan” the opposition thinks is better.
There are plenty of myths and misinformation about this
referendum. It is very important that we look closely at the claims from those
who say that they are putting education first. Here
is an article that addresses some of these misconceptions.
The infrastructure of our high school is like an old car. In
my family, we try to keep our cars as long as possible. We take good care of
them, and drive them as long as we can. However, there comes a point where the
increasing frequency and cost of repairs and maintenance is not the best use of
our money. When a car starts to need lots of expensive repairs, it is time to
invest in a new one. When we purchase a new vehicle, we use a combination of
savings and loaned funds.
This referendum is the most fiscally responsible way to
address our aging buildings. We have taken very good care of these buildings
for a long time. But it is not cost effective to keep repairing systems
installed decades ago. The district is proposing a combination of reserve funds
and bonds to pay these costs. We should not let our school district drain its
reserves completely. Would you go bankrupt to buy your new car?
And, as both sides of the debate have noted, the issues
won’t go away. What happens if you wait too long to replace that old car? Sometimes,
you get stranded when the car breaks down. Do we want our kids in schools with
broken heating and cooling systems? Sometimes, we have to spend money to repair
old systems because we don’t have the funds to replace them. But that is not
the best use of our funds. Do we want to throw away money putting band-aids on old
equipment we should replace? Do we
pay more to maintain obsolete systems when we could equip our students with up-to-date
computers and educational technology?
For a small amount of money, we can make a significant
improvement in the way our schools feel and function. My yearly tax increase
will be about the same amount I pay for one month for cable television!
To deny the needs of Deerfield and Highland Park High
Schools is to live in an irresponsible past. To oppose this referendum is to
sacrifice the critical long-term needs of our children and communities in order
to save a few bucks now and pay much more later.
I have lived in District 113 for over twenty-five years. I
am the parent of a current Deerfield High School student and a recent graduate.
This referendum is about the safety and well being of all of our children and
the future of our community. This referendum is critical to maintaining an
excellent educational experience and ensuring that everyone who uses our high
schools is safe, healthy, and in the twenty first century! I urge you to vote
YES!
