District 204 parents mull boundaries lawsuit

Let us all pray that cooler heads prevail. Maybe we should ask what Dick Furstenau What he thinks of all this.

Never mind Furstenau, what does Napergate Man think?

Below is a copy of what I wrote to the gentleman that is heading up this new group. It is how many of us feel about the situation.

What legal leg does your group have to stand on in your fight against the district? I understand you want to go to the closest school. I live at the NW side of the district in a neighborhood named Ginger Woods. Ginger Woods residents have sent our kids (Kindergarten through 5th Grade) to a school twice the distance from our home (past Brooks Elementary) for more than 8 years. These are 5-11 year olds. The same goes for Concord Valley across from Stonebridge. They also go to Nancy Young in Oakhurst North when Brooks in Stonebridge is across the street. There's nothing new here! If I can send a 5 year old to school at a "less than convenient" location then why don't some of the residents of District 204 think that their 15-18 year olds can handle it? Will each of these teens be getting summer jobs within a mile and or walking distance of their homes? Not likely. Aren't a lot of these kids on travel sports leagues that take them out of the area altogether -- i.e. weekends in Rockford. If distance is a problem then why do they permit the kids to participate?

Please ask your folks to be reasonable and stop fighting things that are not to your liking (a small portion of Dist. 204). Many of us did not think the Brach land made sense but we supported the fact that the existing schools are overcrowded and something needed to be done. We also accepted the fact that our kids would attend WV 7 miles from our home vs. 2.5 miles to the new location. At that time (2 years ago) was that what we all wanted? Of course not, but when you are dealing with a public school district the size of ours we realize we are just a small percentage of the very large district. We did not bring in attorneys to try and fight the location. Now circumstances have changed, not by the folks in the new MV boundaries fighting to have the school located here, but because with all things considered -- available land, cost... it made the most sense.

What does not make sense is the delay of good progress that has been made by the school board for getting things on track for a 2009 opening despite all of the delays that were initally going to accommodate you folks. Are you aware that more than 70% of the district residents were in favor of the new Eola location? That constitutes a Majority.

Please get back to focusing on your kids in the "here and now" and help this School District save money by not throwing more ridiculous lawsuits their way. Soon no one will want to live in the district (even if their kids will go to NV) because our taxes will be so high.

Also, please leave the environmental issues up to the professionals. They are not members of this District and can therefore be neutral and not emotionally invested in the decisions. They are also qualified to determine the safety above those out there that speculate a danger where it may not exist.

I am nothing more than a resident of the District. I do not sit on the school board, work for the district, etc. Isn't it time we ALL RALLY TOGETHER and get our kids into educational environments that are not overcrowded as soon as possible? Wasn't that the initial purpose of all this anyway?

DH-

Where did you get that 70% of the district favors the Eola site?

Anonymous 10:17 pm

I'm pretty sure DH got that bogus statistic from the SB/administration. I heard them state that 70% of the data they compiled from their "survey monkey" favored the Eola and Molitor site. I find that really hard to believe. I think they should post the feedback so that we can be assured residents are supportive of that toxic site. I'm not buying it.

Can we FOIA that feedback?

I don't believe that's a true fact... Spin, deception, lies, half truth, blame someone else, etc.... Unfortunately, there is a history of half truth in district 204. People are beginning to realize that recently.

Welcome to 204!

This won't be pretty.

I think the 70% was from some 'tally' number BG pulled from an orifice called surveymonkey. It's about as scientific as the decoder ring from Cracker Jacks.

To clarify... the 70%+ number I referred to was the portion of those that were "vocal" during the 2 weeks prior to the site being voted on. Typically you only hear from those that are unhappy about something. Those that are content or supportive usually just sit back and let things happen. The responses in comments online and overall at the SB meeting (including the more than 25 residents who spoke) were definitely supportive. (I did attend that meeting and listen to all of the speakers.)

All of us want to make sure the site is safe however we are willing to let the experts assess the situation and report back to us rather than speculate.

What are your thoughts on the existing boundaries I stated that have sent many elementary students past one elementary school to one further away because of school capacities and growth? (And have been doing so for years!) Is there a misperception that the only people who have been or will ever be inconvenienced are those that live slightly closer to NV but will be sent to WV?

Why do you feel it is your right to have the district accommodate your conveniences by sending kids 1.5 miles to a closer school rather than perhaps 3.5 miles to a differenct school when some of us have had our kids traveling 7 miles to high school for years? Why is it that you feel it is OK to send all of the kids on the North side further than the distance that your kids will ever travel? I'd just like you to please see thing from another perspective.

In regard to the "right to go to the closest school" you might want to check what is going on in other school districts around the Chicago area. It is very common to have neighborhoods full of kids sent to a school that might be further away if it helps balance out overall attendance as needed.

Also, when the majority of the district voted to approve the new high school it was not because it was self-serving and put the school where it would be convenient for us. It was for the overall good of the district to add a 3rd HS somewhere in the district. The SB informed everyone of their intentions but the votes were not contingent upon locations being guaranteed. The SB did their best to try to make Brach/Brody site happen but in the best interest of the district they went to a solution that was within the districts means.

Just a bunch of spoiled whiners! Get over it. If you don't like it move out of the district.

DH is clearly part of the problem with this distrct. They want to force this "kids first" argument and turn it into a "boundry squable". Ignorance.

DH needs to wake up! This is about integrity, or lack there of, of the school board. That 70% support number is bull. If the "supporters" of this site are sooooo sure it is the popular choice, bring it up for a vote. The point is that they will not because they know they would lose! The fact is, with the purchase of the Eola site and all of it's problems, we all "get screwed".

All the facts are there. The lies, the errors made by the board, the "half truths" told on the Eola site", the arrogance. Those that want to ignore this and give the board a pass are enablers. I wonder if they would find this to be acceptable behavior for their children?

If you do not teach your children the values of the school board, donate money to the lawsuit. Help the majority of the right correct this out of control school board.

The fact that should be troubling to our entire community is the principle of the matter....Can a school board actively 'market' one thing to pass a referendum and then not be required to keep their word.

This is the essence , I believe , of why this group is so upset.

There are many in this district who have seen this same school board say one thing and do another many times before. I do agree that it needs to stop.

The point of this lawsuit, in my opinion, is to hold the school board accountable for what it told its residents it would do with the money; buy Brach Brody and build a high school.

Let them go ahead and waste their retirement money because they didn't get their way. Like the guy even states, there is no legal precedent to bring a lawsuit.

Idiots.

This will really help the perception of the White Eagle/Tall Grass communities!!

OK, so DH, now we are supposed to support a site we did not vote on while we pay $150M for the privilege of moving your old commute distance wise (and even more time wise ) to Cowlishaw / Watts - becuase you are now happy. And while you may have voted for BB, 80% of your area did not, and that is not a survey monkey, that was actual vote. So before people start preaching from the mountaintop on right and wrong let's focus on reality. Yes 4 ES's now have boundaries and a site for a HS near their home. It takes 7 - 8 ES's to fill that school and there are at least 3 areas that view this as FAR less than optimal. Why would we put a school where 15% of the school population is within 3 miles when the entire southern area is jammed in now ? Also why would we put it on the site that 18 months ago was deemed a sure hazard by that same SB-SD that now swears everthing is just jim dandy there ?

It's funny how one SDs urvey - equally as flawed as the Sun poll is quoted as gospel and the Sun poll is dismissed.

There are areas that will have to travel to their 3rd closest MS , and then again to the 3rd closest HS under this scenario and for that get the privilege of having their taxes raised. This is NO solution to the issues we have- all it does is move them. So forgive me for not applauding that you now have an ES and MS walking distance and the closest HS in this scenario.

If reality is a 70% majority let the site go back for a general vote ( as opposed to the site the SD-SB sold us,over and over again in writing )
Even the SD does not want to do that, they know there is no 70% majority, which is why all referendums are trying to be avoided right now.

This is a great deal for exactly 15% of the district - no more, and even within that there are people with concerns about the site safety.

District 204 has exhibited a history of lies and deception. They stated that the Eola site was contaminated and was not safe. Five of the boring samples produced toxins AFTER it was cleaned. In the site comparisons, they state that provide an inflated cost for the Brach-Brodie land based on damages, yet the district would only pay damages if they purchase different land. The referendum was defeated until they stipulated that the Brach-Brodie land would be the site and declared the boundaries. They also stated that they would not change those boundaries. I suggest the parents of District 204 children contact Senator Holmes and ask her to provide details of her conversation with Mark Metzger during he quick claim attempt. She stated to me that he 'lied to her face'.

The District is rushing to buy a site that it said was contaminated. It ignores high EMF and does not even address the costs for addressing the wetlands issue. If these people proposed rushing to spend millions of dollars while not addressing these 'hidden costs' in corporate America, they would be fired.

It appears only a court ordered injunction will be able to bring this rogue group to their senses. I support this group’s efforts. In fact, I will be contacting them to offer a contribution.

Just what do you hope to accomplish by filing legal action? Let's see, we can all look forward to our kids attending high school in split shifts, eating lunch in hallways at 8 a.m. and "tryouts" to get into Honors Biology because three times as many kids want it than there is room for!! Or perhaps your kids will have to go to school in the summer (you'd probably file a lawsuit about that one too!) Is this what you're hoping to achieve by all this garbage you are going to put all of the rest of us through? It's sickening and you should be ashamed that you claim to represent the kids' best interests.

The kids will all thrive and flourish in the current plan, really! Case in point, the children who live in the Woods of Bailey Hobson drive right past NCHS on their way to NNHS and guess what...they love NNHS and their families are not suffering because of the commute!

Sooo, I hope that you are all thinking long and hard about what you are attempting to do to all of the kids of this distict. As they say, be careful what you wish for. What your wishing for folks is not going to be pretty for anyone!!

Enough with the lawsuits the sums of OUR MONEY these so called attorneys are bleeding from the school district is insane. We need through the freedom of information act find out exactly how much to date has gone into there pockets. I am sure once we all see how much money has been wasted we will come together as a community.We can then recover from the shock and replace the school board with one that represents us and not the legal community.

DH-

The perspective is I bought a house within walking distance of an elementary school, middle school and high school. These schools were already built and this house was within the school district's boundaries for those schools. Yes, I spent more than I wanted, but I felt it was worth the convenience of my child being able to walk to school.

My choice was not to buy a house in a location that did not have schools built nearby because location is important to me. I live much farther from downtown Naperville than I did when I grew up here, but I felt schooling convenience was more important than entertainment convenience.

I do feel for your point of view, however have your boundaries changed from when you purchased your home? Or are your kids traveling to the schools they were assigned prior to your home purchase? I agree we should rally together to make this the best school district, however we should make sure we compare apples to apples.

DH-

Too late, our taxes are already going to be sky high with the monies the school district is piling up for the new high school. Including all the penalties they have assumed through mishandling BB, the numbers are now staggering.

If we want to control spending (and hopefully reduce our potential taxes) we need real numbers for enrollments. Then informed and thoughtful decisions can be made regarding building and or remodeling existing buildings for our children.

We can't afford Broch-Brodie you dumb axxes--that is not a viable solution because it is not attainable for dist. 204. MOVE ONNNNN!!

File a lawsuit? Are you kidding? Haven't we wasted enough money on legal fees? I voted to raise my taxes to fund a new high school, not to enrich the legal community. How are we paying for the legal fees the district has already incurred? Is that coming out of the referendum money? Is it coming at the expense of facilities for the new high school, or will our taxes be raised further to fund it?

speakingfor all of us dumb axes - have you seen the final costs for AME- MWGEN to compare to BB. Does your crystal ball know what damageswill be rewarded to BB on the land we tied up for 2 years ? Add that to the $5m-$6M already owed to BB for attorney fees ( this per the SB - not a guess). Now let's add to that any more potential delays caused if findings from the 2 series of tests show any more issues than just the 5-6 core sampling concerns already.

And if all the money we are paying to run two shifts of workers to open a partial HS in fall 2009 ends up not being enough to get it done, will they move to 2010 ? Nope - they will throw even more money at it to open in 2009.

Show me the final balance sheet before you start with the know it all condescending tone...

It is entirely possible that AME-MWGEN could end up costing more that BB would have had we started - and for a site the SB themselves says is inferior.

yep - we're dumb all right

Don't waste your time and money on these lawsuits, just move before the value of your home in Tallgrass and White Eagle plummets further. High taxes are diluting the value of your property.

The 3rd high school will never be needed and is a waste of taxpayer money. The district has no money to operate the new school and your taxes will just skyrocket again when they pass the next Ed Fund Referendum.

Get out while you can.

Hey, anybody want to form a group of enraged homeowners to file a lawsuit against the White Eagle group? At least one SB member (CV) told us during the original boundry discussion that the school location and boundries would probably be changed in the future. If that wasn't prior notice of a future change I don't know what is.

Everyone who posts should include the subdivision where they reside. I am in Harris Farms. The subdivision is located directly across Eola from the new location. This dispute is a case of which high school the children would attend based on the new boundaries. I do not beleive for a minute that the residents at the meeting from White Eagle and Tall Grass were concerned with the environmental issues since thier kids would not be attending the new high school. The professionals will determine whether the land is safe.

The district needs an additional high school. This is in the best interest of all children regardless of the location of the buildings in which they will attend classes. I am sorry that the White Eagle and Tall Grass residents will not be sending thier children to the new high school. We will all be sorry if a new school is not built or we were forced to pay the ridiculous price for the Brach-Brodie land so the homeowners at White Eagle or Tall Grass do not have to send thier children to Waubansee. We will all be sorry if our tax dollars have to go to hire attorneys to defend the district against the lawyers hired by White Eagle and Tall Grass residents.

There will never be a boundary plan that will make everyone happy. Everyone will want thier children attending classes in the newest modern school. Let's get the new school built.

What portion of your group that opposes the current situation fall outside of the areas of where the kids will go to Waubansee rather than NV? How many people that are secure in going to NV on the far SE are complaining & threatening a lawsuit. My guess is that the opposition here only comes from the group of neighborhoods that did no get what they wanted.

By the way, we were told our kids would go to Brooks. By the time the housees were being finished and people started moving in it changed to Young. Had I made my most important factor of purchasing my house based on my kids going to the school closest to me I would have asked someone to put that in writing.

No one mislead you folks. The SB bent over backwards to try and make the BB land work. When it was no longer in the best interest of the entire district and became out of our price level they did the next thing and went on to another plan.

Folks, how many of you got in writing that your kids would to NV forever? None, because we all know things can change. Also, WE had a significant # of homes built back in the days when all HS kids went to WV. That did not deter them at that time.

Who has somewhere in writing that they are guaranteed to go to a certain school vs. just the intention of trying to make a proposed plan work (and hang on to it way too long, for that matter.)

Regarding the comments posted about enough with the lawsuits. I agree attorneys only survive by living off conflict and misery they neither build or create anything.

With the freedom of information act we will see how much 204 has spent on these lawyers. Most importantly who they are and what relationships they have to the school district. I cannot believe there is another school district in Illinois that spends what 204 does on legal fees.

After digesting all of the arguments over the past weeks, I really only have one concern at this point. Is the land that Matea is going to be built upon safe??

Lilly:
OMG - Do you REALLY honestly think we're reaching into our retirement money to fund this lawsuit?!?! And YOU call US idiots? We don't have to dip into our 401Ks, honey. We have it ready and available...and we're using it. For what we believe is right. Stay off the website if you don't like it. Don't read about it. Don't blog. And don't worry about the perception of anyone's neighborhood...we're not. We worry about what is best for our kids. And we don't care if you believe us. A judge's opinion is the only opinion we care about right now.

Dear Yeah Right,

Trust me, the % OK with the new Metea site is much higher than 15%. Take those in the Northern section, add all D204 students staying at NV (they are quiet, and happy), and you are well towards 70% OK if not happy with the new site.

Looking forward to the new school, regardless of any attempted lawsuits!

Yes, way back before I moved here, there was 1 high school -WVHS. I am sure it is just as good now as it has always been. Seems to me the Tall Grass and White Eagle parents (and what percentage of the total 2 subdivision populations are represented by the current 'let's sue the board' crowd?) are the worst example of the 'me generation' who like to whine about everything if it doesn't impact them favorably. I bet they will be the ones whining to the college their kid doesn't get into, also. I wasn't aware that district 204 was out to get all the taxpayers.

So a few parents (150) out of how many total district parents (20-30,000) hosted a late night coffee clutch and after 2 hours, you're telling me they found a high-priced "mouth-piece" of a lawyer that's willing to fight "the fight".....wow, next you're going to tell me Northrup-Grumman was in favor of "the surge" in Iraq. These guys don't make money if there's no wars or arguments folks. Your boy is already preparing his bill and his Huckabee speech at the same time(and on your dime). Mr. Collins is quoted as saying "nowhere near a slam dunk", "worthy but tough", "precious little" in the way of precedent, "you folks are getting screwed", he'll "drink as much coffee as necessary".....cha-ching...you're getting played people, by a master player.

Mr. Todd Andrews, who calls it "bait & switch" , obviously isn't familiar with the term. You "bait" with the cheap item, tell the customer you're out of stock, then sell up or "switch" to the more expensive item. The SB, rightfully (this time) in the interest of frugality, has switched us to the cheaper site so we stay on budget and on time. As I've been telling anyone who will actually listen, the BB property was , and did, come in at twice the price and now we should go back? Why? How should we phrase our request this time, "pretty please with sugar on top", reduce your price per acre? ...Send your $204 checks to a worthy charity, (like a care package to a soldier's platoon or The Ronald McDonald House for lodging expenses of parent's with sick children) anywhere you like but don't write a check to Mr. Collin's and his high-priced opinion and penset.

Waubonsie. Please, if you are going to make comments and sound educated, spell things correctly. It is hard to take this information seriously when we can't even get the core facts correct. Waubonsie. Neuqua. Matea.
And everyone knows that this lawsuit has nothing to do with the new high school and everything to do with White Eagle and Tall Grass families not wanting their children to go to WAUBONSIE.

White Eagle needs to get over themselves! Their children aren't any more special! The whole fight is over not wanting to send their kids to WV! I am so sorry! In my opinion, White Eagle residents have been living in denial all along. There is a "Welcome to Aurora" sign in White Eagles' entrance! District 204 includes not only NAPERVILLE, but Bolingbrook, Plainfield, and yes part of Aurora! What is a lawsuit going to solve? Everyone loses especially our KIDS!!!

Welcome to Illinois politics. You might not like the current MV situation, but the SB, as much as I personally dislike them, actually have not done anything illegal. Having said that, their personal ethics could not be a worse possible role model for all of our youth.

First and foremost the referendum was only about one thing... MONEY. It was not about location. It was not about boundaries. If you didn't understand that, if you didn't understand what you were voting for, if you didn't understand what the SB could change with regard to boundaries, if you didn't understand what the SB could do with regard to school locations; then ask yourself why in the world did you ever voted FOR the referendum? As long as you vote based upon EMOTION rather than FACT the rest of us taxpayers will be forced to ENDURE these kinds of mistakes. Please take this as a learning exercise for the future and please do not repeat this mistake again.

Remember the first referendum? Well, the referendum failed. "We the People" said NO and guess what? The SD ignored the will of "We the People" and went ahead and bought the first parcel of ground. That was the first warning sign. That was the first clue. And surprise, surprise they went ahead and did what they felt like doing regardless of the results of the referendum. And under Illinois law, what they did was actually perfectly legal. Again the SB had a choice to do the right thing, the smart thing... to follow the collective wisdom of all of the voters in the SD. Now look at the mess we have with BB, Eola Road, boundaries, etc.

Fact is under Illinois law the SB could have bought BB and built MV there WITHOUT ever asking the citizens for approval. Yep. They have the power to sign contracts and obligate the citizens and there is nothing we can do about it the way the law is currently written. How they would eventually pay for the land and the building is just a separate question.

"We the people" do have the ability to put referendum questions on the ballot in Illinois. Unfortunately, they are "informational questions" only and the SB is not obligated to do anything with an informational referendum question. The only referendum questions that matter are the ones the SB gets to put on the ballot. And as stated earlier, even when the referendum fails it does not guarantee the SB will not ignore and go against the will of "We the People". Seems unfair? Talk to our legislature about changing the rules for referendums. Until then, please understand what you are voting FOR or AGAINST.

Lawsuits regarding school location and boundaries are not worth fighting and WILL NOT WIN. The only possible way to stop this train wreck at this point in time is find enough legal issues that can result in enough injunctions against the SB from proceeding with construction. Enough injunctions that will buy enough time to get us to the next SB election and if it is the will of "We the People" unseat enough SB members to cause a new SB to take a different course of action.

If that doesn't happen then MV is going to be built on Eola Road this year and everyone either better get used to the new boundaries or start making plans to move.

If only our superintendent could have addressed the boundary meeting like this. Ladies and Gentlemen I am overwhelmed with the large crowd for this meeting, it shows just how much concern there is within our 204 school family. I would like to acknowledge the sacrifice that many families have dealt with at the middle and high school levels due to overcrowding and would like to commend those families. Especially those families in the southwest area of our district where overcrowding is at its highest. We have a plan laid out to address this overcrowding And set up this meeting for your input. I want to stress that we will not be making a final decision tonight but will assimilate what is put forward tonight, arrive at a decision and have another "Town Hall Meeting"

If the boundary meeting would have started like that, would there have been a need for a WE clubhouse meeting last night. Before this is taken to the next step, why not set up a "sit down chat with our superintendent Captain Steve D. and discuss the concerns of the boundary changes and the new middle and high school. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at some very good ideas he has forthcoming for this district. I am just not so sure of his intro's. These are jut my opinions I only speak for myself.

Jim Jandick Ashbury, I am officially your fan. That was an excellent post. I could not agree more.

Hey, anybody want to form a group of enraged homeowners to file a lawsuit against the White Eagle group? At least one SB member (CV) told us during the original boundry discussion that the school location and boundries would probably be changed in the future. If that wasn't prior notice of a future change I don't know what is.

Posted by: Let's file a lawsuit | March 5, 2008 08:53 AM

LFAL, as I read your post I remembered talk that CV did not attend one single referendum dog and pony show hosted by all the PTAs nor one board coffee for the promotion of the referendum. If it didn't make sense before to anyone it should now.

This won't be pretty.

I think the 70% was from some 'tally' number BG pulled from an orifice called surveymonkey. It's about as scientific as the decoder ring from Cracker Jacks.

Posted by: Joe | March 4, 2008 10:51 PM

Joe, no different than the Sun's "unscientific" survey to be fair. It's pretty easy to slam loosely controlled surveys.

Grown adults throwing tantrums when they don't get their way......

Move on before you do even more harm to the reputation of your communities.

Point 1.

WV has over 3,000 students. NV has over 3,000 students. MV is planned for over 3,000 students. Total capacity is 9,000 students. I do not believe SD204 has or will ever have a need for a total capacity of 9,000 HS students. That means we will be stuck with the expense of operating, staffing, and maintaining three physical plants that are all being under utilized.

Point 2.

If SD204 has or will have more than 6,000 HS students then we need to determine exactly how many more than 6,000 we will have. Is it 500? Is it 1,000? Both WV and NV are not physically limited in any way from being expanded to incease their current capacity. The capacity of both schools could be increased significantly and without negatively affecting the quality of education. All of the arguments about total school size are unfounded and there is no proof that a school with 4,000 or 5,000 students will perform to a lesser degree than a school with 2,000 or 3,000 students. Tis is more about job opportunities for school administrators than the educational needs of students.

Point 3

If we need more honors classes we simply need to hire additional teachers who are qualified to teach honor classes. There are no educational restrictions on how many honor classes may be offered by any school either by number or percentage. The only thing holding back more honors courses is the amount we are willing to pay for quality teachers.

Point 4.

A lot of taxpayers are upset over the referendum and what it is going to cost. Well hold on because just getting MV built will turn out to be a very, very, small drop in the bucket compared to what it is going to cost us to equip, staff, operate, and maintain it on a yearly basis forever. Wait until you see the tax increase for these expenses. A suggestion would be to be sitting down when you open that tax bill.

Point 5.

IF we actually all agree that a third HS is absolutely necessary and that life as we know it in SD204 will end as we know it if do not proceed with building a third HS; then why don't we really think outside the box for a change. How about building a school that is totally dedicated to advanced placement, honors study, college prep, etc. and open to all students throughout the district? This concept is being used in "magnet" and "charter" schools throughout the country. Imagine the educational benefits and opportunities from an entire HS established for educational excellence as opposed to another "XXX Valley" box that will be nothing more than more of the same mediocracy.

Point 6

All of the trimmings and amenities planned for MV is a result of "all schools being equal" which really translates into "keeping up with the Jones's". WV has a pool, then by god so must NV and MV. WV has a football stadium, then by god, so must NV and MV. Just look over to SD200... neither schools have a swimming pool and the world didn't end for them. The focus is not on athletics by the way. The focus is on expensive amenities that are underutilized and serve a small sub-section of the student body. The SB should be working harder to find ways to consolidate and share expensive facilities that are underutilized and which serve small portions of the student population. The SB could build partnerships with the Park District or other local branches of government. How about the Park District paying for the cost of building the swimming pool, athletic fields, etc. along with being responsible for the ongoing upkeep and maintenance? Then these amenities will become community assets with a much higher overall utilization with a lower cost for everyone in the long run. Until the taxpayers force all of the local forms of government to work together and stop fighting over each others "turf" we will continue to loose opportunities to spend our tax dollars wisely.

Jim Jandick,

I think you are absolutely correct in your analysis of where we would be today if Dr. Daeschner and the School Board had managed this situation differently.

Unfortunately, the Administration and the School Board thought it best to upset people with incorrect information (bridge memo) and using inappropriate words such as "entitled".

Since then, things have actually gotten worse. The Sun's editorial from Jim Lynch made the situation worse in my opinion.

Keep stirring the pot until it boils.

I don't think it does any good to keep telling people they are behaving like jerks. It's only making things worse.

I am a real estate agent in Central Naperville and I will tell you that prospective buyers to Naperville have heard the rumors and do not want to look in Tallgrass or White Eagle for their new home. The reasoning is NOT that they don't want one high school or middle school over another, it is that they have heard the neighborhoods breed ugliness in the community and the residents are obnoxiously self-centered. If you want to perpetuate this feeling that is becoming more and more and more widespread, go ahead and sue our district/school board--that looks just fab on your resume. And make sure to teach your kiddies to always sue when they don't get their way! Suddenly the homes in Dist. 203 are becoming more coveted and highly-valued as Dist. 204, at the hands of you, falls apart. Ohh, for the days of 'ol Naperville before Tall Grass and White Eagle were ever built!

Remember, we would not be having this discussion if White Eagle and Tall Grass had supported the the first refernedum. Metea would be nearing completion on the Brach Brodie site.

And Bill, speaking of spelling - it's mEtea.

To Anonymous who feels it's productive to call everyone names, if we can't afford BB now, what did you think when the SB was lobbying Springfield to get "quick take" powers to start building on the land before the price was known? Did you miss that little adventure, or are you conveniently forgetting it now? The SB basically said we want this land, we want to start building, and we will pay whatever a jury decides after the fact. If they had succeeded in their short-sighted, arrogant, rogue approach to the situation there would have been no "walking away", and who knows how much we would have ended up paying for the land. So, why now all of the fuss about the acreage and operating costs and the lawyer fees? Cost was obviously not a deterrent in their relentless drive to get the property then, so why should it be now? The least, very least, the SB can do at this point is give the people the scenario that was voted on, and approved. (which did not put my kids at the hs closest to our house, by the way) If you want to reduce the issue to whining on the part of those who are unhappy, then go ahead. I am proudly unhappy in a Democratic society that allows for people to protest and confront people and public officials who abuse power and trust - especially as it concerns my children. Stating and restating that the referendum did not specify a location or boundaries is a valid, but poor defense. After a documented, sustained compaign of BB being shoved down everyone's throats along with repeated acknowledgements by the SB that they understood people wanted to know boundaries before voting, no one with any fortitude and intelligence could conclude that the SB is acting in good faith, or in the best interest of its constituents. Location and boundaries are one thing - promoting false interest, using faulty and misleading information, and abusing public funds and trust are entirely different. Start getting on board with what this is really about, whether you agree with dissenting opinions or not.

Hey, Mr. spelling bee champion, (9:27am anonymous entry)....some of us are college educated but type like Columbus...(you know)....seek, land and conqer! So ease up, not all of us have the time you do to proof read their's and other's. Why don't you go out and look for a job or volunteer at a charity if you have so much time on your hands or come over and mow my grass for $20.00 while I'm at work.

I'm so glad I live in 203!

I am one of the people who spoke last evening.

I recognize that it is the Naperville Sun's right to provide a blog for members of our community to exchange ideas. However, I would hope that individuals on BOTH sides of the issue would respect that reasonable people can have differing positions on the path being pursued by the School Board and Administration.
Naperville is certainly the type of community that can sustain having a diversity of positions on something as important as our schools.

I would like to stress that I do not consider myself as one of the "leaders" of NSFOC as suggested by the Naperville Sun this morning. I specifically indicated last evening that I am in fact not the leader of NSFOC, but like thousands of other residents, I am just a concerned a parent who believes that there are significant issues with the selection of the Eola site (and with how quickly the Board and District are proceeding).

I do support NSFOC's message and I believe that the group is a voice for the large number of parents and residents who have similar concerns.

Yes, one of the possibilities being looked at is filing a lawsuit against the District. Is this unfortunate....yes it is. However, if this avenue is pursued, it will be because there is a large voice across the District (we can argue whether it is 30% or 70%, but it clearly represents a large constituency of the district) that believes that we have been unfairly treated, there has not been good faith negotations to secure the BB land as promised, and that there needs to be appropriate due diligence in proceeding with the EOLA site (my opinion is that most of us spend more time on the due diligence process when we close on a home than it appears is occuring on the EOLA land).

However, I respect (and embrace) the fact that there are many in this community that share opinions that differ from my own. I hope that as people continue to exchange thoughts, it can be done in a respectful and constructive way. Regardless, I do not believe that the issues before us will be resolved by attacking each other's character (including the personal character of the Board members and the Administration).

Best regards,

Todd Andrews

With the small but loud disgruntled group of homeowners in 204, it is clear to me that we may not need a third high school after all. What family will want to move into a district that has so much controversy and pending legal threats? Fewer people interested in moving to District 204 will ultimately result in fewer students and presto, no new school is needed. People forget that all the issues we have today are a direct result of the community's NO vote on the first referendum because the "proposed" boundaries weren't attached. Now, everything is the SB's fault.

I understand people are upset about not going to their closest school. Several years ago, I purchased my home in an area that had the proposed Neuqua Valley site as its closest high school. But, when the new boundaries came out, we were sent to Waubonsie Valley. Didn't think is was fair but also didn't think it deserved the threat of legal action. We took pride in our school and have enjoyed every year.

Dear JL....I'm not the spell check monitor, please. I wrote comments above the "anonymous" spell checker....contributors are posted after remarks. I also, type like Columbus (that's good Dr. Dermo)...But while we're on the subject though, district #203 has Central and North, how did we end up with 3 obscure names of Indian chiefs that everyone outside the valley mis-spells?

Man alive. I've never seen anything so pathetic in my life.

I have no doubt that this group of malcontents will indeed file a suit. It will drag on and on, cost 204 taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars ... and will finally be thrown out because these folks don't have a firm legal leg to stand on. The Board acts within its charter by locating school sites and setting boundaries. You don't like it, you elect other members at the proper time.

After the case is tossed, I am sure that this stalwart group will engage in some other course mature, reasonable action. Like holding their breath until they get their way. Or kicking the wall and screaming.

Honestly. I'd like to tell all of these self-centered parents to go sit in the corner and think about what they're doing. What kind of messages are they sending their children? If you don't like something, sue somebody? How sad.

Bill,

I agree. The names of the High Schools are stupid. Many of the primary school names leave much to be desired as well. Beyond, knee-jerk feel good tributes most of the primary school names have no historical significance and never will. But before we go off on a rant over names there are bigger fish to fry.

How about a SERIOUS discussion about MERGING SD203 and SD204? Look how much flexibility we would all gain! Look at how much administrative duplication and waste could be eliminated! Look at how we could better unite our community instead of being distracted by all of the endless conflict! Look at how much better we could allocate our tax dollars to actually improve the quality of our children's education. Look at how much better we would be to attract and retain quality teachers.

The opportunities and synergies that would come from a merger should not be casually dismissed. This is not us vs them. This isn't about turf. This is about what is in the best possible good interest of the children who are educated in these schools... both at present and in the years to come.

Let' work to get SD 203 back to where it was in the early 70's before SD 204 was spun off.

Read your posting again. I have to chuckle it's Metea not Matea.

I think the school board has acted poorly. From the quick take action to the hurry up and get it done no matter what attitude they have with the new site.

The only reason legal action is being investigated is to allow for time to pass and to oust the current board up for re-election. The district as a whole should feel slighted by the service of their school board.

Home values are not suffering in 204 because of the change in school boundaries but rather from the constant complaining of its residents. No matter what the reason for disrest in the district no one wants to move into turmoil!

If people were really that concerned about the quality of their high school and going to the "best" they would have purchased in district 203. Both high schools out rank Neuqua & Waubonsie plus have smaller class sizes!

Your shooting yourselves in the foot by continuing these antics. Embrace your new schools - make them better no matter what the administration and school board deserve.

to Real Estate (March 5, 10:40 AM):

I thought one of the duties of a Realtor is to clarify and educate potential buyers about certain locations? When your "potential buyers" ask you about the ugly obnoxious people in these neighborhoods what is your response? You don't sound like a realtor that I would rely on for accurate information. (In fact the skeptic in me wonders if you are really a realtor??) As far as homes in D203 there are many nice one's there as well. When we looked in 2004 we quickly discovered that homes in our price range were 30% smaller, and 30 years older for what we could afford on the far South side. We are glad we moved where we did and happy that you were not our realtor. Your comments about WE and TG are cheap shots.

I live in High Meadow, and have to say the homes in both White Eagle and Tallgrass are beautiful big homes. Both are very nice neighborhoods with many great people. These groups seem to be simply exploring possibilities, including a potential lawsuit. I have no doubt they will find an attorney willing to take their case (for a fee of course). I hold no grudge against them for doing this and will rely on the courts to rule if this is what they pursue.

In all of the SB's boundary scenarios we were slated for NV. This doesn't mean we haven't been watching this closely. Our concern is with population and size that Neuqua will become in the future. We want safe and secure schools with opportunities for our kids just like everyone else. I happen to agree with the SB on the need for the 3rd high school, and support their chosen location.

(As an aside: Please note that I haven't called anyone a name, threatened some action, or put down someone for exercising their constitutional rights. I guess I did call out "Real Estate" but it was because this person lost my respect in their initial blog. Let's all keep this a public discourse fitting for the well educated community that we are. Perhaps someone can find this out, but how does district 204 stack up against all of the surrounding communities? - not too shabby I suspect).

Response from host:

Well said, South Sider. Let's not sink to juvenile name-calling.

Someone posting as Overcrowding is a Myth made a decent point, but I trashed it because a crude remark was made about Metea.

Insults, name-calling, personal attacks, and juvenile language has no place here. Make your point, be civil and respectful of others, or we won't publish your comments.

Thank you Brad, I really have very few fans ask my wife. but seriously folks if there is a group with these types of concerns I feel its high time to schedule an appt. with Captain Steve D. There are many concerns here that with proper communication could at the very least be addressed. Communication with people that can actually achieve an objective is what is important at this point. Though legal action may address the issue I fear there will be little progress and even less real communication. Thanks again for not crushing me on spelling / grammar errors.

Wow,
It amazes me the level of stupidity that resides in this district. The only point that people who do not have a case can make....the rich people think they are better then us....or....this will only hurt the kids. Wow is that bright. The meeting last night had nothing to do with boundries!

Bottom line is the site sucks, the district is a black hole of integrity, and it must be stopped.

Also, it was not a White Eagle meeting. There were MANY people from MANY communities there. So school board corruption enablers, stop being so bright and get some real talking points.

Sorry Todd Andrews,

There aren't "thousands" of unhappy D204 parents to join you in your frivolous lawsuit. As much as you'd love to have their money!

Harris Farms wrote >>The district needs an additional high school.

I live in Ivy Ridge and just because you repeat the above does not make it true.

Apparently, you can't read and comprehend what declining enrollment means? You don't understand that 600 seniors at Frontier campus opens up 600 seats at the 2 main campuses, you don't realize that on any given day up to 10% of students call in sick, and you still believe the enrollment numbers the district used to "sell" the 3rd high school.

What we need to do is keep the WV freshman campus open and get a couple portable classrooms at the MS for a few years. The problem could have been solved by now for less than what has been spent on legal fees.

The trends are clear....enrollment is shrinking...

Naperville - Single-family new house construction building permits:
1996: 1631 buildings, average cost: $147,000
1997: 1406 buildings, average cost: $155,200
1998: 1565 buildings, average cost: $180,800
1999: 1152 buildings, average cost: $172,100
2000: 1107 buildings, average cost: $168,500
2001: 764 buildings, average cost: $216,900
2002: 671 buildings, average cost: $235,300
2003: 614 buildings, average cost: $264,800
2004: 481 buildings, average cost: $351,700
2005: 407 buildings, average cost: $427,700
2006: 364 buildings, average cost: $437,700

Source: www.city-data.com

Look around you, are all your neighbors in their 40s and 50s going to have any more children?

The 3rd high school will NEVER be needed.

If this group does file a lawsuit, what is their ultimate objective? Will it be satisfied if they can remain at Neuqua Valley? It just appears that this is their desire and all the issues they raise are really just convenient arguments so they can remain at Neuqua. If this is the case, is what they are discussing really good for the entire 204 community?

Did you know the district plans to spend an extra $8-10 million to deliver the 3rd HS by 2009? They said so at the board meeting.

What is the rush?

Are they afraid enrollment will decline again and again and they will have egg on their face?

This is very entertaining.

If someone is going to post that this is not about boundaries, at least post the subdivision where you reside so we can get a full understanding of contributing interests to your opinion.

Overcrowding is a Myth,

If people want to put bumper stickers on their cars with derogatory statements about Metea, they are free to do so. What we're trying to do here is host an intelligent discussion about issues, not be a bumper for people to post their attempts at humor.

The rules are: we do not edit comments. It's all or nothing.

Jeez people get over yourselves and be realistic. I don't have kids, but one day probably will. All this bickering from someone on the outside who doesn't have a vested interest like you do is so petty. So you didn't get the school in a place you wanted so what. Life isn't fair. You can't satisify 100% of the people, it is not possible. If you get your Brach-Brodie land than some other group is going to have to give up something they wanted and complain. It's life...suck it up. When I get kids and have to bus them 2.5 miles or 10 miles I am not going to complain. It's part of the system that is going to try and benefit the most people it can. Suck it up and stop costing the district money (our tax money) to defend your petty lawsuit. You say it is over 204 lying but in reality if you got your way you wouldn't care. Lets just call a spade a spade. Talk about not being honest. If you are so worried about the district wasting money why would you want to go to Brach-Brodie site which costs a ton more? Simple because you want your way...you don't care about the tax payers money. Remember district 204 didn't set the price of Brach-Brodie a jury of peers did. So district 204 did what anyone responsible with there money would do....look for a more cost effective option. So suck it up and quite wasting money on a lawsuit that will lose and quit telling everyone your doing this for the "greater good" when all you doing is trying to be self serving.

>>There aren't "thousands" of unhappy D204 parents to join you in your frivolous lawsuit.

Yes but there are thousands of unhappy taxpayers and many of them are not parents.

JK at 12:25
Wow, it amazes me how naive you think people are. It's not about the boundaries, really?? You expect the rest of us to believe that? People in the district aren't as stupid as you suggest. There would be no discussion here if WE and TG weren't now slated into WVHS would there?

I hope the folks that are threatening to sue are aware that those of us who think your being ridiculous will not just sit back and watch. We will support the fact that we were fully aware that boundaries can change and do not feel mislead in any way.

For the 150 or so people that attended the meeting at WE last night, there are thousands of us that think your proposed law suit is weak and petty. If you choose to sue the SB there are thousands of 204 residents out here that will gladly speak up to oppose you for the sake of not wasting our tax dollars.

The folks that would bring forth this lawsuit are by far a small percentage of the total 204 district population.

Save your money because the rest of this district will not sit idly by as your small group tries everything they can to legally get what they want. Let me know when the court date is so I can gather up those of us that will happily testify that we did not feel mislead.

I think if the SB did anything wrong it was hanging on too long to trying to make the BB site work. They should have moved onto a Plan B long ago.

In my humble opinion, this group is simply asking for more due diligence on the site. We are talking about building a new school that we will have to live with for 50+ years.

As taxpayers, can we simply demand some accountability for the board's incompetence in the past? Am I supposed to blindly trust the administration and the board that the new location and transportation plans are truly best for the district?

Wake up people. You are being deceived. IPSD 204 has wasted your money frivolously on the BB Land and history will continue to repeat itself until we demand more information. The lawsuit is just an effort to get more information so we ensure the district is making an informed decision on our behalf

IT’S YOUR MONEY. THEY WORK FOR US. We all deserve better no matter where you live. Both 204 and 203 have histories of misleading taxpayers on referendums. That’s a fact.

Let’s slow down. The group is protesting the absurd idea that we should buy land prior to understanding the financial damages in the condemnation suit and prior to truly understanding the environmental risks. If the land passes inspection, and we can afford to exit the Brach/Brodie deal, then we can ALL be satisfied.

Is that to much to ask as Taxpayers? I think not.

Glad to hear that you are getting a lawsuit together to slow down the process of the third high school. That makes so much more sense! So, when your lawsuit fails and the cost of the high school will have to increase because of an increase in construction cost, I believe a group will be forming to file a lawsuit agianst your group to cover the extra millions it will take because of you slowing down the process. If your group is so concerned about slowing down the process, then your group should be responsible for the extra cost it will be when your lawsuit fails. When you voted on the issue it said yes or no for a third high school, no where on the ballot did it say based on these boundries and this location. OMG your lawyer just wants his name in the paper, this is his 15 minutes of fame. Be real people, get over yourselves!

>>Just a bunch of spoiled whiners! Get over it. If you don't like it move out of the district.

Actually, I heard from a reliable source that that Leanne Lyons, who ran for school board the last time Mark Metzger, Curt Bradshaw and Alka Tyle got re-elected, did just that.

Sold her house in Tallgrass and has bought a new home in district 203.

How much do you want to bet that the same people who are behind www.nsfoc.org voted overwhelmingly for Mark Metzger, Curt Bradshaw and Alka Tyle?

"However, I respect (and embrace) the fact that there are many in this community that share opinions that differ from my own. I hope that as people continue to exchange thoughts, it can be done in a respectful and constructive way." as posted by Todd Andrews..

Todd, my neighbors and I do not believe that initiating a lawsuit against our school district is either a "respectful" or a "constructive" avenue to exchange thoughts. In fact, I find it INSULTING that I will ultimately have MY tax dollars wasted to defend our district against your lawsuit!And yes, I am fully aware that money has already been wasted....let's not add to the probl