It's official: D204 parents sue school board

Finally, someone has the backbone and fortitude to stand up to the waste, fraud and mismanagement that eminates from the Howard Crouse Education center.

The entire IPSD 204 board of education should be replaced and half the 100K a year administrators fired. The first to go should be Stephen Daeschner, Kathryn Birkett and David Holm. You are no longer welcome in the community.

This is ridiculous! Look at the court papers filed, they spelled Neuqua incorrect. Not a good start for a legal fight when your lawyer can’t spell!

Classic case of...."if you throw enough of it on the wall, some of it might stick.".... Mr. Collins et al plays the "fear" card on parents, before the phase II news is even in, because the boundary argument won't hold water and the clock is ticking. The Eola site news is now in (will be public Monday night) and the word is there's no major problems. What's next Mr. Collins, "there's a boogie-man under the bed."

In light of the formal lawsuit, I am reposting my late response on the previous blog in response to Warrior Teacher (March 8, 3:15):

We share the same vocation and I think you have a great "teachable moment" here. I hope you take advantage of it to share some valuable lessons:
1.People will not always agree - our democratic society allows for this, along with paths to peaceful resolution
2.Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are precious rights -we should appreciate them
3.Stereotypes are hurtful and wrong - we should all do our best to stop perpetuating them
4.Sources of information are not always reliable - they should be examined and critiqued for validity

Have your students compare and contrast two websites: http://www.nsfoc.org and http://www.nsfocfraud.com. Which one acknowledges that people have differing opinions on this matter? Which one says that all people in the district should be treated with respect, including the district administration? Which one resorts to stereotyping and using pejorative adjectives like "greedy", "arrogant", and "elitist" to describe people that live in certain demographic areas or subdivisions? They might be surprised at the results. I'm sure you are an excellent teacher and can think of more, or better, aspects of the websites to explore.

In case you haven't examined previous blogs in detail, here are just a few quick examples of the personal attacks and stereotyped comments my neighbors and I have withstood, along with comments about our children:

** I can't believe how many "soccer moms" who live in TG and WE are sitting at their computers complaining all day long.....how do your husbands stay married to women such as yourselves.
GET A JOB OR HOBBY (other than sitting on the computer and complaning all day long)
** Just a bunch of spoiled whiners! Get over it. If you don't like it move out of the district.
** 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.
** I have a question. How many Black or Hispanic parents were at the White Eagle clubhouse meeting last night? Thought so.
Followed by...
I love this post, because it brings to light the fact the room at the White Eagle Clubhouse was full of egotistical "I-deserve-it", types that will do everything they can to stop Metea.
OK, I'll type it. It's not the distance, the splitting, etc. They are EMBARRASSED to have to say they are going to Waubaonsie. (which my kids go to and is a great school)
** I wholeheatedly agree that WE and TG need to get over it. Their kids will survive going to WV, after all it is the same district and the same curiculum. Additionally all of their Abercrombie wearing friends will be headed to WV with them; welcome to the world beyond your elitist neighborhoods.
** The sense of entitlement and all the me, me, I's. It is no wonder TG & WE have a poor reputation and you're children have become selfish, spoiled, rotten little monsters. Now I know where they get it from. It's contagious... I hope you all get well soon!

I could go on, but I think you get the point. This cuts both ways. Oddly enough, if you read the blogs I don't think you'll find one criticism of WV, its students, its teachers, or the curriculum from people who live in Tall Grass or White Eagle (or anyone else who disagrees with the actions of the SB). It's pretty clear to me that it's pure conjecture and stereotyping of people in s/sw Naperville that has the WV students feeling bad. But, I would suggest to you that much of what they are repeating in the classroom is coming from their own homes. I assure you as a fellow teacher it is certainly not coming from mine.

I wish you luck in helping the WV students weather the storm.

Here's part of an article that was in today's Sun. You may want to read the whole. Much of the same rhetoric but I did like the last part.

Site study

DePaul said a Phase I study looks at historical data from the site and past property owners.
"A Phase I study is something that is done on basically every site," DePaul said. "A Phase II study we thought was prudent to do, and we have taken the extra step of involving the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The IEPA will oversee any test results and cleanup protocol required to make sure the site is safe."

A Phase II study involves soil borings and ground water samplings looking for the presence of diesel fuel or antifreeze, which are chemicals commonly used at the site, DePaul said.

A clean site is written into the contract for the sale of the property. DePaul said the site must pass IEPA standards in order for the district to start construction.

"Midwest Generation has committed and will follow through to clean up anything to get a letter of no further remediation from the IEPA," DePaul said. "We hope this will reassure not only the school district, but also the residents that we have gone the extra step to make sure this site is safe."

And, in response to residents' concerns about electromagnetic radiation levels at the Eola site, Indian Prairie School District 204 hired Environ International Corporation, an environmental consulting firm, to analyze EMF readings on the property. On Oct. 30, 2007, Environ International took readings from a northern portion of the property likely to be the school's parking lot and athletic stadium, and reported to the district that readings ranged from .32 to 7.2 mG. The average reading on the Eola site was 2.1 mG.

Environ's report stated the typical EMF readings in a home range from 1 to 4 mG and the readings at the site were consistent with a typical suburban area.

"The magnetic fields produced by the high voltage transmission lines appear to be elevated only in close proximity to the lines," Crawford said in the letter. "Levels dropped off to normal background values at less than 300 feet from the lines. Since the proposed building site is removed from the power lines and in an area with low electromagnetic background, there should be no increased risk associated with the school location."

DePaul said everything in the results indicate a safe location.

"Basically what they found on the site is typical for a suburban area," DePaul said. "They didn't see anything they would identify this as an unsafe site or a site they would not recommend."

What a joke! I am so glad I got out of Naperville a few years ago. The traffic, high property taxes, infighting with the school board and weather were just a FEW of the reasons. Now I read this trash. Good luck and good riddance!

what a buncy of cry babies! If you dont' like it MOVE - but not into 203. We don't want people like you interacting with our children. You are teaching children the wrong things. I am embarrassed that you are part of the Naperville community. If you want this school on the Brach Brodie property, and you obviously have an over abundance of money, then take up a collection to make up the monetary difference in the price of the property. Then the school can be renamed 'Snobby Valley High School.

This lawsuit is absurd -- why did this group not come forward until after the boundaries were set ?? Why the lawsuit just a few days prior to a board meeting to discuss the findings of studies taken to review the concerns with the land for the new school ??
How about spending the time ( and the money ) to support the schools your are going to attend -- get involved at the school -- help the schools grow as positive communities accepting of the peoples who make up those communities -- accept the fact that difficult decisions needed to be made and the distict administration had the courage to make those decisions in the best interest of the entire district --
don't agree with those decisions - fine -- put your name on the ballot for the next school board election -- find out how difficult a position it really is --

Will the litigious few give up when the environmental studies turn up no problems? Of course not, because the IEPA "can't be trusted". Oh yeah, and because their real issues are with the BOUNDARIES...

After checking out NSFOC web site and their heading "Did you think it was over? It's not over." It sort of reminds me of John Belushi's speech in Animal House after dean Wermer pulled Delta's charter...."Nothing is over. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor"... and Otter said to Boone, "leave him alone, he's on a roll."

Well the same conclusion and ending will occur. The "Delta force"(NSFOC) and their misguided group will have their 15 minutes of fame trying to sabotage "the town parade" but in the end.... the losers will be expelled and the SB will say the same thing Otter said to Flounder (about his older brother's damaged Lincoln Continental).... "hey, you screwed up, you trusted us."

Big Picture Issues –

If there is no presumptive criticism of WV by those pushing the lawsuit, then why don’t they just drop the lawsuit and agree to send their kids to WV? Why the fight to keep the original boundaries? This just doesn’t add up.

T.B.

As much as I didn't like the school district at times, ITS BRACH BRODIES FAULT, not the school district! In case you forget, the district tried everything they could to grab that land. Instead of IDIOTICALLY suing I.P.S.D., you should be helping them to grab the Brach Brodie land, by SUING Brach Brodie. Are you guys too blind to see that the Brach Brodie Trust is why they ended up chosing the Eola Rd site? That site they could actually afford. You guys obviously want to make education for your children worst, by sending their education to the cleaners. They already have problems, when I went to Neuqua last year, lots of the bathrooms, were either broke or locked up all the time. If they actually had money, that stuff would be fixed, and stuff happens at Neuqua too, as does Wabounsie. I recall the naked guy, mothers fist fighting, the advocacy groups fighting about a certain shirt worn by a student, the list goes on. White Eagle, we all know why your really doing this. If you were in the Neuqua boundry still, you wouldn't care. A number of you are the same guys in Aurora who FAKED your way into Naperville by putting that as the city on your mailing address, which ended up getting your water shut off by the city of Aurora, because you didn't like the reputation of living there.

Link to suit: http://www.nsfoc.org/pdf/complaint.pdf

Here's the link to the supporting case law in the last count. http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/489/489.F2d.1098.73-1330.html

Even to the casual observer it is clear that there is a legal and moral and ethics issue related to the referendum. In short, the District, via the Board and administration, went out of their way to document the referendum as being for a school to be built at the BB site.

Despite the wording of the referendum itself, the satellite documents pave a defacto case on tehBB site as a basis for the vote.

There is a simple and inexpensive solution to your issues in 204:

Hold a special referendum election to re-vote on the funds AND the new site

This will DEFINITELY be cheaper than a lawsuit, would result in less bruised feelings, and can be done fairly quickly (again, much quicker than a lawsuit).

Problems?

Politicians tell half truths all the time during their campaign, and when elected they never do as they say. So what's next, people suing the President, Mayor, or any other elected official?? Just accept what happened and move on. Be thankful that you have healthy children to send to school.

Daeschner wasn't even here at the beginning!

After reading today's papers and now this blog I have to make a comment. I live in White Eagle and think we have gotten a bad rap. My 5th grade son is thrilled to being going to Waubonsie. He was a member of the Waubonsie Braves junior wrestling team for several years and has more friends on the north side of town then he does here. I was at the meeting at the White Eagle homeowners clubhouse just for curiousity really. There were some from White Eagle of course. There were also people from May Watts, and Stonebridge who were interested in the possible polution since it was their kids that had to go there. But what was obvious was this whole group that is protesting is first and foremost from Tall Grass. With them it is all about staying at Neuqua. Nothing more. They couldn't care less about the safety of the kids at Metea; it is just an excuse to stay at Neuqua at all costs. Tall Grass has been uncooperative and obstinate from the beginning. When Brach Brodie was first proposed they didn't like it because it took them away from Neuqua and a group from Tall Grass had a temper tantrum and stomped out of a public meeting making threats at the School Board. When we moved to White Eagle almost ten years ago this was a mellow place. The kids all went to Waubonsie and loved it. I attended the first football game between WV and NV. It was kind of a festive like atmosphere and the prevaling attitude was- "Hey what a great game, lets go out and have a beer".
However Tall Grass was just staring to go up at that time and the new residents all said they came because of Neuqua and no other reason. I know the word 'entitled' has become a four letter word of late but that has always been the attitude of Tall Grass residents concerning Neuqua. As someone who has lived here for the last decade, this is what I have seen and am not alone in this thinking. White Eagle is not Darth Vader in this matter. Tall Grass is. The reputation of 204 has really dropped because of the selfishness of this one subdivision.

This is deeply disappointing to me. We had planned to put our house on the market next year, but this ugliness makes me want to leave sooner rather than later. I'm in the Neuqua attendance area and my assignment is not changing in 2009. We were going to sell next year in hopes that the market would be a bit stronger, but we've decided to put our home on the market this Spring and price it accordingly.

To those of you who want NVHS so badly, come check out our beautiful subdivision, River Run. We'll miss our fantastic neighbors who have become good friends, but I won't miss the long winters here and I definitely won't miss the bitterness caused by this dispute. I've been shocked by comments made by people who live in one of the affected subdivisions. I'm not referring to anonymous posts on blogs, but I'm speaking of comments we've directly heard at dinner parties and children's birthday parties. We have lived in other parts of the country where rapid growth is occurring and redistricting is the norm, so we've been surprised by the reactions of some of the residents here. I'll miss many things about Naperville, but now I'm looking forward to leaving. Good luck to all of you.

Big Picture Issues...
My aren't we self-righteous! The people in this district have long memories and many derogatory remarks were made during the initial Matea boundary discussions. You can mask this anyway you want but it still smells the same. I don't like the new site either, but I'm not willing to have my taxes go up anymore than they already will just so a very small number of parents can get their way and force the district to build on Brach Brodie. It never made any sense to have all 3 high schools on this end of the district to begin with. Neuqua is still going to be overcrowded whether Matea ever gets built or not. To alleviate that overcrowding, those subdivisions that are equidistance to NV and WV (ie White Eagle) should still be moved to WV.
LET'S HAVE A NEW REFERENDUM, VOTE NO AND MOVE WHITE EAGLE TO WAUBONSIE TO ALLEVIATE OVERCROWDING AT NEUQUA.

Link to suit: http://www.nsfoc.org/pdf/complaint.pdf

Here's the link to the supporting case law in the last count. http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/489/489.F2d.1098.73-1330.html

Posted by: Anonymous | March 9, 2008 11:32 AM
This doesn't support this little group's lawsuit whatsoever!!! NO PROPERTY NAMES WERE EVER ON THE BALLOT!!! YOU didn't vote for "Cherry"(Brach-Brodie) only to be replaced with "Palmer"(Eola). You voted yes or no for a third high school people! period.It doesn't fit the jello mold.sorry.

If we were voting for the 3d high school and not the site and boundaries....why did it fail the first time and why did the SB and District hold upwards of 25 meetings to tell the public that they were voting on boundaries and the BB location (see the complaint at www.NSFOC.org.

Parents Behaving Badly. The childish actions of a small percentage of parents in White Eagle and Tallgrass will only continue to make the look like selfish baby-boomers. Thank god not all the residents in these sub-divsions are irresponsible. The remaining sub-divisions in 204 will band together and once again put these babies to bed.

What people seem to be forgetting is that if a 3rd high school is not built, the boundaries would be changed anyway. So if the NSFOC gets their way and the referendum is overturned, new boundaries will be drawn up to eliminate the overcrowding that is still the issue. Where do you think you will go then? If the people from Tall Grass get sent to WV, which is likely in this scenario, then what? Who will you sue then?

Exactly as expected, those in Naperville who think they are better than anyone else, have decided to deprive everyone until they get what they want. These people who think they can disguise their misguided sense of entitlement are what is wrong with Naperville, and I am truly afraid of what the world will look like when their children grow up believing that they can have anything they want, anytime they want it, just because they have a few extra $$ in their pockets.

Grow up people, think of what you're teaching your kids ..... I only hope my children don't end up in school with ANY of yours. We may not be as "special" as you believe yourselves to be, but we have morals and ethics, and if your children are learning from your actions, they will have neither.

I too saved board emails and letters. Several indicate that the boundaries could always be subject to change if a new site had to be pursued.
Remember, everyone knew the BB site was NOT a done deal when voting in March 2006...the district did not own enough of the property yet....we all knew it was dependant on the future proceedings.
I saved one email in particular from Feb. 2006 that states...."When people ask us if boundaries could still be changed, we have to answer that theoretically they can be. WE also have stated that this is such a huge issue that if would be difficult to do. That is all we have said.

Howie Crouse

If we were voting for the 3d high school and not the site and boundaries....why did it fail the first time and why did the SB and District hold upwards of 25 meetings to tell the public that they were voting on boundaries and the BB location (see the complaint at www.NSFOC.org.

Posted by: Anonymous | March 9, 2008 01:12 PM

Anonymous,
Because people didn't believe or know whether the numbers supported a third high school.I didn't have any idea the number of kids in this district until I attended the meetings in 2005 and saw the populations in each of the high, elementary, and middle schools and grades. My husband refused to attend the "boundary meetings" because he said that was a waste of time since the district didn't own enough of any land to build a high school on it yet. Boundaries couldn't be set or enforced to 100% until the property was owned.Period.

Our vote needed to be based on whether we thought the district needed a third high school or not.That is why I voted the way I did in 2006. The ballot asked if I was in favor of the district building a third high school ...Yes or no.That's all.

Get Some Perspective
Self-righteous! More predictable name calling, but at least I give you credit for coming up with something new. Maybe I can ponder that assessment as I drive to my spa appointments and trips to the mall to buy my children, otherwise known as spoiled, horrible little monsters, more Abercrombie clothes. Oh, but wait, I actually have a job. Guess that won't work.

Once again, no simple acknowledgement that the mud-slinging is far from one sided and that people's opinions and rights should be respected - the only points I was trying to make, and certainly the ones I share with my children, regardless of how I'm stereotyped. As for the last time around, all I can say is that I personally never said anything negative about WV students, teachers, or Aurora residents. Why would I? I have friends that live in Aurora and my kids have friends in the WV attendance area. If other people did, they shouldn't have. Maybe my memory is not as long as yours but, if I remember anything about the last go around, it's the fact that it was NEVER one sided. So stop pretending it was.

If you don't like the site but are willing to settle for it, that's great. Absoutely your choice. Many people don't like the site and have decided to challenge, engage - whatever you want to call it - the SB to respond to complaints that have repeatedly been raised in public forums and emails but have been ignored. Again, their choice. You say that Neuqua will still be overcrowded whether Metea is built, or not. I agree. At the risk of sounding self-righteous again, maybe you should think about that and say, "Is this really acceptable?" or "Why is this the case?" If you don't ask those questions, is it because your kids won't go to Neuqua, the overcrowding won't affect you, so you don't really care? Hmmm...

The complaint against the SB is to do exactly what you suggest in an indirect way - if the situation needs to change, then have a new referendum. The important difference is, it would focus on much bigger issues than outing and chastising specific subdivisions, something people just can't seem to resist. If you don't like the site, but are willing to live with it, then don't cast stones against others who are not. You should have been worried about your taxes going up because of this mess long before this lawsuit, for which any cost to the district taxpayers will be negligible compared to the multi-million dollar check the board will be writing to the Brach Brodie parties for saying "Oops, we really didn't mean it."

Well, gotta run now. Can't miss that appointment to get my teeth bleached!

It seems to me that the residents of White Eagle and Tall Grass have forgotten to think about their children. Instead they are teaching them a lesson of intolerance, temper tantrums when they don't get what they want and adult selfishness. What a grave injustice they have done to their children. Shame on them. Go Warriors!

Big Picture Issues –

If there is no presumptive criticism of WV by those pushing the lawsuit, then why don’t they just drop the lawsuit and agree to send their kids to WV? Why the fight to keep the original boundaries? This just doesn’t add up.

T.B.

************
T.B. - The criticism is clearly against the School Board, the defendants in the suit. I think people have sadly misinterpreted concerns over WV (and MV) in terms of location relative to their homes and how that affects their daily lives, as well as how it clearly does not fit (for most) into meeting the Board's criteria of reduced travel times, reduced travel costs, splitting of schools, etc. as personal attacks. These facts and concerns are very different from criticisms of a personal nature toward students, teachers and residents of Aurora. The criticism is squarely on the shoulders of the school board. The fight, whether a person believes in the cause or not, is to keep the board accountable to its words and actions prior to and subsequent to the referendum vote.

The school district sold a referendum based on a

school site

boundaries

cost of 124.6 million

skyrocketing enrollment.

The site is different, the boundaries are different, the cost has skyrocketed to 160,000,000, in the last 2 years elementary school enrollment has declined by 284 students and high school enrollment will peak in 2011 & then decline.

Yes that's right, the district's latest projections have enrollment declining 1 year after the 3rd high school is scheduled to open.

You can not believe anything the district tells you.

Enough is enough.

Fight the district and pledge your support at

http://www.nsfoc.org/

Read the complaint at

http://www.nsfoc.org/pdf/complaint.pdf

Some people in TG/WG believe the SB/Admin broke promises as to the boundaries and location of the 3rd HS. Perhaps the SB should consider bringing the referendum back to the people and when it passed for the Eola site this would certainly silent those in TG/WG.

Look at what its costing Elgin School District for this on going law suite, can we afford this? http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=150182

Even if the SD would drop the 3rd high school, which it won't and should not. We still would have to re district between 2 high schools. Guess what? WE and TG you will still go to WVHS! Save your time and money give it to support sports, teachers, technology or AC. This is all about people who believe they are above the rest and should be treated this way. It is simple, we voted for a high school and we are getting one!

I do not understand all of the emotion and hate.

It seemed to be okay for the District to spend millions of dollars to sue BB for 2 years (charitable trusts by the way) for the land, but it is not okay for residents who feel they have been wronged (for whatever reason) to try to enforce their rights through the channels constitionally available to them?

Why did they wait...probably because up until 1/15 there was no issue and unlike the Board and District, normal people try to do research and due diligence before initiating something as serious as a lawsuit (or buying school land)? If the EOLA land was the right choice, why didn't the District try to condemn this land 2 years ago and why did the Board declare it unsafe?

It seems that is is going to be okay for at least most people on this blog when the District gets hit with a damage judgement (and opposing side's legal fees) of what is expected to be well over 10 million in additional dollars because it will have broken its word to buy the BB land for the price determined by the jury.

If you believe that the lawsuit has no merit, what are you worrying about (it will play out and we can all go about calling each other names when the new SB elections come about or when the operating referendums come up for vote, etc.)?

Quite frankly, I can not believe that anyone thinks any near-future operating referendums will be passed anyway so perhaps the people who have supported this lawsuit are doing us a big favor (sounds like having an empty 150 million dollar school would be a heck of a waste). In fact, I think I will send my $204 right now.....

I do not understand all of the emotion and hate.

It seemed to be okay for the District to spend millions of dollars to sue BB for 2 years (charitable trusts by the way) for the land, but it is not okay for residents who feel they have been wronged (for whatever reason) to try to enforce their rights through the channels constitionally available to them?

Why did they wait...probably because up until 1/15 there was no issue and unlike the Board and District, normal people try to do research and due diligence before initiating something as serious as a lawsuit (or buying school land)? If the EOLA land was the right choice, why didn't the District try to condemn this land 2 years ago and why did the Board declare it unsafe?

It seems that is is going to be okay for at least most people on this blog when the District gets hit with a damage judgement (and opposing side's legal fees) of what is expected to be well over 10 million in additional dollars because it will have broken its word to buy the BB land for the price determined by the jury.

If you believe that the lawsuit has no merit, what are you worrying about (it will play out and we can all go about calling each other names when the new SB elections come about or when the operating referendums come up for vote, etc.)?

Quite frankly, I can not believe that anyone thinks any near-future operating referendums will be passed anyway so perhaps the people who have supported this lawsuit are doing us a big favor (sounds like having an empty 150 million dollar school would be a heck of a waste). In fact, I think I will send my $204 right now.....

In response to:

(I saved one email in particular from Feb. 2006 that states...."When people ask us if boundaries could still be changed, we have to answer that theoretically they can be. WE also have stated that this is such a huge issue that if would be difficult to do. That is all we have said.)

That's great, but not in the brochures that the District put in my kid's bag (they clearly said that the referendum was in fact to build a third high school on the BB land). Looks like the consultants had different startegies for different niegborhoods (hey, reminds me of something).

In one of the other papers...

An additional note in regards to self interests:

In presenting the 2nd referendum (at which time the BB land condemnation site had already been filed), our District made a COMMITMENT to the CHARITABLE trusts that owns the BB land. In tying up the land for several years, the District promised the charitable trusts that it would "pay whatever price" that the jury came back with. In fact, the District specifically promised that it could afford the 600K per acre evaluation (80K less than the jury verdict).

Our Board President Mr. Metzger also has previously commented on the integrity issue:

"Beyond the practical reality lies the idea of simple fairness. We did the boundaries [i.e., those published by the District on 12/1/06] two years earlier than normal because the voters told us that they needed to know the boundaries in order to evaluate their votes. To change the boundaries after the vote smacks of a bait and switch and is just simply unfair."

Is it appropriate for our District and our community to disregard these promises because it now may have found "cheaper" land? I would suggest the issues of self interest and integrity cuts across both sides of the aisle.

Todd Andrews

NSFOC is just pouring salt into a wound! They are the equivalent of the RICHARD BAILEY of the missing Helen Brach story:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=7th&navby=case&no=952504

Suing to get Brach-Brodie instead of Eola will cost taxpayers more $ all around:
-$ for the lawsuit
-$ for the more expensive Brach Brodie land

Leave those people alone already!!

There are so many things that could have been done differently by our school board and administration over the past few months to prevent this division in our community, but the way I see it, what's done is done.

I would implore everyone to please stop with the name calling and labeling of entire areas as being selfish or even worse. Calling people "entitled" or selfish or anything else solves nothing and only divides our community more. Please, instead of trying to "destroy" the "opposition" can we all work together to find a solution?

"Beyond the practical reality lies the idea of simple fairness. We did the boundaries [i.e., those published by the District on 12/1/06] two years earlier than normal because the voters told us that they needed to know the boundaries in order to evaluate their votes. To change the boundaries after the vote smacks of a bait and switch and is just simply unfair."

Is it appropriate for our District and our community to disregard these promises because it now may have found "cheaper" land? I would suggest the issues of self interest and integrity cuts across both sides of the aisle.

Todd Andrews
posted by anonymous

These comments were in reference to the BB location that the SB tried very hard to get.MM was indicating that the BB boundaries should not change any further. At this point they still believed that this land was obtainable. All along they said that if the location changed then "while it would be a difficult thing to do..." the boundaries would obviously have to change too...common sense folks...this was a posting from two years ago about circumstances that were true two years ago.

Today the land is no longer available and Eola land is. Would you feel justified if we keep the BB boundaries and apply them to Eola? I mean the boundaries would not be changing then! Come on folks!!!!

Wow. That is all I can say. I just don't understand this. When a person moves to a growing community what do you think is going to happen? Things are going to change and you have to change with them. I just can't believe this is happening to the district. Not all parents in the district are as upset as this small group is. Words cannot express how mad, sad, and unbelievably bad I feel for those who are getting bad press (Waubonsie). We are not acting like adults, we are not acting like a community. We are acting like spoiled brats who did not get our way. I say we because once you say Naperville we are all lumped together. We don't all feel this way. It is time for those who believe we need to move on to speak up. It is time to stick up for schools and show them we care about all of them. It is time for this pettiness to be put to rest and start acting like compassionate, caring people. Please, stop this and show your kids what a true adult looks and acts like.

To: Posted by: Anonymous | March 9, 2008 05:01 PM
These comments (To change the boundaries after the vote smacks of a bait and switch and is just simply unfair." Said Board President Mr. Metzger ) were in reference to the BB location that the SB tried very hard to get.MM was indicating that the BB boundaries should not change any further. At this point they still believed that this land was obtainable. All along they said that if the location changed then "while it would be a difficult thing to do..." the boundaries would obviously have to change too...common sense folks...this was a posting from two years ago about circumstances that were true two years ago.

You are right when you said “this was a posting from two years ago about circumstances that were true two years ago” The referendum was two years ago, the real estate market was doing well and the Admin projected strong growth #’s for enrollment-two years ago, foreclosures were not hurting neighborhoods, communities and the national economy two years ago. Things have changed from two years ago, the SB & Admin now has to be held accountable, no one quite know what the BB damages would be, school enrollment is on the decline…Things has changed from two years ago, and so should the need for a 3rd HS, save us the tax increase SB add on to WV & NV, things has changed from two years ago.

I am deeply saddened (and disturbed, quite frankly), by all the hate being spewed at residents (AND CHILDREN) of WE and TG.

It seems to me that it will be up to a jury to determine the validity of the lawsuit. While that plays out, perhaps those of you who are hurling insults will consider what you are teaching YOUR children.

I previously had no reservation of sending my child to WVHS. Great school, great teachers, etc.

But with the venom I am witnessing (absolute hatred toward certain sections of the district), I absolutely would not put my child in this situation. How would they be treated at WVHS by other students (and even teachers?) I will certainly explore other options - I want a positive situation for my child.

I believe that the NSFOC's position does have merit. Is that what sends others into a frenzy?

I don't live in White Eagle or Tallgrass and neither do some of my neighbors who support the complaint 110%.

You can too!

http://www.nsfoc.org/

>Today the land is no longer available

The Brach Brodie land is still available.

Have you even read the complaint? These folks have a valid case.

Read the complaint at

http://www.nsfoc.org/pdf/complaint.pdf

It's clear they "sold" the 3rd high school based on boundaries and a site, this is what the consulting firm told them to do after the 2005 referendum failed.

The advise was "tell them whatever they want to hear".

One thing is clear, district 204 leadership operates by one credo: the end always justifies the means.

Ok, if the lawsuit is asking (as a remedy) to pay the NSFOC's attorney fees and costs, why does NSFOC need to collect any checks?

Reading the complaint, it's my opinion that this was written prior to last week's "initial" meeting at White Eagle. Since then NFSOC has just been playing a game in the media.

>why does NSFOC need to collect any checks?

If the lawsuit fails, they still have to pay the attorney.

Big Picture Issues –

If you truly think the reason for the lawsuit was the “reduced travel times, reduced travel costs, splitting of schools, etc.” as you stated, then why was the suit filed well after the SB abandoned the BB site and moved to the Eloa site?

The timing indicates the suit is more about where certain students attend and nothing else.

T.B.

My comments are focused on this Blog for the exchange of ideas and opinons. Its a joke. I have been to the meetings on the south side and know there have been dissenters in the room. Not one has had big enough cajones to stand up and tell us off like they do on this blog. I am all for a healthy debate, but this is "sooo junior high". People will spew hatred about fellow residents that they would NEVER say to their face. I invite you all to come to a meeting and have your say there. I will post where the next one is located. All are welcome. I encourage anyone who thinks my kid is a spoiled monster or that I'm a bad person to come down and say it in person.

Tomorrow is the SB meeting. Who wants to bet that the SB will pause and listen to the citizens who are outraged and try to get this decision back on track? They'll call a special meeting to meet the residents face to face and respectfully talk through both sides of the issues and attempt o work out a win-win. Right... me neither.

I recall that ~ 3/17 we will hear what the multimillion dollar damages estimate (over the alrady estimated $5-6M in legal fees we owe the BB attorneys) from the BB trust in court. Since we have plenty of money to burn I suppose we should let the SB continue on this runaway train of spending... WRONG. We need to know the cost of getting out of the BB site BEFORE we buy Eola. It will clearly be more than the legal fees.

The SB needs to stop this process and show us the facts about our liabilities on BB. These costs may well trump the "deal" they're proposing they're getting on the site on Eola. Lets assume there are $20M total liabilities. Add that to the Eola site costs and guess what... its

3/17 is a week away. I think its prudent that the SB cancel the meeting tomorrow and reschedule until those costs are known.

Folks, They're spending our money like drunken monkeys and we continue to let it go on. Lawsuit or not they need to be stopped. I personally feel if they had been up front with the facts and open to respectful discussion there would be no suit.

T.B. -
On what grounds could a complaint be filed until the Board announced its next moves? Please keep in mind that even though the BB property was abandoned by the Board awhile ago (with associated legal fees and damages owed by the district yet to be determined) all of the developments of the site choice and subsequent boundaries have all been very recent - January to present. As the NSFOC group stated, the option of a law suit was not taken likely, so as any responsible group would do, they did their homework before deciding to move forward.

Also, just to clarify, I don't think the reason for the lawsuit is because of travel times, splitting schools, etc. I said I think that some people are misconstruing those issues/concerns as personal attacks on WV. It is my hope that they do not, as people negatively affected - by and large - have nothing against WV, it's students, its teachers, etc.

The reason for the lawsuit is very clear. People feel disenfranchised and they have a constitutional right, and avenue to ask for redress.

Although we may disagree on the motives for those supporting the complaint, I want to thank you for engaging in dialogue without resorting to name calling. It's refreshing. Thank you.

Simple answer. There will be space for at least another 1,000, if not 2,000 students at Naperville North and Central in the next three to five years. Save your $126 million. Have a lottery for students in 204 to go to these schools during the peak in enrollment.

You might also be able to forgo another tax increase. The only saving grace of the 203 Overtaxation is that 204 taxes are more.

Reading this blog, you could have people bid for this option. Then again, maybe 203 schools are not better than 204.

>Please, stop this and show your kids what a true adult looks and acts like.

True adults have principles and stick to those principals, they don't succumb to group think or say one thing and then do another. When true adults see a wrong, they try to make it right.

The thousands of people who back this suit have rights, don't they? Are you trying to deny them their rights?

http://www.nsfoc.org/pdf/complaint.pdf

True adults would not insult the intelligence of another adult. I just looked at the pictures on the NSFOC website. Those pictures are far from where the school will be built. Posting those pictures is as bad as the attack ads we have to endure until November. They make it seem like the building will be built right on the land. It is not!!!!

Please, if you want credibility for your fight don't put pictures like that up on your website.

Furthermore, take a look around you, I bet you have a radio, cell or power tower near your neighborhood. My kids ES and MS have power lines very close to them. Should we knock down those schools and rebuild somwhere else. And yes the power lines were there before the school.

Scott,
I agree. Bring this back to the voters but wait a bit until the environmental issues are explored and also until we know what its going to cost US to get out of the BB property. The operating referrendum costs will also be known as well as updated population statistics.

I supported the decision of the voters in 06 when we all voted for the property and boundaries. Now that its changed and they're buying property they said they would not due to environmental issues we need to ask the district.

We can then live with the decision.

Scott.
Correct it needs to be put to a community vote again with all the facts: the cost to get out of the BB deal, the environmental testing and issues, the updated population figures as well as the operating costs.

Put all of the facts in front of our community and let us decide.

I doubt they will though since they give us select data piece meal over time in order to prevent the community from seeing all the facts as a package.

To all of the WE and TG bashers I'd suggest you take a field trip to one of the next elementary school events and see for yourself the racial and ethnic diversity. You may actually be amazed that these are very diverse communities. Time to stop with petty insults and to start focusing on the issues.

To Diversity Lesson who wrote: "To all the WE and TG bashers I'd suggest you take a field trip to one of the next elementary school events and see for yourself the racial and ethnic diversity. You may actually be amazed that these are very diverse communities. Time to stop with petty insults and to start focusing on the issues."

Couldn't have said it better. I have not heard one person from TG or WE bash WVHS. Our communities are made up of many people from different cultures. Our children are certainly not "monsters" as someone wrote on another Sun blog.

Stop the hatred. If you would like to debate the merits of the NSFOC complaint, go ahead, but attacking people should stop.

So what happens if NSFOC wins this lawsuit and then the SB decides, since they have to pay more for BB, that they will make MVHS smaller, which means they will have to send more students to Waubonsie and they end up sending TG and WE there anyway, just out of spite?

The SB has the right to change boundaries, and it doesn't require public referendum approval. Maybe that's not right, but it is the law.

In response to anonymous who felt that Kathryn Birkett should go and is no longer welcome in the community.Kathryn Birkett is the reason Neuqua Valley is the high school it is today.As impressive as the physical building is,it is her heart and soul that created the incredible spirit of N.V.I have never seen a principal be more proud of each and every student in her school.She was at every athletic and academic program and Neuqua has never had a better cheerleader and advocate for her students.I have no doubt that her pride now extends to the entire district.Lets remember her commitment and contribution to district 204.She created the school that you're all fighting over!!!

Hi, Big Picture Issues.

I would really, really like to agree with you when you say that the people "negatively" affected by this decision have nothing against WV and its students and teachers.

But I just cannot buy it. If that were the case, then why does the lawsuit state that the ONLY location acceptable to this group is BB? I can only surmise because that location gives them what they want. It isn't about disenfranchisement or concern with the Board. They just want their own way. And that's not right.

You also mention your desire to increase the respect and civility surrounding this debate. I agree. But the actions of the nsfoc crowd show that this group has no respect for their neighbors. They just want what they want, period. Everyone else? Too bad.

That's not displaying respect for anyone: For the board members, for their neighbors, for the community at large. Yet you demand respect for them. Why?

I suggest everyone go to the NSFOC website to get a real taste of the lunatic fringe group they are. They have posted pictures they are representing as the Eola Metea property, yet they are FAR away from the actual parcel, purposefully spun to think the school will be right under the friggin' power lines.

Even sadder than the above is they have now shamed our entire community by the assine actions of ~150 "supporters".

They have no case, and think they are "entitled" to sue because they have the money to do it.

Hello Judge, NSFOC is all about the boundaries.

Let's just simple this down a bit...A busload of children is driving home from a field trip. The driver (SB) stands up and says, "Where would you like to go for lunch?" The entire bus (204 taxpayers) begins chanting McDonalds; then two boys (NSFOC) stand up and say, "No, we want Burger King and IF we don't go to Burger King we'll stop this bus and no one on it will eat."

So you wonder why we are all annoyed and have succumbed to calling those sueing the school board spoiled brats. Don't you see how this perception is obvious! There are upward of 150 subdivisions in Dist. 204. The needs of less than five subdivisions are surely important but NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE OTHER 145 PLUS, who want this school built!

Those two boys who stood up on the school bus needed to learn the art of compromise....AND SO DO YOU!!!!

Is there a way to legally annex the Tallgrass subdivision from our distict? What a pleasant thought that would be.

From another paper this morning....A refreshing perspective from someone who has been associated in the press with NSFOC... as opposed to the ugly name calling that many people have resorted to:

(I just wanted to make one final comment in that I have received a great amount of feedback critical of Ms. Hirsch Blackman's lack of objectivity.

It is important to understand that Ms. Hirsch Blackman is in fact a columinist (not a reporter) and as such she has every right to express her opinions in her column. While I may not agree with her perspective, and felt compelled to respond on the blog because I think she took liberties in regards to certain facts (some which were specifically about me), I respect the fact that there are many people who have an opinion on this matter that may differ from my own (including Ms. Hirsch Blackman). This is one of the great things about our Country and I hope that as the dialogue continues, we can all avoid the stereotyping and hateful comments about each other and try to stick to the merits of everyone's respective opinions. I believe if the SB and Admin had done a better job communicating openly and honestly and treating all of our communites with equal respect, we may never have been here in the first place. Perhaps this is the first place that many of us can come come to a common agreement on.

Todd Andrews)

I like the bus example above, however I am not sure that it is the same as what stands before us. Although a majority of the District may be happy with the results being now being presented by the SB, I doubt many are satisfied by the process (or the fairness of throwing a couple of areas to the wolves to accomplish the end game that may satisfy the self interests of everyone else at the expense of a minority that was promised certain things which resulted in overturning the defeat of the first referendum).

The time between the announcement of choosing the EOLA site and the approval of this site (which was previously excluded by the Board as being unsafe) was less than 204 HOURS! Is that troubling in its own right...I believe it is.

Wake Up said it all!!!!!!!!!

Wow...look what you have created Dr. D. Again, welcome to Naperville (I am sure the folks down South are really missing you).

Perhaps with a little more respect to the entire community we would be in a much better place. The strategy of pitting neigborhood against neighborhood has certainly paid off (Kudos and well done!). I am already spending the reward for Bin Laden in that I have narrowed the search down to WE and TG (and am hot on his tail).

I just hope that I do not get distracted on creating http://www.nsdocfraudisafraud.com (should be up shortly).

Thanks again (and MM and others...you should have just told us that you were kidding about the AMES site being certain to harm our children 2 years ago so we could have gone along and avoided this whole mess).

Significantly less than 204 hours of time between presenting the change to the "certainly" dangerous AMES site and passing it in a vote...again kudos and well done.

As Dr. D would say...Goodnight.

Penelope said
"But with the venom I am witnessing (absolute hatred toward certain sections of the district), I absolutely would not put my child in this situation. How would they be treated at WVHS by other students (and even teachers?) I will certainly explore other options - I want a positive situation for my child."

Rest assured, Penelope, your children will be treated with respect and kindness. But at the same time consider this: The "hatred" toward certain areas of our district based largely on stereotype and prejudice is akin to the "hatred" felt by many of our students based also on sterotype and prejudice. Many of our student's have felt the sting that is making you so uncomfortable now. Like I said previously, this is a wonderful opportunity to open up communication with our students and increase their understanding of the feelings, perceptions and actions on both sides. I'm actually more hopeful that it will be the students that will pave the way toward the healing process.

From anon 9:34 "I doubt many are satisfied by the process (or the fairness of throwing a couple of areas to the wolves to accomplish the end game that may satisfy the self interests of everyone else at the expense of a minority that was promised certain things which resulted in overturning the defeat of the first referendum)."

So TG and WE were "Thrown to the wolves"? What does that mean? Who should have been "thrown to the wolves" in your place? The boundaries are logical, your closest to WV. I think your choice of language says a lot.

Can someone refresh my memory? Which school did the WE folks believe should take their place at WV? My friend's child attends Springbook (which stays NV under the current plan) and she told me that the WE group felt that Springbrook should attend WV instead of them. Is this true?

I'm not very excited at the prospect of having the children of these lunatics attend school with my children.

Birkett, Crouse and company are the reason the district was misled into voting on a referendum based on a site and boundaries.

The district should never have done that. They should have decided on the boundaries and site AFTER and IF a referendum passed. Oh wait, we did that in 2005 and the referendum failed.

So the district came back and bought the yes vote in 2006.
These people have no shame.

NSFOC may not win their case but that doesn't make what they are saying any less true.

Bait and switch for sure.

>Simple answer. There will be space for at least another 1,000, >if not 2,000 students at Naperville North and Central in the >next three to five years. Save your $126 million. Have a lottery >for students in 204 to go to these schools during the peak in >enrollment.

Oswego has a bunch of empty schools, they overbuilt just like district 204 is about to do.