D204 land deal for 3rd HS is off

Metea Valley Land.......HE GONE!

Actually the SD only really needs about 40 acres to build this HS. Once you start cutting out all the fat and excess and start using the land efficiently and effectively there is no way anyone can justify 80 acres. Which raises the point of why were we buying 87 if we only needed 80, but now they say we need 50.

30 acres times the $$/acre wanted by BB adds up to some serious money. Where is the fiscal responsibility or is the SB just shopping their wish list?

Is there any number that this SB will consistently stand behind? Why does everything continue to move and shift?

My take is the SB is PO'd and have their heels dug in over BB so don't expect much discussion or action there. One option would be for them to only go for 15 acres of the BB parcel and add it to the 25 they already own and get moving. They sure haven't told us anything about how they intend to get out of the mess they locked us into with those 25 acres either... or has everyone forgotten about that?

That leaves them with these options:
- Initiate merger talks with SD 203.
- Build some minor additions to NV and WV.
- File an eminent domain lawsuit against Midwest Gen.
- Start getting serious with discussions with MACOM about their parcel.
- Look at other available parcels. There are several parcels in the area of the Midwest Gen site alone. Some are within the boundaries of the district, some are not. The ones outside could still be used... the only significant difference would be that the SB would have to negotiate totally in good faith because their eminent domain power isn't any good outside the district.

I think this is a sad reflection of what has transpired in our district recently. We collectively voted that a third high school would make all of our children's educational experiences better, yet we have made it darn near impossible for our school board and administrators to proceed with any/all decisions regarding the building of this high school. We made the boundary discussions over Brach-Brodie nasty and long; the court system made it financially impossible to buy BB; and now a lawsuit has again made such a big deal about the environmental issues that no one wants to sell to us (probably for fear we'll sue them too!). We don't deserve a new high school; we deserve classes in trailers and split shifts. We have literally tied the hands of the people who were trying to make our referendum vote a reality.
The ones that have lost the most are the children. No doubt about it. Broch Brodie is not the answer. The land is too expensive and the intersection is unsafe. And so your lawsuit has done nothing but bring down this community; leave our children with overcrowded schools; and tarnish the reputation for a long time to come of Tall Grass and White Eagle, two nice neighborhoods. And today, after all this ugliness, we're no further along than we were 2 years ago. The NSFOC owes the rest of 204 and all of the children of this district a sincere apology.

Can you see the future? A smaller Matea HS. WE kids at WVHS and TG at NVHS. The rest of the boundaries stay the same.

That might really tick off that one WE plantiff but will be outvoted by the other 8.

I never understood the unrealistic goal of opening the high school in 2009, especially since the district has yet to acquire land. I hope now the first thing the school board does is say they're pushing back the opening to fall 2010. This whole process has seemed unneccessarily rushed. As far as where to build the high school, I liked the point made by the person who said if they build it on 50 acres of the church property at Eola, why did we need 87 acres at Eola or 80 acres of BB in the first place? That creates an impossible situation for the school board, because it would force them to renig on their promises made to residents that the schools would all be equal in terms of facilities. Eola is out, in my opinion. And you can bet they'll never buy the Macom property and let TG go to the new high school after all this. So I think the only logical solution is to bite the bullet, pay the extra money and buy BB, if they haven't already burned those bridges. That would resolve the lawsuits by the Brach and Brodie trusts, and at least keep some of the promises made to voters who rejected the first referendum and approved the second only after they were allowed to participate in the boundary process. This last selection of Eola shut people out of the boundaries discussion, and look what happened. They got sued, and now they can't get the land they wanted.

Way back when SD 204 was created the SD inherited a plot of land. This plot had been previously purchased as a site for a new high school in District 107, which was dissolved when SD204 was created. The site had already been bought and paid for and it was located in the area of Modaff and 87th St.

Does anyone remember what happened to this piece of land?

Eola is definately out. The rumor mill of buying the other part of the church's land is silly. While the contamination issue is gone, the big issue, which isn't going away, are the 2 x 36" and 1 x 20" high pressure pipes. The other issues of 9 ES areas crossing RR tracks (v. 4 at BB) and the 13% higher transportation miles / cost isn't going away either.

Even another site closer to the geographic center of the district still exposes the SD to at least 2 lawsuits, which could carry some significant costs. Heck, just our legal bills would probably run in the millions.

Since the referendum specifically stated a comprehensive 3rd HS, we couldn't really use the funds elsewhere either, and I think we all know what chances the next referendum has.

The responsible thing to do is to buy BB, and not piss another dollar of legal fees away. Swallow your ego Mark, it's getting us in trouble. Do what's right for all of us.

I too never understood the unrealistic deadline of opening in fall of 2009. There have been unforseen delays in this whole process to date, therefore the opening date should be delayed as well.

However, can we please stop bashing neighborhoods? I have communicated by email to the school board on several occasions with questions. I have also asked for their leadership in our community to bring us back together while expressing my support to their decisions. Guess what, I live in Tall Grass and I attended District 203.

As in everything, there are good people and bad people, generous and selfish, kind and unkind. No one can catagorize an entire street, neighborhood, school, town, city or country as evil. There will always be exceptions to any rule. Just as you would not wish to be labeled as something you are not, please reply in kind.

I only wish our school board some time to endeavor to find the best solution for all of our children in district 204. Does that mean a smaller school with less facilities? Or another location? Or adding on to the existing two schools? I do not know, but I do know I will continue to communicate with our school board by email to find out the details of their next proposal.

You're absolutely right, Slow Down. 2009 has got to be out of the picture! Hey guess what? We just saved the District $10M in expedited costs. Honestly, they need to go back, hire an independent consultant to come in and evaluate the situation. Right now, there is no confidence in the SB or Dr. D. Let someone else (a paid professional) come in and tell our inept SB what they should do.

When and IF this 3rd HS is ever built, I definitely think the name/mascot should be changed. Remember the name Metea is named after an Indian chief that died from alcohol poisoning. Ironic, huh (get it, alcohol poisoning - envirnomental poisoning?).

Eva, thanks for the comment, but I must disagree with you about hiring a consultant. This is an issue that the school board needs to involve the community in resolving, not outsiders. It's really going to take some strong leadership to try to pull the community back together. I think BB has the best chance of being mutually agreeable to as many people as possible and it's what was promised before the referendum. We don't need a consultant to tell us that the right thing to do now is to buy the rest of BB and get on with building the high school so it can open by 2010.

Anonymous on April 10, 2008 6:40 PM

Maybe you need to go back and reread your notes. The School Board and ONLY the School Board got us into this mess in the first place. Look at Mark Metzger's condemnation Lawsuit that really got us rolling in the wrong direction. If he didn't start down this destructive path we would already be breaking ground on BB.

Now they have multiple lawsuits which tells you that the voters are not happy on how this was handled. Return to what you marketed the voters to get your "YES" vote and put everything back the way it was. The school board needs to quit acting like a pre-schooler with a temper tantrum and grow up and start making good on there promise.

As far as the school board says that all options are now on the table, including the building of a smaller version of the high school on the remaining 50 acres.

Hello Daeschner! We own 25 acres at BB already purchase another 25 at BB and your probably still saving money.

Overcrowding at the HS level is a myth when factoring in the use of COD Frontier. HS Enrollment peaks in 2011 and then begins to decline. NVHS peaks in 2010 and then declines.
We have more than 1000 empty seats at the elementary school level (the 850 classroom seats at Peterson are still half empty).
Elementary school enrollment declinded the last 2 years in a row for a 284 student decline.

Get some portable classrooms for the middle school level until the bubble of students passes, keep WVHS freshman campus as it is and go back to educating students.

The district needs to stop wasting our money on attorneys and half empty schools.

Who in their right mind would enter into a business transaction with D204 now? The SB and Dr. Daeschner has divided our community and cannot be trusted. The MACOM property has even more owners than the EOLA property, which will make negotiations nearly impossible, given the SB track record. The only choices I see feasible at this point is to either by BB (which is what the people of D204 voted for in the first place) or expand the exisiting high schools (note, I do not live in WE or TG). Well, there may be one more option; vote the existing school board memebers off and start fresh. Then maybe the new SB can replace Dr. Daeschner with someone who unites, not divides the community.

To Time to slow down on April 10, 2008 6:53 PM and
204 parent on April 10, 2008 7:28 PM--

I remember during the 06 referendum discussions the SB saying that NV and WV would have to go to split shifts in the fall of 09 if a 3rd HS was not open by then. 2009 was when the beginning of the enrollment bubble was suppose to hit, by the SB's estimates. That explains the rush.

Plus, the SB did want to buy less than 80 acres at BB, but the BB trusts would not sell less. They told the SB if they wanted the land, they had to buy all of it or none.

Hope this helps clarify things.

A big THANK YOU to the thousands of supporters and contributors to WWW.NSFOC.ORG and for standing up to the district and committing the time and energy to fight for what many of us know is right.

I neither gave money or attended any meetings but I did register on the website and I salute you!

The whole referendum was a lie.
Costs up.
Enrollment down.

Dollars and sense, So, does this mean that after they threatened residents with split shifts to get them to approve the referendum and the voters approved the referendum, students will have split shifts anyway because there's no way they're going to sort out this mess in time to open the school by 2009? Or, does it mean that they won't have split shifts, which will prove that it was merely a threat to get people to vote for the referendum all along? Yes, NV and WV may be crowded but it's manageable, the bubble will pass. Is it true that the third high school will only really be needed for three years, and not opening it in time for '09-10 eliminates one of those years?

Thanks NSFOC you just made my decision a little easier as to whether or not to take a relo. I was hoping to stay here but it's time to move out of here. The last thing I want for my kids is anyone of the scenarios should we not get the 3rd HS. I am not willing to play russian roulette with my kids education.

From what I've seen in this community is a SB that has worked their pants off only to be slapped with law suits. At least 2 years ago when others weren't happy with the final boundaries they left unhappy and left it at that. But unfortunately our neighbors to the south feel they are more entitled to everything. Well good luck with your split shifts and mobiles. Hope a tornado doesn't hit midday and suck up a mobile. Now I have to laugh thinking how those who despise WV will now have to sit in mobiles to get an education. If that's not justice. Unfortunatley it's their kids who are suffering the consequences.

to eve, eve I wholeheartly agree with you. I am a tall grass resident and have been here almost 10 years, I am not party to any lawsuit but someone how it seems people have decided those who live here are horrible people and our children should not be allowed at this school or that school . It saddens me to think this is what the community has become. A lot of things have been said on these blogs , some polite others downright scary. Right now there is a very large majority angry and I feel the only way we can come together is to have indepentent consultants come in No more this subdivision against that subdivision, no bias ,just what is the best for this school district. I hope more people would back an idea like this, if all the people in the ipsd are truly wanting what is best for all the kids of ipsd I beleive this may be the only way to stop the splitting of this community. heres hoping for a better future........

Time to slow down,
You're right we don't need a paid consultant to come in and tell us to buy BB. There's no doubt we should just buy BB however, I have a hard time believing that our SB will actually recognize that. Maybe at this time they need an outside person guiding them as it's pretty clear they can't make good decisions.

The strategy and tactics to secure Eola were flawed and wrong. Tomorrow is a new day. Let’s hope that the board and admin take some time to reflect and realize that this is a great community. We all want the best for our kids and if we're involved will support what needs to be done. Will the leaders emerge with transparency and encourage involvement in the selection of the site or will they go back into executive session and decide the next steps?

I am hoping for a change. If there was one perhaps (it’s a stretch) the community could come together. If there is no change then the only way I see healing occurring is a change in leadership.

My fear is that the pride and arrogance of Metzger etal will prohibit them from dealing with landlords they've jerked around for the last 2 yrs. The economy is in our favor and if the leaders can put their egos aside and work on behalf of the kids we may have a chance.

Nobody is pounding down the BB doors to buy our acres so I suspect the board can negotiate a fair (less than the jury decision) price for the rest of BB. Since that is what we all were told would be done with the referendum $$ the community should help pressure BB.

We also need to remember that Linda Holmes was helping the district during the condemnation and quick take legislation (read the articles in archive and she was heralded as a great advocate). Her reward was the SB walked away from the site she worked with them to acquire. When she tries to get environmental data for her constituents she's ridiculed and "investigated" by the same characters who used her for BB. She has done no wrong and her treatment is shameful.

Daschner's email to us yesterday was interesting... We all DO have pride in our district and its two existing high schools. What we've not been proud of is how he and the board have been conducting our business. Dr Dashner, if you think we've lost pride in our schools you are very wrong. It’s the admin who need a little tutoring on how to work with people.

I'm hoping for a change, tomorrow is a new day... carpe diem.

Does anyone know if the nsfocfraud.com site is down? The last update is from 03/29/08 and tomorrow is already 04/11/08. I was just wondering as there has been a lot of news releases during the last week and a half and it seems a bit odd that this would not be up to date.

Eva...if the school board hires the consultant and the consultant comes back and says Eola, the entitled nine will throw another hissy fit. I am sure the entitled nine have a list of consultants they would like the school district to hire but everyone of the consultants would live in Tall Grass.

I am yet to see anywhere why the entitled nine feel the SB has an agenda against Tall Grass. The boundary issue is demographics and geography.

No one has explained yet why the entire school district should buy the most expensive piece of property left within the district just so the entitled nine feel it is best for everyone.

There are plenty of properties left on the north side of the district that will cost the district about half the cost of the BB property. Each of those locations will save all of us a great deal of money. Even if the district found one with pristine soil and never been touched by human hands, the entitled nine would still demand that the entire district over pay for the BB land so they can get the new high school.

To Tar..I did not single out Tall Grass...just your select neighbors that have put their selfish needs before the entire district.

Looks like we finally found someone in the community that is thinking rationally and unfortunately it is Midwest Generation. Maybe this should be a wake up call for the SB and even NSFOC that it is time to stop the fighting be totally honest with each others and get to the real issue. We really don't need another high school in the district. In 15 years it will not be at peak capacity along with the other two schools. Both WVHS and NVHS will in desperate need of repairs and will be fighting for very limited resources that are going to operating all three schools, when only two were needed. Terms such as deferred maintenance will be the norm, cuts in programs and increase teacher/student ratios will be flying around.

The SB needs to take a hard look and begin a 20-25 year master plan for the two existing high schools that is going to project out what it will cost to perform routine maintenance and replacement of HVAC, Electrical, roofs, windows, carpets, etc. at these schools, in addition to the costs of running a third high school. This doesn't even include all the elementary schools in the district that will need these same repairs. What will start happening, because it has happened elsewhere, for example Evanston, Arlington Heights, and other school districts close to the city is that they have to start closing schools or increasing taxes through more referendum's and false promises.

This SB needs to look at a plan for all of this and then go back out for a new referendum that incorporates a project for additions to the existing schools and possibly a O&M fund increase to start saving for the days that will be here soon. This will be wiser then spending any more money on lawyers, undesirable property, and a high school we really don't need.

This is the only true fair way to move forward, especially since the predicted growth is not materializing as planned because of this little thing called a Recession.

I did not support the 3rd HS and still think it is not needed. People didn't agree with me in 2006, but with the virtual stoppage in home construction more see the light.

Expand NV & WV. Bring in some portables. Come on people, $130,000,000 is a lot of money!

Even Ricky Bobby knows you don't build a high school on a toxic waste dump. Ricky is glad to see that the Midwest boys feel the same way.

That land would be perfect for the Ricky Bobby Nascar Race Track! You all come up and see me when it opens.

Shake & Bake!

RB

The first paragraph of Dash's letter yesterday sounded like a resignation - hopefully he will realize what a pathetic job he has done here, and leave gracefully. Metzger also needs to realize he played a major role and needs to resign. When corporate leaders mess up like this, that's what happens. Heads roll. A change in leadership at the SB and Admin levels is required for us to get past this. With those 2 resignations, we can start to move past.

Well the d204 saga continues.

Some of the most spoiled of our community stomped, cried, and called for an adult in state government to do their bidding, and finally got their way with District 204 School Board, albeit through the back door, as the Midwest Generation Company today succumbed to the pressure-cooker that is school district 204 politics, declaring they wont sell their land to D204

more at ...

www.naperville-tv.com

Will somebody at the next SB meeting please make a motion to remove Metzger and at least restart the process at this good break in the action. It is time for some new leadership.

After all these many, many months I'm no longer sure what strengths Metzger actually has. He sure does not seem to be using any of them for either his own advantage or the SD. Everybody else's lawyers have completely boxed him in and he is totally clueless. There is no plan, heck there is no planning. Everything he has done for the last six months has been reactionary. Everybody else is jerking his chain. He is no longer in control of anything.

It is time for someone else to step up and lead, really lead, our SD into the next chapter of its history. We desperately need someone who has a vision and who can articulate that vision to the community and unite everyone once again. There are serious wounds in this community that need to be healed and they can not be neglected or ignored while all of the uncertainties surrounding this project continue to shift and change on a daily basis. Right now the healing that needs to begin is far more important than a dirt pile or a stack of bricks. And if the SB doesn't understand that, then they have no business being responsible for our children's education.

Absolutely shocking how the NSFOC bloggers all say how is the SB going to get us out of this mess - my god people - you (yes TG and WE) are the reasons we are in this mess. Without a doubt, the schools are overcrowded and we all know the Eola land is as safe as any in our district. Driving around today I saw there are high tension wires everywhere - rr tracks everywhere - and yes I bet there's spilt anti-freeze in a lot of places as well. NSFOC - you are a disgrace,

carpe diem...you don't see a connection between the timing of Linda Holme's admitted conversation with the Midwest Gen people and when Vickers said the SB started feeling that Midwest Gen was getting nervous?

To Time to slow down on April 10, 2008 8:19 PM--

The answers to your questions depends on whose enrollment projection data you're looking at, and there's a couple different ones out there. It doesn't look like Metea will be opening by fall of '09 now, and the SB insisted back in 06 that split shifts would be necessary at NV and WV by 09 if there was not a 3rd HS, so we'll have to wait and see if that materializes. Whether or not a 3rd high school was needed to handle a bubble and how long that bubble would last has been bantered around since the push for the 06 referendum and, again, depends on whose stats you're using. Your guess is as good as mine.

To anonymous who is looking at taking a relo package, I wish you luck. You will be very hard pressed to find a better community or school district whereever you may move to. What makes this SD so good is the parental involvement and caring, professional teachers - not the SB. The thousands of parents all over the district who are involved with NSFOC understand this notion and do not want a HS on a marginal site (fortunately Midwest Generation believes that also) or have their vote disregarded. Every problem we are now facing is of the SB's making.

This SB is willing to spend $10M on expidite fees for the new school - had they stuck to their word originally and just paid the extra for BB the cost would be pretty much the same. $28M BB or $17M Eola + $10M expidite = $27M. Please keep in mind $3M from BB was original damages so that goes to both sites. BB does not come with a wet land problem, 40 years of pollution, $1M more in transporation costs annually, or a divided community. Again, good luck when you relocate and some good advice might be to look very carefully at the school district in your new home and try not to be so gullible this time. The problems in D204 are derived from 7 people that cannot keep their word.

To Anonymous 11:01 p.m. I, as much as I fault the D204 leadership for creating the current situation, I think it is premature to talk about removal of SB president or supt. That is, of course, provided the current leadership tries to reach out to the 204 community and tries to heal the divisiveness they have created. I think stubbornness caused this situation: hardball tactics with BB owners and TG homeowners proved disastrous, and we've seen an unwillingness to give any sort of serious consideration to the Macom proposal, not that I think that would be the best solution anyway. Truly I think the best course of action I would like to see from this point forward is for the leadership to humbly accept that they've been arrogant and stubborn, and to ask for the community's forgiveness and help in determining the best solution. If you ask me, the location that's best going to heal the divisiveness is BB, that's what was sold to the voters. Stick with the boundaries that were approved with the input from residents. It's time to start seriously talking about finding a way to pay the additional costs for the BB land. Anything else just seems to dig a deeper hole that ultimately will result in higher costs anyway.

Boy, did the school board ever underestimate NSFOC. They didn't see this coming, just like they didn't expect the verdict of the land price in the BB condemnation. How is this the fault of a group of residents who took action because they felt shut out of the process? NSFOC didn't have anything to do with the BB verdict. The Eola site has never made sense, it was only plan B all along. It's the school board that doesn't know what it's doing, going back to the first failed referendum. Faulty enrollment projections were used to sell the need for a third HS, and all other possible ways of dealing with the temporary overcrowding at the two existing high schools were rejected. So to get the referendum passed promises were made about the location of the third HS and what the boundaries would be. All the people who voted for that referendum are at fault, for not anticipating that the question of raising taxes to pay for construction never should have been put to voters until AFTER land had been acquired. We all know the rest of the story. Who's to blame? Everyone who put their trust in the school board.

I am ashamed how a small group is able to put their individual needs ahead of the needs of the whole district. Those of you that don't think our schools are crowded, try walking the hallways during passing period at either of the two high schools, its insane. Even with the freshman centers, there are way to many kids. Those of you who keep saying that high school students can fit into elementary buildings, you are gravely mistaken! Those are built to house smaller children, the hallways are narrower and classrooms are smaller, high school kids can't physically work in those buildings. I hope the school board decides NOT to build a third high school and decides to put portable class rooms all over the district. What a great selling poing that will be for realtors. I can just see it now the Taj Mahal with mobile classrooms in front of it. Won't those South Siders just love that. "Hey my kid gets to stay at Neuqua but only goes in the actual building for lunch and P.E., the rest of the day they are in a mobile class room, hey but we are still wildcats"! I have lived an taught in this district for over 25 years. I have always believed that the district was one of the best in the state until today. I am appalled how the district has been divided. I am extremely proud my child is graduating from W.V. this year and will not have to deal with the mess that the small group of individuals has left for the rest of the districts children.

I am a teacher at the high school level for District 204 and I am sickened by the events that have transpired. NSFOC, you are a disgrace. Every day I hear STUDENTS say that the district should just let your kids go to Neuqua so you will shut up and the school can get built. They know your real reasons are that you don't want your kids to go to school in a slightly older building with "black people." Again, STUDENTS are well aware of this--not only is it painfully obvious, enough of your members have admitted this "off the record." Now they see that your lies, bullying, and temper tantrums have caused a company to back out of a business deal, so as to avoid years of lawsuits from you if you don't get your way. Sadly, everyone knows you don't need the truth on your side...you have an ambulance chaser and and too much time on your hands to figure out how you can slander people and tie this up in court. Midwest was smart to back out, who would want to deal with you. I am not alone as a teacher who is planning to leave the district. My only complaint with the school board is that they have not done enough to throw this back in your faces and make the public well aware that you are simply RACIST. Good job NSFOC, you are for a FACT causing GOOD teachers to leave the district, suing and taking money away from the schools our children attend, and you have now stopped the construction of a new high school which would alleviate massive overcrowding issues with your LIES. Pretty ironic that CPS is trying to deal with children getting KILLED on their way to school, and you are whining about your kids possibly attending an older building. You would shut up tomorrow if you could go to Neuqua, meaning you DON'T care about the environmental and other lies you are spreading. I care about teaching kids and I feel I need to step out of this district to show that I don't approve of what the kids in our district are learning from this mess.

Macom cost less then BB.
Macom cost less then BB.
Macom cost less then BB.

The boundaries are similar to BB.
The boundaries are similar to BB.
The Boundaries are similar to BB.

The reason I have to say this three times is because we need three groups to realize this. NSFOC, Brookdale and the SB.

Then, we have a school. Then, we have no more crowding. Then, we are done with the problem.

About these comments against NSFOC -----

C'mon, if the property were safe, the SB and Midwest Gen would have ignored NSFOC. Bottom line is there are "unanswered questions" with 100s of dangers. It's just LESS safe then other properties, but "how" unsafe is what's in question.

Leave NSFOC alone. Leave TG and WE alone. This is America, people have a right to speak out. Argue with the facts, not people.

The only element of this district tearing it apart are the SB and Brookdale group that tries to 'divide' the district when someone in TG or WE disagrees with them.

History tells the success of TG:
1) First ref 2006: TG desires to stay at NVHS: response, "no" you go to Metea: Tall Grass says "OK" and votes overwhelmingly "Yes" for the new school.
2) Can't buy the BB land, TG desires to stay at NVHS: response "no" you go to 6.5 miles away to Waubansie, even know you overwhelmingly helped us pass the new school.
3) During both processes TG takes a beating; sb members say negative things about the community. Other neighborhoods speak negatively "fry babies" about the community. Threats to the TG community.

I'm pretty damn proud of TG and I'd put the subdivision up as the #1 subdivision in Naperville.

It does not give up. It supports education. It has one of the finest grade schools.

Take a step back. Tall Grass is a fantastic community. In fact, it's had the biggest 204 supporters around. It's just tired of being the punching bag of the district.

Congrats to NSFOC.

I you really are sincere about what's best for the children in SD 204 (and not just about securing your spot in NVHS), the first thing you can do this morning is to withdraw your lawsuit.

We own 25 acres on Brach Brodie. Let's build the 7th middle school there which is why we bought that land in the first place. This will help with our overcrowding on the MS level. When it is no longer needed then Still MS gets sold and turned over to a commercial site which was the intention of that location in the first place.
WVHS is land locked with no room for expansion it is already a maze from the numerous additions that it already has. Also no room for trailers there.
NVHS has plenty of room for an addition let's expand that school. Deal with the fact that it will be a mega-size school, no one wants to leave, so make it bigger so that they can all stay.
I do not agree with buying BB with the cost the court has set. Face it the BB heirs will not take less then the price that has been established. Nor do I agree with building an inferior HS on less acres.

To the School Board, please make sure the next site sends Tall Grass and White Eagle to WVHS. Since their focus was on the quality of the land, they won't mind at all. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

By Anonymous on April 10, 2008 9:42 PM
Eva...if the school board hires the consultant and the consultant comes back and says Eola, the entitled nine will throw another hissy fit. I am sure the entitled nine have a list of consultants they would like the school district to hire but everyone of the consultants would live in Tall Grass.

I am yet to see anywhere why the entitled nine feel the SB has an agenda against Tall Grass. The boundary issue is demographics and geography.

No one has explained yet why the entire school district should buy the most expensive piece of property left within the district just so the entitled nine feel it is best for everyone.

There are plenty of properties left on the north side of the district that will cost the district about half the cost of the BB property. Each of those locations will save all of us a great deal of money. Even if the district found one with pristine soil and never been touched by human hands, the entitled nine would still demand that the entire district over pay for the BB land so they can get the new high school.

To Tar..I did not single out Tall Grass...just your select neighbors that have put their selfish needs before the entire district.
................................................................
See the signs? God doesn't send any more obvious signs than what he has been showing the SB supporter, or should I be saying Hate mongers since you all like lables so much. It's time to back the right causes. Don't cry because your head just slipped below water. I saw the lord reach his hand out to pull you up and you just called him names and drowned. You know in your heart that the things you are saying is just flat wrong. Stand for something or fall for anything. The SB is playing you for a fool and you are right there. Pull back and take a deep breath. I know some of the people who are in the NSFOC and I know that some of them are your neighbors too. You and the others that are spreding hatred should look a little closer and see that you are acting way more entitled than the NSFOC who are actually standing for something.

Anon at 11:01, pot shouldn't call the kettle black. Quite obvious you don't have the strength to go to the next board meeting and as you say "make a motion to remove Metzger". Why does someone have to do the work for you. If you feel that strongly about removing him why don't you do it. If your not willing to fix the problem don't complain. Everyone wants to remove the SB but nobody wants to step up and do their jobs. Why, because you couldn't handle the heat that you yourself are giving this SB.

Amazing how everything was fine until the boundaries were laid out.

By Snakes in the Tall Grass on April 10, 2008 10:36 PM
Well the d204 saga continues.

Some of the most spoiled of our community stomped, cried, and called for an adult in state government to do their bidding, and finally got their way with District 204 School Board, albeit through the back door, as the Midwest Generation Company today succumbed to the pressure-cooker that is school district 204 politics, declaring they wont sell their land to D204

more at ...

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I can see by your title and comments that you're upset because someone else was getting "the business" through the back door. You should be used to it given you support a SB that practices this regularly. Ironic?

By Anonymous on April 10, 2008 11:01 PM
Absolutely shocking how the NSFOC bloggers all say how is the SB going to get us out of this mess - my god people - you (yes TG and WE) are the reasons we are in this mess. Without a doubt, the schools are overcrowded and we all know the Eola land is as safe as any in our district. Driving around today I saw there are high tension wires everywhere - rr tracks everywhere - and yes I bet there's spilt anti-freeze in a lot of places as well. NSFOC - you are a disgrace,

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Are you blind or just dumb? I don't mean to pick on you as I see you are disabled but inflamitory comments like yours continually bashing TG and WE is exactly why Stonebrige is probably the one with the black eye here. Why don't you get the media to go down to that "Safe" Eola land together and you can show us how safe the drinking water is by having a glass. Maybe you just want to sit or roll in the grass. You might want to but I bet you don't have the guts.

To:By Anonymous on April 11, 2008 12:30 AM - I AGREE!

The actions of the school board have put us in this mess. I wonder if there is another school disrtict in the entire country that passed a referendum for a new school with location and boundaries in place, then didn't do it. They have wasted sooo much money, and we have nothing to show for it. After the first Brach Brodie disaster you would think they would procede with extream caution, yet the forge ahead as if our tax pockets are bottomless. They have no accountability. I see the NSFOC as a way to hold them accountable on some level.

According to yesterday's article in the Herald, Christine Vickers stated that they suspected that the land deal might not happen a few weeks ago, but that no Plan B was discussed. If the SB thought the deal might fall through, why wouldn't they try to negotiate with BB while we still had some negotiating power? Now Christine Vickers is back on her stance that we don't need a third HS.

With the success of the Frontier Campus, maybe we could build a second Frontier Campus on the 25 acres we already own at BB. In the future, when enrollment drops the disctrict could sell the building.

Also, I think the SB needs to understand that there is more than a "very small and vocal group" that was against the Eola site. You don't need to be a member of NSFOC to be against this site. There are many, many people who are unhappy with the site. Think of the increased transportation costs, especially with the increasing cost of fuel.

Dr. D's letter on Wednesday was laying the ground to blame NSFOC for what transpired yesterday. Let's stop playing into the SB's hand and stop fighting. It does nothing more than damage our community.

To Anonymous on April 11, 2008 12:30 AM--

The referendum raised the money to buy the land, as well as pay for construction.

The SB might want to forget about the MACOM property because environmentally, it isn't that much more desirable than Eola. Drive by, check out the EMFs associated with that property in addition to the RR tracks!

What happened to the land around 111th and north of 248th?

toBy Time to slow down on April 11, 2008 12:12 AM
The Macon site will be subject to more scrutiny than the Eola site. There are more antiNSFOC supporters than NSFOC supporters and you just know that the testign that will be required. More owners of that land. More people to call out in the newspaper NSFOC style (a fullpage ad to discredit Midwest Gen). Do you really think the numerous owners of that land welcome that kind of pressure?

On that same note. Collins brought up same points about testing and the BB site will have to go through incredible testing of that site. It will have to be held to the same standards that Collins wanted for the Eola site. Let's make sure the land is tested for banned pesticides and fertilizers from the 60's & 70's. Make sure we get front page press from the Sun everyday as we question every possibel chemical that may be at that site.

The NSFOC thinks the school board under estimated them. If these tactics work, the rest of us will give those tactics a try.

http://www.ipsd.org/Uploads/news_17332_1.pdf

According to the above document, NVHS enrollment will peak in 2010, before a 3rd high school could even be ready, and overall HS enrollment peaks in 2011 and then declines.

It is way past time to even think about building another high school.

Get some portable classrooms for the real need we have now with the bubble of students at the middle school level.

Remember, we already have 5 high schools:

NNV main campus, NV freshman campus, COD Frontier, WV main campus and the WV freshman campus

We have plenty of capacity to handle the district's lowered and now more realistic enrollment projections, not the ones below which they used to "sell" us the 3rd high school.

http://www.ipsd.org/newsevents/news_item_detail.asp?id=5768

To summarize, the district said "we are very certain that by 2015, high school enrollment will total between 10,200 students and 10,500 students".

Now even the district admits that enrollment will peak at 9254 and then decline.

Can the district find common sense and do what is right for the citizens of 204? Only time will tell if they can overcome their arrogance and admit they were wrong.

Dr. Daeschner keeps claiming we need a 3rd high school, just because he says so doesn't make it true. The district's own enrollment projections are far below the capacity of our 5 high schools.

Anonymous on April 11, 2008 12:30 AM, are you saying that NSFOC strong armed Midwest Gen into not selling their land to the SB when you said "Boy, did the school board ever underestimate NSFOC"? That is interesting if that actually happened...I am sure that people who live in WE and TG are high enough on a corporate ladder at their companies that if one of them did business with Midwest Gen they could make things tough for them.

So if the SB has to go back to BB and pay the increase, will NSFOC pay the difference? Will Shawn Collins represent the district against the greedy lawyers of the BB land to get them to lower their price?

What this comes down too is all of the tax payers who live in D204 are going to pay for this disaster...higher taxes because of lawsuits, higher taxes because of the higher land price at BB and higher taxes because of poor planning by the SB when they try to rush to the Fall of 2009 to open the school...bottom line...is there really a need for a third high school now? It seems one of the SB members doesn't think so...maybe that should explored more.

Thank you to all members of the SB and Dr. D. for all that you have done to continue the awesome education that many in this community have received. It's sad, however, that a handful of newcomers have ruined an awesome education system that this community has made for itself over the years.

I have always been a big supporter to the SD over the past 25 years not only as a graduate of WV but also as a taxpayer. It's sad to see what the new folks in this area have done.

By reggie on April 11, 2008 6:14 AM
I am ashamed how a small group is able to put their individual needs ahead of the needs of the whole district. Those of you that don't think our schools are crowded, try walking the hallways during passing period at either of the two high schools, its insane. Even with the freshman centers, there are way to many kids. Those of you who keep saying that high school students can fit into elementary buildings, you are gravely mistaken! Those are built to house smaller children, the hallways are narrower and classrooms are smaller, high school kids can't physically work in those buildings. I hope the school board decides NOT to build a third high school and decides to put portable class rooms all over the district. What a great selling poing that will be for realtors. I can just see it now the Taj Mahal with mobile classrooms in front of it. Won't those South Siders just love that. "Hey my kid gets to stay at Neuqua but only goes in the actual building for lunch and P.E., the rest of the day they are in a mobile class room, hey but we are still wildcats"! I have lived an taught in this district for over 25 years. I have always believed that the district was one of the best in the state until today. I am appalled how the district has been divided. I am extremely proud my child is graduating from W.V. this year and will not have to deal with the mess that the small group of individuals has left for the rest of the districts children.
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If you keep smoking pot you're going to stay this delusional. Why is is anyone from WV can bash on TG and WE and anyone else but I don't hear a whole lot of WV bashing? Maybe cause you all are smoking the funny weed. Try a big dose common sense. Or maybe you can buy the EOLA land and donate it to the school so they can build. Boy you have a new plan now.

By 204Teacher on April 11, 2008 6:33 AM
I am a teacher at the high school level for District 204 and I am sickened by the events that have transpired. NSFOC, you are a disgrace. Every day I hear STUDENTS say that the district should just let your kids go to Neuqua so you will shut up and the school can get built. They know your real reasons are that you don't want your kids to go to school in a slightly older building with "black people." Again, STUDENTS are well aware of this--not only is it painfully obvious, enough of your members have admitted this "off the record." Now they see that your lies, bullying, and temper tantrums have caused a company to back out of a business deal, so as to avoid years of lawsuits from you if you don't get your way. Sadly, everyone knows you don't need the truth on your side...you have an ambulance chaser and and too much time on your hands to figure out how you can slander people and tie this up in court. Midwest was smart to back out, who would want to deal with you. I am not alone as a teacher who is planning to leave the district. My only complaint with the school board is that they have not done enough to throw this back in your faces and make the public well aware that you are simply RACIST. Good job NSFOC, you are for a FACT causing GOOD teachers to leave the district, suing and taking money away from the schools our children attend, and you have now stopped the construction of a new high school which would alleviate massive overcrowding issues with your LIES. Pretty ironic that CPS is trying to deal with children getting KILLED on their way to school, and you are whining about your kids possibly attending an older building. You would shut up tomorrow if you could go to Neuqua, meaning you DON'T care about the environmental and other lies you are spreading. I care about teaching kids and I feel I need to step out of this district to show that I don't approve of what the kids in our district are learning from this mess.
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You are a racist pig and I hope they find out who you are and throw you out of our school system. I am offened that you are representing anyone in the district with a comment like this. Neuqua and the student (And thier Parents)are very diverse. I don't ever remember a racist comment comming out of anyones mouth about any other school. I don't want my child to go to WV only because I live less than one mile from Neuqua and don't think it will be easy for me as a parent to help my child participate in activities if I need to drive them back and forth at that distance. You are unbelievable. What a disgrace to all of us. I would hate to see your Teaching Methods. Did you learn that from Dr. Dillweed.

Look at all of the anonymous posts. Wow, you are all COWARDS!
White Eagle RULES!!

Has anyone thought of shifting grade levels?

We have space at the elementary level which keeps being said by parents, by SB, etc. and seems to be something that is agreed upon.

We had so much space -- we thought of a good educational use as all day kindergarten. I do actually feel it is a good addition but somewhat of a bonus not usually available to people using public funds. One of my children attended all day K in another district and it was a great start!

Other districts have K-6 in a building. Then have 7-9 and then have 10-12 as high school.

This might alleviate some of the space issues. I know that educationally, socially, etc. some adjustments would have to be made but as we really do have a district filled with excellent teachers and administrators.......they could make it work....and excel.

Truly think about it.....stop saying NO to every creative idea.

Roll up the sleeves and come up with a solution. Role play this...pretend it is an outside district that has no additional funds..they have come to you looking for advice. In our homes when the funds dry up....intelligient people trim expenses!

You know I emailed a state legislator regarding this situation, the D204 lawsuit and all, their response all be it generic or not was that this issue was "not one to be handled at that level." That's what I pay taxes for! It's really great for our kids to see bureaucracy at work isn't it? Too bad our childrens well being has turned political, and as in many other cases we see how the almighty lawsuit is the ultimate tool to procreate results, all be it good or bad. But it's certainly reassuring to see the heartfelt concern Midwest has put forth by backing out of this deal to deter our community bickering over this matter is it not? What I would like to know is who is pulling all the strings and making all these puppets dance?

There is obviously something suspicious about the Eola Road site and how that whole deal was handled. There clearly is something Midwest Gen knows and doesn't want discovered is the simple truth and reason behind why they have pulled out of voluntary negotiations with the SD. IF they sell the land to the SD they would be liable for not disclosing what they know.

On the other hand, if the SD proceeds to condemn the land and take it from them under eminent domain they do not bear the same liability and it would be transfered to the SD since they wanted it so bad to take it by condemnation.

It is amazing how many writers to this column have pitted boundaries against boundaries, neighborhoods against neighborhoods, neighbors against neighbors. The issues are much more complex than what a lot of writers think. It is way more complex than I live here, you live there... since you live there you must want "X". I'm amazed at all the speculation and assumptions that have been made with little though as to who are the stakeholders and voters in this matter. For example there are a lot of stakeholders in this who do not have children in school. There are other stakeholders who send their children to private schools. There are stakeholders who own other than residential property. There are stakeholders who are not arguing Eola vs BB; they just don't want a new school period. There are stakeholders who do not want boundary changes because they want their children to stay at the same school There are stakeholders who want boundary changes because they want their children to go to a different school. These are just a few examples of stakeholders, there are a lot more. Now how about voters, meaning anyone who can vote on a SB matter? Anyone care to look at what is on their agenda?

Anyone who thinks their entire neighborhood has a 100% consensus for or against building a school, for or against a certain site, etc is very mistaken. There has been a lot of finger pointing to certain neighborhoods, probably because some of their residents are more vocal than others. Anyone who assumes those who are vocal represent everyone is making a big mistake.

It is time for everyone to recognize this issue has divided the SD, it has divided neighborhoods, it has divided neighbors, hell it has even divided some families. Yes, a couple of groups with common positions have banded together, but right now each and every one of them are a minority. A noisy minority for sure, each vying to be the squeaky wheel that gets greased.

It is time for the SB to step back and find out what the true, albeit silent, majority really thinks and wants at this point. That means the SB needs to start talking to every single landowner who pays property taxes, not just school parents. Anyone who does not have children currently enrolled in a public school is cut off from the SB informational stream and has to rely on information from other sources such as neighbors, newspapers, radior or tv, etc. If the SB wants support they need to do a much better job of being inclusive when it comes to property owners, taxpayers, residents, and voters.

By earth to SB. If you keep smoking pot you're going to stay this delusional. Why is is anyone from WV can bash on TG and WE and anyone else but I don't hear a whole lot of WV bashing? Maybe cause you all are smoking the funny weed. Try a big dose common sense. Or maybe you can buy the EOLA land and donate it to the school so they can build. Boy you have a new plan now.

Where in my posting did I bash WE and TG?

Yo Earth, sounds like 204Teacher really struck a nerve with you. Is there perhaps some truth in what he/she is saying that set you off?

Glad to hear you admit it was really about boundaries.....

204 teacher

I applaud you for saying what everyone already knows. This is about some TG/WE folks not wanting their sheltered kids exposed to the likes of oh my, Blacks, Hispanics, It is about race, class and boundaries. What a joke to say it is not, no one believes you. TG/WE folks I feel bad for those that live there but hold different beliefs the NSFOC has made you all look pretty bad

It seems everything comes full circle and all parties' actions based on their own self-interests have back-fired! Dist 204 does not need a 3rd high school in the first place. It's time the school board members take this opportunity to turn things in the sensible direction. If not, they should all resign.

Looks like the Eola elitist group are throwing a tantrum because they are not getting a contaminated school in their backyard.

Are you Eola elitist so selfserving that you can not see that D204 is costing the taxpayers millions, and millions of dollars because they have their own agenda.

It is interesting in your blogs that you say NSFOC is only 200-300 people and they will not stop the school board and then in your next blogs AFTER Midwest Gen doesn't move forward you start blaming NSFOC. Which is it?

How about looking at the school board who started with a condemnation lawsuit and put the price of BB out of range. Of course you don't want to BLAME THE SCHOOL BOARD who are a bunch of greedy selfish arrogant (dare I say true elitist) incompetents.

You may want to look at the school board, look in the mirror and rethink your position.

If you look at the illustration of the Eloa site on the Sun website this morning, it appears we can still build the HS if we eliminate the tennis courts and find room for the maintainence buildings. Maybe we just purchase some of the eastern portion of the church acreage for the sake of the tennis team.

By Kevin on April 11, 2008 8:27 AM
Anonymous on April 11, 2008 12:30 AM, are you saying that NSFOC strong armed Midwest Gen into not selling their land to the SB when you said "Boy, did the school board ever underestimate NSFOC"? That is interesting if that actually happened...I am sure that people who live in WE and TG are high enough on a corporate ladder at their companies that if one of them did business with Midwest Gen they could make things tough for them.

So if the SB has to go back to BB and pay the increase, will NSFOC pay the difference? Will Shawn Collins represent the district against the greedy lawyers of the BB land to get them to lower their price?

What this comes down too is all of the tax payers who live in D204 are going to pay for this disaster...higher taxes because of lawsuits, higher taxes because of the higher land price at BB and higher taxes because of poor planning by the SB when they try to rush to the Fall of 2009 to open the school...bottom line...is there really a need for a third high school now? It seems one of the SB members doesn't think so...maybe that should explored more.

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Looks like you have all the answers. No use debating it! Thank god we have you to point out all this information.

To bad this wasn't happening 15-20 years because we wouldn't have these damn blogs for everybody to fight with each other. Nobody could call themselves experts because they read ridiculous articles on line about remediation (wonder how many of you new the word before now).

The NFSOC is what screwed this district. Without them MV would be on its way and no threat to what may happen now. Maybe the NSFOC is scared because MV could very well be a cleaner site than NV.

By Anonymous on April 11, 2008 8:28 AM
Thank you to all members of the SB and Dr. D. for all that you have done to continue the awesome education that many in this community have received. It's sad, however, that a handful of newcomers have ruined an awesome education system that this community has made for itself over the years.

I have always been a big supporter to the SD over the past 25 years not only as a graduate of WV but also as a taxpayer. It's sad to see what the new folks in this area have done.
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Boy, if you think the SB teaches our teachers or has any experience in the classroom you are sadly mistaken. If our teachers are learning from them I would expect rioting in the classrooms because of thier inflamitory comments. Our district will be great with or without this board or the next. It is all about the teachers, students and parent commitments.

I checked the NSFOCFRAUD website today and there is no update about yestredays news. Chickens

C'mon people. Stop the TG bashing. We are a diverse community with the same demographics as other sub divisions. The NSFOC simply want the SB to deliver on what they promised. Many Many of their supporters would NOT be going to NVHS. Many of them want their kids to go to WVHS insteat of MVHS. It has nothing to do with wanted to stay at Nequa and has everything to do with standing by what was promised and moving forward and not compromising the health and safety of children.

This is an amazing opportunity for our community to rethink what is best for the community and stop pitting neighbors against each other. Think outside of the box.

After last referendum, only one northern subdivision Brookdale held grudge because the boundary map did not make them happy. Then that subdivision and its representatives in our SB which should represent the whole school district proposed this hazardous Eola site for new high school. Their priority is a new school on their backyard, not the safety of our children. Such a selfish bunch !

------------------- The Effects of the Pendulum Theory--------------

The Pendulum theory is an interesting theory that may be in effect regarding the situation we as a 204 family find ourselves in.

On the one hand there is a very vocal group of people who have decided to sue the school district(one end of the pendulum). These folks have been able to crank up the fear from an environmental stance thru both factual and much quackery type science. On the other side of the pendulum are the folks that "feel in their hearts" that this distinct group of nine(the real number is probably in the high 3 digit range) have single handedly crushed the prospects of a third high school being constructed in a timely fashion.

The middle of the pendulum type folks are the ones that would just like to get the damn school built in a timely fashion at a location that is safe and convenient. This group will be the ones that need to be galvanized to demand that the third high school be built according to the successful 2nd referendum. This group is by far the majority of the 204 families and will need to become acutely aware of the by-product of overcrowded schools on everyone involved. The success of the installation of a third high school will hinge on these folks in the middle of the pendulum getting involved with this process. I fear that like moving a pendulum from the middle this will take a lot of time. Time we are in very short supply of in the 204 district family.

To the folks on each end of this pendulum you carry the ball, it is definitely in your court. Your ability to look beyond the anger, name calling, and all other non-productive behavior will set the course in the following years with regard to how, when, and where this school gets built.

May I suggest a start may be attending the next board meeting and offer your services to the board and the 204 staff. I am a big believer of the 80/20 rule. For the 20% that have tirelessly offered your services I commend you. I also ask you to not get discouraged and carry on OUR DISTRICT NEEDS YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT". For portion of the 80% that would consider volunteering now is the time. Please no accusations or angry editorials are needed at this time, ONLY THOSE WILLING TO HELP NEED APPLY.

Linda Holmes' career is on the "hot seat". She admitted to calling Midwest Gen. - it's in the Sun it must be true. That in itself is unethical at best. Using her position to intimidate - I wouldn't want to be her right now. What a stupid career move

Options for the SB:

* Build on 50 acres at Eola - unacceptable to me as it will build a school that is not at par with other two schools.

* Build at BB - acceptable only if they sell the land at what SB wanted originally. Just because courts put a stupid price tag on this land does not mean that the 204 district have to pay it. I will not pay their price for sure or legal action. SB can't go over the referendum budget.

* find another site within budget.

* Get the church people to sell remaining land. That should fit the budget but that's a big if.

By That was quite a reaction! on April 11, 2008 9:12 AM
Yo Earth, sounds like 204Teacher really struck a nerve with you. Is there perhaps some truth in what he/she is saying that set you off?

Glad to hear you admit it was really about boundaries.....

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Are you a racist as well? Condoning that type of comment by one of our teachers is pathetic. Of course it struck a nerve. I don't speak for anyone but myself and will not let it go. I will personally see to it that if I run into this person, I will have them fired. You think, just like the SB that their is not any acountability for comments and actions. This is the real world. Stand up for what is right. That was not.

For those of you that want to make the argument that WE/TG are somehow racially biased. You are absolutely RIGHT - we are biased in favor of minorities and inclusive communities.

WE and TG are roughly 20 to 30% minority - including myself, my neighbor, several families on my street... BTW, my child's friends include European-, African-, ASian- and Hispanic - Americans and even some non-citizens. That is one of the things we love about our community.

The people who are saying these negative things about WE/TG are working from stereotypes and their owned prejudices. You are ignoring the reality of our situation because it cognitively dissonant from your prejudiced world view.

Most people in our communities feel abused by the School Board and after putting up with it for almost 4 years now - we are fighting back. This includes whites, blacks, yellows, browns, .... whatever color of the rainbow of people who live in WE/TG.

It seems to me that we have a very vocal minority in d204. Whether it's WE and/or TG, I don't really care. But it does seem ironic that people only complained about or supported the 3rd high school when boudaries were drawn. Let's allow the SD the opportunity to place a 3rd high school in a plot of land that makes sense both from a financial perspective and logistical perspective. WV is centrally located on the west side. NV is on the south side. It only makes sense to build something on the north side so that our high schools are spaced out and boudaries easily split up, without politics. An outside consultant would say as much.

As a side note, i really don't understand where all the hate comes from whether their kids would attend WV. It may be the older of the HS's, but the school is only as good as its teachers and students. The elitist stance that ones kids should not mingle with those currently at WV is not a lesson one should be teaching one's kids. I only hope that when the new boundaries are drawn, that my kids will not have to interact with those "elitist" parents' kids, as no doubt they will have been spoiled by the lessons their parents teach.

To:By Earth To SB on April 11, 2008 8:42 AM I am seriously right now laughing at your post. Claiming that Neuqua is racially diverse. That statement in and of itself shows how you've been robbed of the beauty of diversity probably all your life. It is a sad thing in Naperville, those of you who haven't been around the richness of other cultures are missing a lot - and that includes socioecominc diversity as well. This is offered at Waubonsie and would have continued with Metea at Eola as well - something TG and WE shiver at the idea of - we embrace it.

Stop the madness with the Macom property.

There are powerlines, RR tracks and electric substations in close proximity (and on the property).

If these were concerns for you at Eola, would they not continue to be concerns at Macom? Or, are your true colors showing again?

Now that the land is now available, I wonder if Mark M and all those employed by the monopolistic school districts are willing to buy land from Midwest and build their McMansion's there??? Sale or not, if there was one cancer case POSSIBLY linked to this site, Midwest and everybody would have been liable. $tupid$, build of the 3rd HS option disappeared when D204 convinced us that those 2 freshman centers were all they needed. Monopolies do $tupid things, waste money, fund their coffiers. D204, what a big OINKER! Wonder if Stephen Daeschner is negotiating his golden parachute now (with generous $$'s)? I got a place where he can build his McMansion with beautiful scenery! The machine is not done yet, more innovative $OLUTION$ on the way! Yeah, they're bringing green $olution$ to us taxpayers!

kudos to 204 teacher for saying what the rest of us already know but refuse to say because it is not political correct. This is about boundaries. This is about choosing your neighbors (classmates).

If the owners of the NSFOC are the same as the nine named plaintiffs in the amended lawsuit (8 in Tall Grass and 1 in White eagkle), then 100% of the owners of the NSFOC are people that would be sending their children to WVHS under the new boundaries. The lawsuit is asking for relief in any form that keeps their kids out of WVHS. Of everything they are asking from the courts, not one of them would allow the district to draw the boundaries to put them into WVHS.

I can already hear the keyboards typing by saying that NVHS is just as diversified. No it is not. The financial demographics of the "diversity" are much different.

Did anybody see on the Naperville Sun blogs that the NSFOC was getting ready to sue the school district for $60,000,000 in damages. Property value damage? I would love to see their lawyer go before a judge and try to argue this without bring race into the discussion.

NSFOC(Need Segregation For Our Children) FYI The government past school integration laws many years ago for people like you. It would actually be a good lesson for your sheltered kids if they mixed a little bit with Minorities and lower income households. Your neighborhood acts like they think they are better than anyone else. NSFOC used every one as pawns for thier own selfish resons. This had nothing to do with environmental issues. It had everything to do with a group of SNOBS. Anyone who supported NSFOC and who didn't live in TG or WE was a PATSIE.

I'd like to take a moment to thank all nine of you caring individuals for what you have done for 20,000 kids in this district.
This is what America is all about and you must feel proud to have exercised your "voice" via your lawsuit.

You have filed suit against children's educational funds, created irreparable animosity amongst your "supporters" and the thousands of taxpayers that disagree with your motives and scare tactics, and perhaps most importantly have jeopardized a much needed district third high school.

Your future lawsuit threats (as if this one wasn't bad enough) have and will continue to scare away landowners. Everyone is now well aware that anybody can file a lawsuit,search the internet and throw random studies and data manipulated to fit the "agenda du jour"into it, and then play it out in the media via a salivating media source.It's a new age and lawyers are becoming very adept at distorting and compartmentalizing information for the purpose of twisting laws and rulings in their favor.It's not about right and wrong anymore...don't kid yourself. Ask any well-respected, top-notch physician what they pay for malpractice insurance just so they can afford to keep practicing. They're getting out by the thousands because of these ambulance chasers.

The kids in grades 6-10 especially thank you. They will be most impacted by your selfish actions and will continue to be effected by the physical crowding as well as emotional ramifications.

The teachers and administrators also thank you for making their jobs even more difficult as they attempt to navigate through crowded classrooms and frustrations arise upon realizing the overwhelming task of trying to meet personal needs while maintaining decorum over the rest of the overburdened classrooms.

Lastly, I know many of our long- time fellow Naperville residents are really proud of the image that you've brought to our town and school district.There must be no better feeling than suing your neighbors to achieve your own your personal goals. I hope folks know enough to have you sign a legal waiver before they let your kid play at their house. This will stay with our community for quite some time.Thanks again for everything that you've done. You have no idea what it means to us!

Reality:

- Linda Homles won't see public office for much longer. She will be shown to have more a hand in this and the facts will soon come out.

- NSFOC and the TG neighborhood is calling for unity? That's a laugh when it is that group and neighborhood that have been acting with classismn, elitism and selfishness since the begining. Now you might get your way at BB and you're calling for uinity. Think again. You just made a bigger group mad who have more means and deeper pockets.

- Way to go NSFOC now I heard you're making the teachers mad at both NV and WV. I heard teachers also talking at the elementary school level about your frivolous lawsuit. They even realize it was because you didn't want to attend WVHS and/or drive a whole 5-6 miles.

-WVHS can't expand. They are land locked and have no room for portables. The only option is for them to go to split shifts.

- MACOM will never be the new site for a 3rd HS. Just as many issues there that people will raise thanks to the NSFOC. Power Lines and RR tracks very close by (close then at Eola).

- BB will also never be a site for a new HS. Too expensive and no the majority of the district will never allow another referendum to pass because of the actions of the NSFOC.

What has happened is because of the selfish actions of a few it has started a chain reaction. Now no one wants the NSFOC or TG to be allowed to have a 3rd HS. I'm starting to wonder if you should have just let it play out in the courts because the actions of the NSFOC did themselves no favors.

Lastly, history will not show a SB that may have made some mistakes. It will show how a group of residents decided to sue their school board for selfish reasons. It was always about boundaries all the other stuff was just for show. Now we will have overcrowded High Schools and our kids will have less oportunities within their own schools.

It is a shame what the NSFOC has turned this district into by being so litigious. I was most proud of the parents in this district and the support they gave back to the district. Now I can't say that. Thanks NSFOC for being in it for yourself.

Can anyone tell me how long the entitled nine have lived in the district and did any of them have relocation plans before all of this started? They don't strike me as being very community- based. Do they expect to receive "damages" for their "suffering"? What's Collins hourly rate?

Also, I am curious why more people that live in the same subdivision and are not members of the little"group" aren't speaking out? Do they feel intimidated? Any anonymous thoughts? I know you're out there.
Thanks.

204Teacher on April 11, 2008 6:33 AM
They know your real reasons are that you don't want your kids to go to school in a slightly older building with "black people."

*************

How dare you even say something like this. NV has wonderful students of all ethnic backgrounds. Leave the kids out of this!

I am with Earth to SB, to find out who you are. I will start at WV and go from there. If you really are a teacher you best start looking for a different career. No parent who attends WV or NV will put up with you.

By That was quite a reaction! on April 11, 2008 9:12 AM
Yo Earth, sounds like 204Teacher really struck a nerve with you. Is there perhaps some truth in what he/she is saying that set you off?

Glad to hear you admit it was really about boundaries.....

...............................................................
Are you a racist as well? Condoning that type of comment by one of our teachers is pathetic. Of course it struck a nerve. I don't speak for anyone but myself and will not let it go. I will personally see to it that if I run into this person, I will have them fired. You think, just like the SB that their is not any acountability for comments and actions. This is the real world. Stand up for what is right. That was not.

By That was quite a reaction! on April 11, 2008 9:12 AM
Yo Earth, sounds like 204Teacher really struck a nerve with you. Is there perhaps some truth in what he/she is saying that set you off?

Glad to hear you admit it was really about boundaries.....

...............................................................
Are you a racist as well? Condoning that type of comment by one of our teachers is pathetic. Of course it struck a nerve. I don't speak for anyone but myself and will not let it go. I will personally see to it that if I run into this person, I will have them fired. You think, just like the SB that their is not any acountability for comments and actions. This is the real world. Stand up for what is right. That was not.

...............................................................

Am I a racist? Is that all you can come back with? I simply passed along an observation that you flew through the roof over something that has been posted on these blogs more than once by more than one person and I simply asked if it struck close to home. Based on your response, I conclude it did. Go ahead and call me what you want, sticks and stones, you've shown yourself to the rest of us.

I also see you're now threatening people. Not a good thing to do.

By TG and WE - 20 to 30 percent minority on April 11, 2008 9:52 AM
For those of you that want to make the argument that WE/TG are somehow racially biased. You are absolutely RIGHT - we are biased in favor of minorities and inclusive communities.

WE and TG are roughly 20 to 30% minority - including myself, my neighbor, several families on my street... BTW, my child's friends include European-, African-, ASian- and Hispanic - Americans and even some non-citizens. That is one of the things we love about our community.

My question to you

What is the racial make up of the elite 9?

What a mess created by a small smug group of parents (NSFOC) and a terrible SB...unfortunately the worst of this mess isn't over for the citizens of Napervilles district 204.

To: Jim Jandick Ashbury on April 11, 2008 9:43 AM

While I agree with your Pendulum theory I have some amendments to it.

The group that is "the middle of the pendulum type folks are the ones that would just like to get the damn school built in a timely fashion" does not exist any more. Why you ask? Because of the group that is a "very vocal group of people who have decided to sue the school district".

Now that group that overwhelmingly voted yes and did want a 3rd HS sees the selfish way the vocal group has acted. To them the vocal group represents a group that never had the best interests of the SD in mind. To them the "vocal group" was only interested in the building of the HS if it benefited them. When the SB said that they were doing what they felt was best for the whold IPSD all the "vocal group" felt was that the SB mistreated them and lied to them. When in fact it was the SB as well as the middle of the pendulum that only wanted a 3rd HS to benefit everyone in the IPSD.

Now, we can argue boundaries, and what was promised and school safety all day long. However, to the majority (SB and middle group) it was only ever about getting a 3rd HS any where.

Now that middle group is a fraction of what it once was because of the actions of the "vocal group" and what the middle group perceived (and rightly so) selfish intentions. Therefore, as a former supporter of a 3rd HS no matter where it was, I have to rethink my stance because of this "vocal group" that did things in a selfish mannor.

Re: anonymous 9:05 am, Unbelievable 9:41 am, excellent posts keep them coming. Anonymous you have got it 100% correct when it comes to all the different factions within our district. When this school becomes a reality we in the district will need folks like you for some perspective as to how we get the next referendum past, I will keep your post in mind when that time arrives (2011-2013). The factions I am most concerned about are the voters who will not have children in the district, I can only hope they don't read local papers or get their info from blogs. Though many in the district seem open minded.

I am proud to say I live in Tall Grass. I am an NSFOC contributor and activist. I joined NSFOC not because I am self serving or that I don't like Waubonsee. All of our schools are good ones. I strongly believe that the north site was hazardous for students of the district. The community can think otherwise but I can tell you that this group is not out to hurt the community. Our goal is to have a School Board that makes morally and fiscally responsible decisions. At this point I'm not sure we can get there without a third party getting involved that doesn't have a vested interest. The community is divided. It was divided well before NSFOC was formed and it will continue unless the Board makes decisions that are for the benefit of all.

Let's get back to facts:

2006 School Referendum, the District Superintendent issued the following statement:

"The referendum presented to the community was base on the Brach-Brodie land and boundaries that were determined. Those boundaries would no longer be in effect if the location of the school changed. IN OUR OPINION, THE LOCATION OF THE LAND AND BOUNDARIES ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO WHY THE PEOPLE VOTED AS THEY DID. A promise was made to the community and the community supported the districtr by passing the referendum."

This is the direct quote which is hard to argue with. So school board lets get back to reality.

First and last response. I think it is very scary what YOU AS PARENTS ARE TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN...and I believe that is called 'bullying.' Now I want everyone to take a 'time out.'

options...I agree with your post. I hope that the church and the district can come to some agreement of the perfect divison of the portions of the Eola land. If the school were to build on the south end of the property, the church may be able to purchase some additional land from Midwest Gen (if Linda Holmes approves) if the church even needs the additional land. Would it be feasible for the church and the school to share parking lots? The school needs the parking during the week and the church only needs parking on Sunday. In that scenario, the Midwest Gen land can stay in the hands of Midwest gen.

By Anonymous on April 10, 2008 11:04 PM
carpe diem...you don't see a connection between the timing of Linda Holme's admitted conversation with the Midwest Gen people and when Vickers said the SB started feeling that Midwest Gen was getting nervous?
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I don't think Holmes did anything but try to get the scoop on the environmental issues since the SB and Daschner would not talk in public. Her constituents asked her to help since she had been such advocate for the school in the first place.

My gut tells me that Midwest Gen did not want the exposure to concerned parents looming over them. Have you ever seen a gas station sold to a school district? Nope... its the same issue. The environmental issues are not worth the hastle they would have to contend with so don't bother. What intrigues me is why Midwest Gen would even entertain this deal in the first place. Even though the comercial real estate market is down the utility companies are not hurting so I see no mad dash to sell. I suspect Daschner etal were working hard to convince Midwest Gen that this would not plague them and that there was not that much community discontent. My proof is the pathetic email from Daschner yesterday trying to pretend that there are only 200 concerned parents and everyone else is behind him.

This Super is super-scary if he believes he can continue to ignore parents or better yet "fence us off"...Carpe Diem

To By 204Teacher on April 11, 2008 6:33 AM

To be honest I didn't read past your racist comments initially because I was very angry. But now that I have calmed down and realized you are leaving I just wanted to thank you. Good luck finding a better district. I know many teachers that are obviously of higher quality that would love to be apart of this great melting pot. The way you refer to people by color is realy a sign of the times and it is great you will weed yourself out. Please follow through with a letter of resignation with todays date so we can all reflect how bad we feel for you.

The most surprising thing to me is that you and other parents are involving your children in discussions like this. That is how people start racism. Tell me which school you teach in and where all of the other teachers who support you are because I will try very hard to avoid your style of teaching. Sorry again, maybe I should have read farther the first time.

LINDA HOLMES = SHE GONE !!!!

Keep bashing TG as it apparently makes you feel better. It seems it's many of the same people spilling their hatred once again. It gets old and in fact, many of us just simply become immune to it. Do you honestly think that by repeating something over and over and over that it makes it true? TG is not a bad area with a bunch of racists. That's ridiculous. We are a very diverse community with a lot of great residents and we are proud. Too bad you've never given us a chance to get to know us. Our kids are pretty nice, too probably just like yours.

Just because there are those here that have stood up for what they believe does not make them evil. Bottom-line is we are an educated, involved neighborhood that is not going to just sit by and watch the SB destroy this district. Wake up, people! The anger should not be directed at TG, NSFOC, Linda Holmes, etc. It should be directed at our inept SB.

Thank goodness for NSFOC for calling the SB out on this mess. Thanks to them, there's not a shovel in the ground today at a power plant! Hooray.

By Not a member of the vocal minority on April 11, 2008 9:55 AM
It seems to me that we have a very vocal minority in d204. Whether it's WE and/or TG, I don't really care. But it does seem ironic that people only complained about or supported the 3rd high school when boudaries were drawn. Let's allow the SD the opportunity to place a 3rd high school in a plot of land that makes sense both from a financial perspective and logistical perspective. WV is centrally located on the west side. NV is on the south side. It only makes sense to build something on the north side so that our high schools are spaced out and boudaries easily split up, without politics. An outside consultant would say as much.

As a side note, i really don't understand where all the hate comes from whether their kids would attend WV. It may be the older of the HS's, but the school is only as good as its teachers and students. The elitist stance that ones kids should not mingle with those currently at WV is not a lesson one should be teaching one's kids. I only hope that when the new boundaries are drawn, that my kids will not have to interact with those "elitist" parents' kids, as no doubt they will have been spoiled by the lessons their parents teach.
................................................................
I am still waiting to hear from anyone in TG or WE that has made any racist comments or even comments about not liking people that attend WV. It is always and I repeat always some idiot like you telling people that is what was said but show me where one of my neighbors said such horible things. If it was my neighbor I will deal with them, but I doubt you can back up any comment you make.

By the way, you can tell I have time today to play. Bring on the game, cause that's all this BS is. Just a game. Do you really think the SB or NSFOC are watching intently to see what's next. This is just a bunch of people who have nothing better to do. Have fun.

Will the current 204 boundary changes for elementary and middle schools still take effect this fall?

Tall in Tall Grass on April 11, 2008 10:45 AM
I am proud to say I live in Tall Grass. I am an NSFOC contributor and activist. I joined NSFOC not because I am self serving or that I don't like Waubonsee. All of our schools are good ones. I strongly believe that the north site was hazardous for students of the district. The community can think otherwise but I can tell you that this group is not out to hurt the community. Our goal is to have a School Board that makes morally and fiscally responsible decisions. At this point I'm not sure we can get there without a third party getting involved that doesn't have a vested interest. The community is divided. It was divided well before NSFOC was formed and it will continue unless the Board makes decisions that are for the benefit of all.
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I too am a supporter of NSFOC. I am sorry you have gotten the blame for what the school board has done. There are people up here that believe NSFOC is doing the right thing. Please know that many people do support you.

SB quotes...I voted yes. I had previously voted no. I am a swing vote. Boundaries and the school site had absolutley nothing to do with my change of vote. The restructure of the bonds and the impact on my yearly property taxes was the "contributing" factor. For those taxpayers without children in school (a very large number of taxpayers) may have also voted yes for the same reason. SO please tell me SB Quotes, how you are going to convince a judge that I voted yes because of boundaries. I bet I am not alone.

By the way, "contributing" does not mean absolute.

Racist in TG/WE. PLEASE!!! Have you ever even been to that neighborhood. It is a wonderfully diverse neighborhood with by some esitmates 35% minority population. It is about the lies we were all told by this board. They sold us one thing and delivered another. The American way is all about fighting for injustices when being trampled by those treating us unjustly. You people that say the decision was made just move on, sound like a bunch of sheep to me. BAH BAH BAH.

To: A Note of Thanks to nsfoc.... on April 11, 2008 10:23 AM

You said it perfectly. This is what the majority of IPSD feels.

Anonymous on April 11, 2008 10:49 AM

Face it Eola options are out. We already own 25 ACRES at BB and now the school board may even consider purchasing 50 ACRES at Eola!
Let's not waste anymore money and make another stupid mistake.

CURRENTLY OWNED BB LAND: 25 ACRES

CURRENTLY OWNED EOLA LAND: 0 ACRES

Eola needs to be out and move back to what the voters voted on. NO MORE CONDEMNATION LAWSUITS MARK METZER!!

Does anyone want to wager that attorney Shawn Collins continues the lawsuit so he can continue to collect fees and continue to appear in the newspaper?

Am I a racist? Is that all you can come back with? I simply passed along an observation that you flew through the roof over something that has been posted on these blogs more than once by more than one person and I simply asked if it struck close to home. Based on your response, I conclude it did. Go ahead and call me what you want, sticks and stones, you've shown yourself to the rest of us.

I also see you're now threatening people. Not a good thing to do.
...................................................................
You are quite pathetic. Sticking up for racist comments from a teacher. If you condon this you must have other motives or you are a racist in general. There will be people leaving the teacher said. That tells you I jumped the gun as I admitted. The bad eggs are weeding themselves out. And rightly so. Any responsible parent would be calling for the jobs of those teachers who don't stay on the sidelines and make racist comments on line about those in their school. None of my neighbors have problems with anyone of color infact I am white and my wife hispanic. I care deaply for my kids and the rest of the community and do not think any area should be labled the way you and other racists try. You don't hold a teaching job when you have those kind of incorrect beliefs. I am betting that person is on the way out simply because they can't cut it and is using this BS comment as an exuse. Get on with it and leave with the teacher. I am sure a majority of the teachers are not like this person. Certainly none of us have heard about a large number of teachers here that are leaving the district. Again, good luck to the teacher finding a new job.

Post by 204Teacher at 6:33am was right on the mark...thank you.

Hmmmmm, now the NSFOC is throwing threats at teachers that post their opinions on this blog. Gonna go after teachers now NSFOC? Isn't it bad enough you've put a black mark on our school district enough?

Many teachers are talking about the NSFOC white, African American, Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian and Hispanic. Your motives are not hard to hide. You can try to make it about boundaries, driving distance, environmental propaganda all you want, but the rest of the district sees you for who you really are and what you stand for. It's quite a shame you may never get to experience WVHS and what a wonderfuly diverse outstanding HS it really is.

Throwing numbers around about how your neighborhoods are racially diverse is one thing, but filing a lawsuit to prevent your children from attending a high school because of your perceived ideas of a HS is quite another thing.

Anonymous on April 11, 2008 7:25 AM
Looks like the Eola elitist group are throwing a tantrum because they are not getting a contaminated school in their backyard.

Are you Eola elitist so selfserving that you can not see that D204 is costing the taxpayers millions, and millions of dollars because they have their own agenda.

It is interesting in your blogs that you say NSFOC is only 200-300 people and they will not stop the school board and then in your next blogs AFTER Midwest Gen doesn't move forward you start blaming NSFOC. Which is it?

How about looking at the school board who started with a condemnation lawsuit and put the price of BB out of range. Of course you don't want to BLAME THE SCHOOL BOARD who are a bunch of greedy selfish arrogant (dare I say true elitist) incompetents.

You may want to look at the school board, look in the mirror and rethink your position.
----------------

How true! However, they should be the Eola Whiners for a Hazardous Site. Where is the Hazmat suit guy he can be their mascot!

Please stop quoting everyone.

It's really annoying to see the same stuff getting quoted time and again. I'm sure we can all dredge up quotes in support of our position.

Even more annoying is people who quote Socrates and Confucious on these blogs.

Give it a rest.

Hey "By Earth to SB on April 11, 2008 9:24 AM", judging from reading your posts throughout this thread I won't take offense to your sarcastic remark as I will consider the source..."Looks like you have all the answers. No use debating it! Thank god we have you to point out all this information". I especially don't care what you think since you won't even put your first name on your entry..."Earth to SB"...wow you must be in marketing with that catchy title...maybe you should run for the SB...no that would actually require you leaving your computer and giving back to this community...we can't ask you to do that. Your contributions here are too valuable.

To 204 teacher 6:33am

I'm glad you're leaving the district. We don't need teachers who try to bring racism where it doesn't belong. You must not have ever visited Neuqua before because there are alot of "black students"(using your words). My kids are friends with kids of all different backgrounds so how dare you bring up racism. I doubt you are even a teacher. A teachers job is to teach not judge.

Trivia question for all those who are calling White Eagle and Tall Grass 'racist'. Which is more white, White Eagle or Brookdale?

You can find the answers here:

Brookdale:
http://www.ipsd.org/Documents/RptCards07/brookdale_report_card.pdf

White Eagle:
http://www.ipsd.org/Documents/RptCards07/white_eagle_report_card.pdf

Here'a a little hint. The answer might surprise you.

Have you ever wondered which is the least racially diverse elementary school in the district? The answer again may surprise you. It is Clow, at 86% white. Other schools that are more than 80% white are Graham, Patteron & Springbrook.

Are you curious about which neighborhoods feeding WVHS are the most and least diverse? Steck and Brookdale are the least diverse. Here'a an interesting fact. WVHS lies in the Steck neighborhood, which is 77% white. Neuqua's student body is 74% white.

The fact of the matter is that our whole district is much more racially diverse than many people realize. I am sure you will find some racists within the district, including racists who hate white people. But I don't think you can generalize by neighborhood to find them. That is one of the great things about our district community. We do not have all blacks in one subdivision, all hispanics in another, all Indians in another, etc. If you think differently, I invite you to post your email address here and I'll send you a spreadsheet that has all the racial data for each school straight from the district.

D204 Teacher:
Please do, leave. You are obviously uneducated. I would hate for you to even interact with my four children. Racists? Please. Go. Now. Anywhere but here. Get out and take your small mind with you.

Everyone who calls Tall Grass and White Eagle residents "rich snobs":
Jealousy is really a very ugly emotion. You sound pathetic. Sorry you don't have an advanced degree and a great job. Sorry you don't vacation. Sorry you hate your job and your life and your old house. (FYI - that's how you make yourself sound when you call someone a rich snob, so you might want to reconsider doing that, you sound "miserable" with your own life, sorry, truth hurts) You could get degrees and jobs, maybe, just like WE DID. It takes hard work and dedication. We all did it. Try it. Maybe if you didn't sit around blogging hatred all day you, too, could get a good job, work hard and make some real money!

All other haters:
Do you really think people who are successful in every aspect of their lives are going to sit around and get screwed by an incompetent school board? Think again. That's not how we got to the top of our companies and through medical/law school and started our own businesses. Get it?
And do you really think WE are going to be intimidated by YOUR poor grammar and misspelled insults? Do you really think that, EVER, you're going to have ANY effect on us....in your little lives? Please, you're not even on our radar. I suggest you spend your time doing things that matter...because bashing our neighborhood has no effect on us - it won't change anything that we are doing - people like you have no power over us - it only makes you look like you belong in a lower class than you probably are.

I figured that the deal with MWG was dead as soon as the name and email address of the WWG VP were stated in these blogs. If the NSFOC supporters called and emailed him the way that the post in these blogs, he was probably unable to do some of his daily repsonsibilities. If the SB decides to purchase the AME property, I'm sure they'll do the same to the church leaders and that deal would be killed in the same manner. The SB should be spending all of their time on plans for split shifts. I'm expecting to see at least 4 candidates from TG in the 2009 SB election - hopefully at least 3 from the NSFOC 9.

Regarding post from 204Teacher at 6:33am...you are right on the mark....thank you.

"All other haters:
Do you really think people who are successful in every aspect of their lives are going to sit around and get screwed by an incompetent school board? Think again. That's not how we got to the top of our companies and through medical/law school and started our own businesses. Get it?
And do you really think WE are going to be intimidated by YOUR poor grammar and misspelled insults? Do you really think that, EVER, you're going to have ANY effect on us....in your little lives? Please, you're not even on our radar. I suggest you spend your time doing things that matter...because bashing our neighborhood has no effect on us - it won't change anything that we are doing - people like you have no power over us - it only makes you look like you belong in a lower class than you probably are."...as posted by proud of tall grass...

Pretty much what you'd expect.You don't sue thousands of innocent people without either being an idiot or consumed by self absorbed arrogance ....or both!:)

Wow. I mean it. Wow.

Well, the nsfoc got its way. No new school will be built now, at least until their precious ones leave NVHS. They can sit back, relax and never have to think about the substandard educational facilities facing their kids. Amazing.

By the way, I'm most alarmed about the comments made by "earth to SB." Not only regarding the hateful and threatening remarks he/she made to the 204 teacher; I'm more alarmed at the shockingly poor grammar he/she used ("inflamitory?" "thier?" "comming?"). Ye gods. Seems to me the only after-school activities that person should take part in is time with an adult-education tutor.

Good luck, all. You'll need it.

Signed,

A happy 203 resident.

Its a good thing the Eola site got killed because it was put forth by the School Board to create defacto segregation.

The result would have been that Neuqua would have lost a significant portion of its minority students and the minority students would have been concentrated in Waubonsie and Metea.

So in fact, it seems like the School Board was trying to create a white Neuqua and NSFOC was working to ensure that the School Board did not proceed with their "racist" agenda. NSFOC seems to have supported maintaining diversity in Neuqua, while the school board was trying to make Neuqua more white.

To: Proud of Tall Grass and White Eagle on April 11, 2008 12:23 PM

"Everyone who calls Tall Grass and White Eagle residents "rich snobs"
"You sound pathetic. Sorry you don't have an advanced degree and a great job. Sorry you don't vacation. Sorry you hate your job and your life and your old house. (FYI - that's how you make yourself sound when you call someone a rich snob, so you might want to reconsider doing that, you sound "miserable" with your own life, sorry, truth hurts) You could get degrees and jobs, maybe, just like WE DID. It takes hard work and dedication. We all did it. Try it. Maybe if you didn't sit around blogging hatred all day you, too, could get a good job, work hard and make some real money!"

____________________________________

Sorry to burst your bubble but there are far more "rich" people in this School District then TG and WE. However, you have just proven the point that you do KNOW NOTHING AND ARE A SNOB.

Trust me the majority of the district doesn't dislike the NSFOC and/or TG because they have money or that they are jealous. Quite the opposite. We dislike you for what you stand for which is classish, elitism, and selfishness. HOW DARE YOU SUE US AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE NSFOC NEVER HAD ANYONE ELSES INTERESTS IN MIND BUT THEIR OWN!!! IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT WHAT YOU FEEL YOU HAVE COMING TO YOU. IF IT CAN'T BE NVHS IT BETTER BE A NEW SCHOOL. DISGUSTING!!! YOU DON'T DESERVE IT NOW!!! Sadly all of our kids will pay because of your selfishness.

To: Proud of Tall Grass and White Eagle on April 11, 2008 12:23 PM

"And do you really think WE are going to be intimidated by YOUR poor grammar and misspelled insults? Do you really think that, EVER, you're going to have ANY effect on us....in your little lives? Please, you're not even on our radar. I suggest you spend your time doing things that matter...because bashing our neighborhood has no effect on us - it won't change anything that we are doing - people like you have no power over us - it only makes you look like you belong in a lower class than you probably are."

_________________________________________

WHAT????????????????

AND HERE YOU ARE....THIS IS HOW THE NSFOC AND TG FEEL ABOUT THE REST OF US IN THE DISTRICT.

IF THE PEOPLE THAT JOINED THE NSFOC THOUGHT ANY DIFFERENT....THIS IS WHAT THEY REALLY STAND FOR. IT HAS ALWAYS ONLY BEEN ABOUT THEM. THE REST OF US "AREN'T EVEN ON THEIR RADAR SCREEN"!!!!

WHO EVER WROTE THIS YOU JUST SHOWED YOUR TRUE COLORS!!!

204Teacher on April 11, 2008 6:33 AM

Are you really a Dist.204 teacher? If so, I'm surprised.
Most people and teachers understand that the main well for a child's information, perceptions, attitudes and general behavior is their home: what they see, hear, feel and experience in that setting. Also of influence are the teachers who spend time with them every day. With the exception of the negativity and hate written on these blogs (which undeniably cuts both ways), in the general press I have not seen any of the disparaging remarks about WV, its teachers, or its students that you speak of -and certainly nothing of the sort has ever been published or said by the NSFOC representatives I have heard. Yet this is the group you are singling out as the cause of the district's problems, as well as your student's concerns. Where is it coming from? Is it simply your opinon which you are passing on to your students? If so, I hope you will rethink this. It is important to present all sides of any issue to promote free thought and critical thinking. You can actually do this while being sympathetic to your students' feelings.

You said: "I care about teaching kids and I feel I need to step out of this district to show that I don't approve of what the kids in our district are learning from this mess".

If you are actually a teacher (many bloggers like to pretend), and you care, then before you leave, please try telling your students this:
The situation that exists in our district today is very unfortunate. There are people in every corner of the district who, at some point, have probably been upset about some aspect of this process of change - after all, it has taken on many shapes, and has been going on for quite some time. Please know that overwhelmingly, people have the best interest of children, the district's students, and the district's future at heart. Though they might disagree about what is "best", as evidenced through the recent formation of groups such as the NSFOC and NSFOCfraud, it is unlikely that the supporters of either of these groups is confined to single areas, neighborhoods, or towns. They are also probably not all of the same race. So, just as none of us wants to be stereotyped, it's wrong to do it to anyone else. Though it can make things difficult and uncomfortable sometimes we, as Americans, are lucky to have choices, and the right to speak out against government at every level if we feel it is warranted. It is not a perfect world, but at the end of the day, the courts exist to protect all of us. As teachers and students, we are lucky to have a great district and so many parents, teachers, and residents who care. So, let's be thankful for what we have and trust that this will be decided in the best, most logical and responsible way possible by the many who care enough to be involved. In the meantime, don't ever let anyone make you to feel diminished or discouraged for any reason.

And again, if you truly are a teacher, in my opinion it is best that you are leaving. With comments like "Midwest was smart to back out, who would want to deal with you", I can only assume this means you would not want to deal with teaching my children, either. Your attitude and intolerance makes you part of the problem, not the solution.

To: Defacto Segregation on April 11, 2008 12:46 PM

"So in fact, it seems like the School Board was trying to create a white Neuqua and NSFOC was working to ensure that the School Board did not proceed with their "racist" agenda. NSFOC seems to have supported maintaining diversity in Neuqua, while the school board was trying to make Neuqua more white."
__________________________________

OMG, NOW YOU'RE TRYING TO PAINT THE SB AS RACIST? DO YOU PEOPLE HAVE NO SHAME IN WHAT YOU WILL SAY TO GET YOUR WAY?

BLAME THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR EVERYTHING ALL YOU WANT BUT THE MAJORITY KNOWS THE TRUTH. YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MINDS!!!

204 teacher

You proved me right. You are not a teacher. It's amazing that a teacher would have the time to post while school is in session.
What a fraud and a liar.

To Proud of Tall Grass and White Eagle:
I hope you enjoyed your ego trip rant-- I have a high position in my company as well. Rich is defined by more than your bank account balance. Your comments show how you've achieved your success, by "doing what ever it takes" whether is is moral, right, or truthful. You comments show what is important to you: money, percieved power, and belittling others. Disgusting.

To other bloggers, lets all keep in mind these are BLOGS. You can be anyone and write nearly anything on a blog. Most people participate in blogs for entertainment or to fish to see who gets upset, responds, etc. That said, I do think the blogs have helped keep people engaged on what is going on with in our community. Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and there should be discussion. I have seen some good discussion as well as the name calling.

My opinion, I think we need a 3rd high school. I think it makes sense to have a northern school, a central school, and a southern school. I think the voters demonstrated the need for a 3rd school. I think the use of the media and harrassing corporations in order to derail negotiations for land because it doesn't suit your personal agenda is wrong. I feel horrible for the kids who are immediately affected by all of this. They are at a really critical time in their development-- it is sad to hear their comments.

nsfoc plaintiffs,

What goes around comes around....
You reap what you sow....
Do unto others....
Be careful what you wish for....
It's what's on the inside that counts...
WWJD.....

Quick Civics lesson -
We have a judiciary because it is a right of all Americans to pursue a legal defense of their rights when they feel their rights have been violated through a law being broken.

NSFOC and their supporters obviously felt their rights had been violated by the actions of the School Board which they believe had broken certain laws, as laid out in their lawsuit.

No-one should knock NSFOC and their supporters for exercising their rights - that is a very American thing to do. In fact, if you criticize them for filing a lawsuit, then the criticism is unAmerican and potentially more appropriate in an autocratic country.

One may disagree with the content of their lawsuit and their position. Criticize that, criticize their conclusions, analyze the issues. Even that is useless because we have Judges and Juries in the judiciary that will rule on the merits of the case.

In the end, all this criticism of NSFOC, White Eagle and Tall Grass for having filed a lawsuit is wrong because the criticism in effect strives to take away an inalienable right of all Americans to protect their rights legally.

I would urge everyone to shift their focus onto more productive and appropriate topics - such as how to move forward and find a solution that works for the School District. The rest of this noise is exactly that - Noise!

Amazing how all the NSFOC people (or those supporting their views) are trying to rationalize BB as fast as possible.
"Maybe we can make do with only 50 acres"
"Let's try and get Cavalry Church land"

Proof again they will do anything to try and put the school in their backyard. The BB location ain't gonna happen.

The school board may have done some things differently in aquiring the BB property. However, the IPSD is now being held hostage by the NSFOC and the BB Trusts.

I'd expect as much from the BB Trusts and their lawyers. However, I would never have expected it from people I was proud to call fellow parents and neighbors in our own school district.

I call them neighbors because I live in TG, however I am considering moving because of the actions they have displayed towards everyone in the SD. It reminds me of when my kids were 3yo.

BTW...these main players of the NSFOC are mostly TG residents, yes it is true. I happen to know many of them.

204 Teacher

I read your blog and was sick to hear your view points. What type of venom are you spooning out to the kids in this district. Shame on you. You are clearly not one of the "good teachers" you speak of so please leave. Take your hate with you.

If residents have problems with a groups decision, and lord knows there are so many problems with this school board, it is their right to express their concerns. When that group ignors those concerns, and CLEARLY ACTS IN A WRONGFUL MANNER, it is their right to take legal action. That is what you should be explaining to "your students". Not filling their minds with ugliness.

I know many, many people around the district. Many people who live on the north side. Many people were troubled by the boards actions. If the board wanted to do this new land purchase the right way, they could have easily and quickly put another referendum up for a vote. They were to cowardly to do it and knew they would likely not have the votes to win (for the site)! Instead they tried to sneak it into being and shove it down our throats.

I ceretainly hope, 204 teacher, you do not teach ethics. If you do, God save your students!

By Ambulance Chaser Watcher on April 11, 2008 11:23 AM
Does anyone want to wager that attorney Shawn Collins continues the lawsuit so he can continue to collect fees and continue to appear in the newspaper?
.............................................................
I will try to keep it simple for you. I would bet Collins, eventhough I have not met him personally, will continue on with the lawsuit until it is resolved or his client tells him to stop. The lawsuit has not been satified just because MidWest Gen backed out of the deal due to Bad PR. You have no clue why lawsuits happen or how they get resolved do you? I am not an attorney but I have needed an attorney in the past to defend myself against someone taking my property and I thank god that we have people that can work within the law to resolve issues civily. So get a clue and try to at least sound educated. Have a great day!

. "I'm expecting to see at least 4 candidates from TG in the 2009 SB election - hopefully at least 3 from the NSFOC 9."...as posted by Dead Deal.

Now THAT would be CLASSIC!!! Thousands of people in this district have these people's names as well as their lemmings identities. Even people that don't have any interest in the whole school thing would NEVER vote for someone that just SUED them! That's the best one yet!That train left the station with Mr. Collins as the ticket puncher!

I did one of my medical school rotations in a psych ward and this reminds me of the delusional sociopath types. They can seem "almost normal" and then all of a sudden they'll say something so totally out of the realm of reality and you're reminded of their actual mental state.Sad.

By Southside Resident on April 11, 2008 11:32 AM
Post by 204Teacher at 6:33am was right on the mark...thank you.
...............................................................
Who teaches you idiots about this BS. Oh yeah you follow the SB. If you support our teachers teaching hatred towards others then I bet your the kind of person who also hates America and like what the terrorists due to right? What a bunch of retards. This is fun but hardly worth the time. You haters must be drinking from the same watering hole. Will you be leaving too?

NSFOC, thanks for caring so much about my children. Now that your lies have halted the solution for overcrowding at Neuqua and Waubonsie, lets all get to work to make sure your darlings don't have to be more than a mile from school or God forbid, attend Waubonsie. Your motives have been transparent from the start and you disgust me. Why don't you pool your money together to pay for the overpriced BB land.

To: Civics lesson on April 11, 2008 1:11 PM

I do appreciate your calm lesson in civics.

I dislike and disagree with the NSFOC and their lawsuit because I feel the boundaries are not their true intentions. If they would have paid attention at the SB meetings in 2005 and 2006 they would have heard the SB say again and again that they can only try to make these boundaries happy and that nothing was set in stone, especially if the BB property fell through.

It was refreshing to see no name calling by you. I do still believe you side on the NSFOC side (not just because of the civic lesson) but never the less I do appreciate your post.

I do agree with you that it is the right of every American to file a lawsuit or complaint. I also believe we can become too much of a litigious society and I feel the NSFOC has done just that because their intentions are wrong. That will be for a court to decide now. That is just my opinion and I know there are many.

Thank you again for your post.

What will nsfoc do when the church sells 204 22 more acres of farm land?

By NSFOC more work to be done on April 11, 2008 11:35 AM
Hmmmmm, now the NSFOC is throwing threats at teachers that post their opinions on this blog. Gonna go after teachers now NSFOC? Isn't it bad enough you've put a black mark on our school district enough?

Many teachers are talking about the NSFOC white, African American, Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian and Hispanic. Your motives are not hard to hide. You can try to make it about boundaries, driving distance, environmental propaganda all you want, but the rest of the district sees you for who you really are and what you stand for. It's quite a shame you may never get to experience WVHS and what a wonderfuly diverse outstanding HS it really is.

Throwing numbers around about how your neighborhoods are racially diverse is one thing, but filing a lawsuit to prevent your children from attending a high school because of your perceived ideas of a HS is quite another thing.
...........................................................
Maybe you need to go back to school and read. I am not part of the NSFOC and I have read every post and have not seen one post threating a teacher. I promissed to have them fired if I found out who they were because no school district would allow that type of comment from one of there teachers. Ask the SB in the next meeting if they are condoning thier teachers bash on others in the public they serve and speak out like that. These are public comments that create a PR nightmare for the SD. Absolutely pathetic that you can back such BS. So just direct your thoughts to me and not the NSFOC. I will keep you entertained and you will be able to keep practicing you hate filled little notes.

It must be said: the way the NSFOC chose to wage battle did damage to the community. It will be a pyrrhic victory at best. The strident lawsuit, the political pressure, the overblown claims, the five alarm language, all came across as just bad faith. Right or wrong, what people believe is that the real issue was self-interest about the boundaries. What they saw was a minority willing to say or do anything to get their way. What they feel is blindsided and bullied by less than honest people. What that means is that no one will trust those people to deal honestly on this issue ever again.

Why believe now that the same group would accept an "expert" opinion that disagreed with theirs? Why think that a referendum would not just bring on a reprise of the same ugly tactics? Why would we support the BB deal now (even if we did before)? Why support any deal that gives more respect to them and their interests than we feel like they gave to ours?

Good politics leaves room to reconcile. You can play hardball but you do poison the well. Maybe they knew that. Maybe they didn't care. But there will probably be no 3rd high school at all now because there is not enough good will left to do it. And the community will be quite a bit uglier for all of this. There should be a lot of shame about that.

Maybe there is no Matea and maybe the boundaries have to be redrawn. And maybe we all hope out loud that the NSFOC folks kids still don't get to go to Neuqua. Will you blame us?

To: Earth to SB on April 11, 2008 1:19 PM

"I will try to keep it simple for you. I would bet Collins, eventhough I have not met him personally, will continue on with the lawsuit until it is resolved or his client tells him to stop. The lawsuit has not been satified just because MidWest Gen backed out of the deal due to Bad PR. You have no clue why lawsuits happen or how they get resolved do you? I am not an attorney but I have needed an attorney in the past to defend myself against someone taking my property and I thank god that we have people that can work within the law to resolve issues civily."

__________________________________

In most instances I would agree with you. However, because Mr. Collins decided to take this case for a fraction of what he normally charges I believe his intentions are also selfish, much like his NSFOC clients. Come on he's an attorney who's goal is to grow his practice and make money for his partners.

You know darn well he saw this case playing out in the media right in his own backyard. He knew this case would pay him (in the long run) far more then the NSFOC could ever pay him.

So now in my opinion we have a lawsut from both the client (NSFOC) and the attorney (Mr. Collins) trying to take advantage of the IPSD for selfish reasons.

"In the end, all this criticism of NSFOC, White Eagle and Tall Grass for having filed a lawsuit is wrong because the criticism in effect strives to take away an inalienable right of all Americans to protect their rights legally." as posted by civics...

Civics,

You're right. I think the best approach is for ALL of us to countersue nsfoc because "it is a right of all Americans to pursue a legal defense of their rights when they feel their rights have been violated".

I feel they have jeopardized my referendum vote and citizen voice with their lawsuit against me and all of my fellow district residents.This action will be detrimental for our children.I feel that I will be subject to taxation without personal representation for this.

I agree. It is my "inalienable right as an American".Lawsuits for everybody!!!! God Bless America!!!!

There are those of you who don't believe we need a 3rd high school and rejoice in MW Gen pulling out of the deal. There remains a serious problem as a result: crowding at the middle school level. Scullen? Nearing 1500 students. Granger? Nearing 1300 students. Crone? Nearing 1300 students. What type of solution do you have for that NSFOC?

Without a 3rd HS, WV Gold Campus will not become the 7th middle school. The crowding will only get worse. Don't prepare breakfast for your kids because they may eat lunch at 9:15. Portable classrooms won't solve the overcrowded cafeterias, libraries, or locker rooms.

Remember, by law, we can't use the referendum monies for anything other than a 3rd HS.

Anonymous on April 11, 2008 11:18 AM

The law prevails that's how.

What the Elite 9 don't seem to understand, is that this little victory pales in comparison to the irreversible damage that this has done to the TG community. Everyone knows how difficult it has been for WE to overcome their negative perception dating back to the "Aurora address" saga. Those negative labels last forever.

Your property values will suffer and the negative sigma you and your children will have to live with, until the day you move away, are a far larger price than what you have just "won".

It's too late now... just remember you have no one to blame but yourselves.

NSFOC - you really need to stop with the Stonebridge support posts - Stonebridge does not support the tactics of the NSFOC. It is obvious to everyone - this is a NSFOC typical fraudulant post and it really makes you look bad (as if you could look any worse).

By LMAO on April 11, 2008 1:00 PM
To: Defacto Segregation on April 11, 2008 12:46 PM

"So in fact, it seems like the School Board was trying to create a white Neuqua and NSFOC was working to ensure that the School Board did not proceed with their "racist" agenda. NSFOC seems to have supported maintaining diversity in Neuqua, while the school board was trying to make Neuqua more white."
__________________________________

OMG, NOW YOU'RE TRYING TO PAINT THE SB AS RACIST? DO YOU PEOPLE HAVE NO SHAME IN WHAT YOU WILL SAY TO GET YOUR WAY?

BLAME THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR EVERYTHING ALL YOU WANT BUT THE MAJORITY KNOWS THE TRUTH. YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MINDS!!!

__________________________________

This is most definitely the school board's fault. They should all resign in disgrace.

And, can you turn the CAPS OFF! It's a little juvenile. That's how my third grader types. Somehow, he thinks it emphasizes his message. I keep telling him it makes him look foolish.

By 204Teacher on April 11, 2008 6:33 AM
I am a teacher at the high school level for District 204 and I am sickened by the events that have transpired. NSFOC, you are a disgrace. Every day I hear STUDENTS say that the district should just let your kids go to Neuqua so you will shut up and the school can get built. They know your real reasons are that you don't want your kids to go to school in a slightly older building with "black people." Again, STUDENTS are well aware of this--not only is it painfully obvious, enough of your members have admitted this "off the record." Now they see that your lies, bullying, and temper tantrums have caused a company to back out of a business deal, so as to avoid years of lawsuits from you if you don't get your way. Sadly, everyone knows you don't need the truth on your side...you have an ambulance chaser and and too much time on your hands to figure out how you can slander people and tie this up in court. Midwest was smart to back out, who would want to deal with you. I am not alone as a teacher who is planning to leave the district. My only complaint with the school board is that they have not done enough to throw this back in your faces and make the public well aware that you are simply RACIST. Good job NSFOC, you are for a FACT causing GOOD teachers to leave the district, suing and taking money away from the schools our children attend, and you have now stopped the construction of a new high school which would alleviate massive overcrowding issues with your LIES. Pretty ironic that CPS is trying to deal with children getting KILLED on their way to school, and you are whining about your kids possibly attending an older building. You would shut up tomorrow if you could go to Neuqua, meaning you DON'T care about the environmental and other lies you are spreading. I care about teaching kids and I feel I need to step out of this district to show that I don't approve of what the kids in our district are learning from this mess.
________________________________________________

204 Teacher

After reading this post, I'm praying that you are not one of my child's educators. How dare you call me a racist simply because of where I live.

Tall Grass and White Eagle (the two schools pulled out of NVHS) are two of the most diverse areas in the NVHS Attendance area. Pulling them out of NVHS will, in fact, decrease the minority population at Neuqua Valley.

Trying to make this a race argument is ridiculous. Why have you no anger at the leaders of this district that have managed to land us in this unfortunate spot.

If you had real guys, you'd post your name. I hope you do because the first thing I'd do if I had a child in your class is demand my child was moved far, far away from you and your hateful spew.

Enough with the quotes on April 11, 2008 11:50 AM

I don't think so, all the EW's (Eola Whiners)want are the FACTS AND TRUTH then I suggest they all get reading because I will be posting alot of the TRUTH.

QUOTE FROM SCHOOL BOARD:

"Beyond the practical reality lies the idea of simple fairness. We did the boundaries two years earlier than lnormal 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."

By Earth to SB on April 11, 2008 11:11 AM

"I am still waiting to hear from anyone in TG or WE that has made any racist comments or even comments about not liking people that attend WV. It is always and I repeat always some idiot like you telling people that is what was said but show me where one of my neighbors said such horible things. If it was my neighbor I will deal with them, but I doubt you can back up any comment you make.

By the way, you can tell I have time today to play. Bring on the game, cause that's all this BS is. Just a game. Do you really think the SB or NSFOC are watching intently to see what's next. This is just a bunch of people who have nothing better to do. Have fun."

I believe someone said something to the affect "My kids wear abercrombie, those kids shop at Kohl's." I am not sure where this person came from (though someone told me that they were from either TG or WE), but they were talking about their kids having to go to WV. If that is not an elitist statement, I do not know what is. And, yes I would consider that a horrible thing to say. What lesson does that teach our children? That if they are not wearing abercrombie (or driving hummers to school) that they should be looked down upon.

By define "success "... on April 11, 2008 12:40 PM
"All other haters:
Do you really think people who are successful in every aspect of their lives are going to sit around and get screwed by an incompetent school board? Think again. That's not how we got to the top of our companies and through medical/law school and started our own businesses. Get it?
Actually, we're all joking about how you must be mid-level management bc you have so much time to sit on these blogs and file selfish law suits. My husband wouldn't ever waste so much time on something as frivolous as this - and that's the real reason you were able to get midwest to back off - you guys have spent your days hounding Midwest and Linda Holmes and having lunch with Tim Waldorf at the Sun to get what you want. Without a doubt, this screams mid-level management - my husband has to deal with your types every day - anything to make yourself feel bigger than you are.

By Civics lesson on April 11, 2008 1:11 PM

Well said.

As a former student of District 203, I wish all of you people in 204 would quit your whining. I am now a property owner in 204, and I really can't figure out why all of you people are crying foul. When I was attending Naperville Central in the mid 80's, we did not have a pool or a theater. In fact, there was not enough space for PE classes, so at times, we were put on a bus at the beginning of the period, bused to Naperville North, changed into swimsuits, swam for 20 minutes, were expected to shower and change back into our street clothes, get back on the bus and be back to Central within the 53 minute class period. Yes, and all of this at times in the dead of winter. I survived just fine, went on to graduate from a Big 10 University, and have a Masters in IT and an MBA. High school is about friends not facilities. It's about the memories you have to look back on when those 4 years of your life help make you who you are as an adult. High School is about learning not only academics, but how to adapt to real life situations. What kind of example are we setting for our children when all we can think about is the material things. How about using the referendum $$ for tutors? To make sure that SAT and ACT scores are increased? It doesn't matter that my locker was rusty because it was 50 years old, it still worked to hold my books and jacket. People complain that WVHS has "lower income" attendees. What? That makes them worse students? They deserve the same chance that everyone else does. Public school, is just that. PUBLIC. Let the school board make the decisions, that's what they do. If you don't like it, consider a career change and get on the board yourself. The adults that are causing a stink are the ones that are going to have kids that cause a stink, because that's the example that's been set for them. My house has been within the WVHS boundry for all of the suggestions, I don't really care, my kids don't care, they just are tired of the drama. For all you out there who are fighting the school board, don't think for a second that your kids are not hearing about this from their friends.

Please look at the data.

The report card data with enrollments and minority numbers when analyzed clearly indicates that the Eola site would have led to Neuqua dropping over 10% in its minority enrollment while Waubonsie and Metea hover around 30%, almost 100% more minorities than Neuqua.

The data doesn't lie. Please don't take my word for it - look at the data for yourself.

This School Board was (intentionally or not) perpetrating defacto segregation and making Neuqua whiter.

We all owe our thanks to the NSFOC who (intentionally or not) prevented this racial defacto segregation from being perpetrated by the School Board.

To Civics lesson on April 11, 2008 1:11 PM--

Thank you for your post. If this blog contained more useful comments like yours and less mindless spewing, we would all be better off. Keep them coming.

Even without the Midwest Generation power plant land, the Eola site is still not appropriate.

Envirnomental pollution doesn't end at the fence. It is very likely the entire church property is polluted as well.

More importantly there are three high pressure gas pipelines which carry un-odorized natural gas at 720 pounds per square inch. The entire school is within the blast radius if even one of these pipelines were to explode - let alone three - which are right next to each other four feet below the ground. There are also 3 other pipelines by the railroad tracks which also pose a potential hazard.

The power lines pose a EMF pollution hazard. The railroad bordering the site also poses a hazard.

The state of illinois guidelines outline that school boards should not build on sites with such pipelines, EMF hazards or near railroads. The site would have been banned for schools in California and District 204 children deserve the same protection.

The School Board should simply walk away from the entire Eola site and find other solutions.

By who's taking who hostage? on April 11, 2008 1:16 PM
The school board may have done some things differently in aquiring the BB property. However, the IPSD is now being held hostage by the NSFOC and the BB Trusts.

I'd expect as much from the BB Trusts and their lawyers. However, I would never have expected it from people I was proud to call fellow parents and neighbors in our own school district.

I call them neighbors because I live in TG, however I am considering moving because of the actions they have displayed towards everyone in the SD. It reminds me of when my kids were 3yo.

BTW...these main players of the NSFOC are mostly TG residents, yes it is true. I happen to know many of them.
...............................................................
The hostage comment is funny. Since when has a pending lawsuit slowed the district down. If Midwest Gen didn't have a PR nightmare on their hands they would have stayed in the game and the SB would be "Fensing that baby off" as we speak. Why don't you talk with more of your neighbors and you will find that most have no clue about what is going on and don't care because they don't spend time reading these silly blogs. In fact I am on a few days off with nothing better to do than check out the blogs to see what entertainment I could find. Little did I know that there was a group of Haters bashing my neighborhood. Maybe you'll move, maybe you won't but at the end of the day you can stand for something or fall for anything. Don't let these blogs get you down. If you are just believing the negativity from a few blogers and you can't take it thats fine you are free to leave. I don't think TG or the NSFOC will miss you if they don't know you or know your upset. Come to their next meeting and tell them. Maybe they will continue to hold you hostage and you will have your own day in court. By the way, does it realy matter who is part of the NSFOC or where they live. Have you ever found out where every employee lives or who they are. Try calling any corporation today and demanding they tell you who they are and where do they live. There is something called the privacy acts that prevent that from happening. However, the SB are public servants not our boss or a corporation. They are in the public eye. Just a few thoughts. Have a great day.

Why is the NSFOC complaint no longer filed on their website?

Are they preparing a new one?

Why is it that holding the school board accountable to make prudent investments with our tax dollars that make sense for the 204 population today and over the next 10 years is perceived as vindictive? What if a school is built, millions are invested, and then issues arise regarding the safety of the land? What if after the next 3 years, the population in the district does not justify this expenditure? Why is slowing down, reevaluating project costs, reconsidering potential school sites, and studying new data on population trends a bad idea since the landscape has changed dramatically since the referendum has been approved? Hitting the accelerator on poor planning never results in positive outcomes.

What bad result can come from delaying this critical initiative until proper analysis can be done of ALL the viable alternatives?

It would be nice to see less hatred and petty name calling and more productive discussion about solutions that work for the entire district.

Man, you people crack me up.

For months now, you've been frothing at the mouth, calling the School Board and teachers union everything from inept to sinister to criminal.

So what happens when 204 Teacher returns some of the fire, calling out a group of self-centered obstructionists? You cry, you threaten, you whine, you roar.

How do you manage to survive with such paper-thin skin?

Grow thyselves up.

By Tall Grass Resident on April 11, 2008 2:20 PM
Why is it that holding the school board accountable to make prudent investments with our tax dollars that make sense for the 204 population today and over the next 10 years is perceived as vindictive? What if a school is built, millions are invested, and then issues arise regarding the safety of the land? What if after the next 3 years, the population in the district does not justify this expenditure? Why is slowing down, reevaluating project costs, reconsidering potential school sites, and studying new data on population trends a bad idea since the landscape has changed dramatically since the referendum has been approved? Hitting the accelerator on poor planning never results in positive outcomes.

What bad result can come from delaying this critical initiative until proper analysis can be done of ALL the viable alternatives?

It would be nice to see less hatred and petty name calling and more productive discussion about solutions that work for the entire district.

_______________________

Clap, Clap, Clap... Thank you for posting this.

A 150 million dollar project that will impact the residents, students, administrators and taxpayers of this district for years to come is worth slowing down over. While I realize land is drying up in the district, surely this is worth evaluating as thoroughly as possible.

Stop pointing fingers at each other. Let's all hold the school board and administration accountable for making the best decision possible.

By JK on April 11, 2008 1:27 PM
NSFOC, thanks for caring so much about my children. Now that your lies have halted the solution for overcrowding at Neuqua and Waubonsie, lets all get to work to make sure your darlings don't have to be more than a mile from school or God forbid, attend Waubonsie. Your motives have been transparent from the start and you disgust me. Why don't you pool your money together to pay for the overpriced BB land.
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If we are over crowded now we should have had this little discussion a few years ago and we would have had the school built already. But wait the SB said we did not need a new school during that time. And now here we are. NSFOC does not need to pay for it, the SB that said they would and passed a referendum will. Just like they said they could before they thought they would try to force the BB guys to sell at a discount. Where were your cries about lawyers and lies when the SB was taking BB to court. Metzger just wasn't as bright as you gave him credit for. Nobody's perfect, so we can't fault Mark or anyother SB can we. They are wasting all of our tax dollars now. The NSFOC is trying to slow the flow of money down to a slow leak so it can be patched. Maybe we can find a place that will work where we have a need like where the student population growth is taking place. Not on the other end of town on a sight that has known polutants. Come on.

Why is it that the amended complaint is no longer available at the link posted on another one of these blogs?

to: SB Quotes on April 11, 2008 1:56 PM

Why do you insist on quoting the same stuff that's been quoted countless times? WE GET THE PICTURE!

Also, it would be nice if you were creative enough to actually have your own thoughts instead of resorting to quoting others.

Somebody, please, get some new material!

QUOTE FROM MIDWEST GEN.:
"That opposition, McCluskey said, includes Neighborhood Children for Our School's lawsuit against District 204, but also the lobbying of public officials, and a "grass roots effort that has disseminated incorrect, misleading, and potentially harmful information" about both District 204 and Midwest Generation.

"Consequently, it is our opinion that continued negotiations and the potential sale represent a threat to both the business interests and reputation of Midwest Generation.""

---------------
Libel Defamation: Is a fixed statement (look at NSFOC site)printed or published electronically about a corporation (Midwest Gen.) if a false statement affects the business integrity, credit or solvency.

Midwest Gen. can, should and probably will pursue this with NSFOC. I hope your 8 homes are in a Trust if that umbrella policy isn't sufficient in covering the defamation lawsuit against you. Oh, and by your public response to 4/10's announcement, you have conceded to their statement.

By Mr. Collins is a Snake on April 11, 2008 1:37 PM
To: Earth to SB on April 11, 2008 1:19 PM

"I will try to keep it simple for you. I would bet Collins, eventhough I have not met him personally, will continue on with the lawsuit until it is resolved or his client tells him to stop. The lawsuit has not been satified just because MidWest Gen backed out of the deal due to Bad PR. You have no clue why lawsuits happen or how they get resolved do you? I am not an attorney but I have needed an attorney in the past to defend myself against someone taking my property and I thank god that we have people that can work within the law to resolve issues civily."

__________________________________

In most instances I would agree with you. However, because Mr. Collins decided to take this case for a fraction of what he normally charges I believe his intentions are also selfish, much like his NSFOC clients. Come on he's an attorney who's goal is to grow his practice and make money for his partners.

You know darn well he saw this case playing out in the media right in his own backyard. He knew this case would pay him (in the long run) far more then the NSFOC could ever pay him.

So now in my opinion we have a lawsut from both the client (NSFOC) and the attorney (Mr. Collins) trying to take advantage of the IPSD for selfish reasons.
.........................................................
This was the most civil exchange I have had all day and I appreciate your honesty. The fact that an attorney makes money by representing them is not new and we can all find many professions that we would not do or could not do. The fact that he is an accomplished attorney is no reason to slam him for making a living doing what he does. That's like me tell you that I don't like people who mow lawns so by god their all bad and overpaid and are hurting all of the SD. Fortunately I don't think that way and I happen to think they both have a great place in our community and they should both keep doing what they should. The SB has got themselves into this and they will need to fix it. Not the NSFOC. Isn't Metzger or other SB members attorneys too? I thought I heard that.

I’m getting real tired of people saying we have 5 high schools in the district to accommodate/fix the overcrowding situation. First off, WV is slated to lose its Gold Campus in 2009 and return to a middle school to help with the overcrowding in the middle schools. And second, there are only around 300 kids currently enrolled in the Frontier Campus through COD and I don’t think there’s room for many more. Frontier only has a handful of classrooms in that building, not the entire building. That will definitely NOT solve the overcrowding issue.

Also I don’t think using portables for 15 or so years until the population starts to drop a solution either. Some how I don’t see those portable classrooms lasting that long with the constant use year after year. Besides that, WV doesn’t even have room for portables.

Please do not read any further posts by “Earth to SB.” After reading the first few, I was sickened. Such a person does not deserve a voice in this process, and we should not allow him/her that voice. It is literally up to us whether such vitriolic banality is allowed to spread freely – if we don’t give it any heed, then we can limit the detrimental impacts it brings.

I will heed my own advice. I understand that politics is brutal – it always has been, all the way back to the founding of this country and beyond – but anonymity and a powerful ego breed a particularly viral strain of violent disrespect, and we need to stop allowing ourselves to be “entertained” by vicious rants like those of “Earth to SB.” There is no “value” to them beyond entertainment, and there are so many other things – non-destructive things – we can do to entertain ourselves … and our children.

With regards to the issue at hand – our infamous 3rd high school and a besieged and beleaguered school board – I understand some of the arguments that have been made on both sides. Unfortunately, “truth” has very often been tailored to support positions, the ends supposedly justifying the means. Sensationalism has been employed, too, apparently with effect, and an “us-vs-them” mentality has been used to berate and belittle with single-minded focus. I also recognize the presence of an aristocratic entitlement attitude in the mix. Entitlement, too, has a very long history in this country, and I myself am not without guilt: I see myself having those feelings sometimes, too, and there are probably instances I don’t even recognize myself giving in to them. I will keep fighting those feelings, however.

That said, I am not willing to hate somebody just because they think (and are perhaps correct) that they are better than me – otherwise, I would have to hate an awful lot of people. I know several families in both Tall Grass and White Eagle, I’ve coached some of their kids, and I know them to be good people. They want good things for their children, as I do for mine, and I know they wouldn’t want to walk over my children for the sake of their children – that’s not who they are. I would guess there are some people in our district (not just in TG or WE) who would be willing to purposely sacrifice the welfare of others to secure their own – such is a fact of life in the real world – but I don’t think I know any of those. (Perhaps I have chosen my friends wisely, or maybe I’ve just been lucky.)

We are a little disappointed that the new high school probably won’t be built right next to us. That would have had its advantages. On the other hand, we’ll have a freshman at Waubonsie next year who likely won’t have to switch schools as a sophomore now – that has its benefits as well. We’ll be happy to send both our children to Waubonsie, as long as the district continues to provide an excellent education to them there. We worry about lots of things, but we’re not worried about our children attending Waubonsie vs Metea vs Neuqua. We’ll be okay.

By the way, we live near those ballyhooed gas lines – about as close to them as the school would be, in fact, and I’ve never been worried about it. I’m still not worried about it. We can paralyze ourselves with fear in this world if we want to, but I’m not going to watch videos of pipeline explosions and then work myself into a paroxysm of panic. I know the pipelines were installed under strict guidelines and that there are self-interested people out there overseeing them who don’t want them to “blow up.” If perchance the pipelines explode and wipe out me and my family – well, what should I have done differently in buying my house? It’s a nice, comfortable home in a good neighborhood and has served us well for the past eight years. I can’t put my family in a bubble and protect them from everything that might go wrong in this life. Of course I’m not going to do foolish things that would significantly raise our risks, but would anyone say we shouldn’t have bought our home in the Concord Valley neighborhood because of the remote risk of a natural gas pipeline explosion nearby? Our insurance company hasn’t said that, and they’re highly sensitive to such things. So, I have to allow a certain level of trust and do the best I can for my family.

Good luck to us all as we work with our elected representatives to resolve the issues. I’m grateful we’re not in a place like Tibet or Zimbabwe or North Korea, where the voice of the people is not heard, and where many people end up either dead or crippled for trying to speak up.

Mike House
Aurora, IL

I keep seeing all these posts saying that the district should/could buy some of the AME piece. At what price? What if it ends up costing more than Brach-Brodie due to the Brach-Brodie settlement?

In case anyone has forgotten, the district owes Brach-Brodie $3mn for legal fees plus somewhere between $0m and $40mn in damages UNLESS IT BUYS THE BRACH-BRODIE PROPERTY!

What if Metea is halfway built and then ends up having to be torn down because a judge finds the board guilty of bait-and-switch electioneering? Please remember, it is not just the NSFOC that has sued the board on those grounds. The Brach trust has sued on those grounds as well. Unless the board buys the Brach-Brodie land, the case is likely to continue and be tried in about a year. There are enough novelties to this case that it could continue on appeals for years.

I am not sure if we should really build a third high school. I think that question deserves a thorough 6-month study and another referendum at this juncture. However, while I suggest the district should slow down on the 3rd HS in light of current situation, I think it is pretty clear that the district needs to buy the B-B property immediately at the jury price. The purchase amount can come out the district's $93mn in reserves, which is about $60mn in excess.

Buying the B-B property immediately will get rid of 2 of the 3 lawuits. Most importantly, buying the property gets rid of lawsuits with parties who have deeper pockets and better lawyers than the district. If the district decides not to use the B-B property for a high school, it can keep it as an investment. That piece of property is going to be worth a lot more than $600k per acre ten years from now. In the interim, the district can continue to lease it out as a farm.

By Win the battle - Lose the War on April 11, 2008 1:47 PM
What the Elite 9 don't seem to understand, is that this little victory pales in comparison to the irreversible damage that this has done to the TG community. Everyone knows how difficult it has been for WE to overcome their negative perception dating back to the "Aurora address" saga. Those negative labels last forever.

Your property values will suffer and the negative sigma you and your children will have to live with, until the day you move away, are a far larger price than what you have just "won".

It's too late now... just remember you have no one to blame but yourselves.
...............................................................
I can look out my front window, drive down the street and talk to any of my friends and family spread out over the district and I haven't felt any negative irreversible damage. Infact, I have been asked if it is really that rough. I tell them, yea, I fear for my life everyday because the haters might just cross over some imaginary line and try to do harm to me. Just kidding, I have never been asked that question and neither has any of my neighbors come running over to tell me how upset they were because someone judged them without knowing them. So what ignorance is everywhere and we all just live with it. So I guess I will blame myself for being so selfish wanting to live in TG/WE/Stonebridge. That's the areas I looked into and just liked the house better here. Bo-ho.

From the Sun: In a written statement NSFOC leader Jasmine Grassi released upon hearing the news, she said, "NSFOC has always believed that this site was not a safe place to build a school."

Sorry it wasn't about the safety until the boundaries were made. If that was the case the word "Neighborhood" should have never been used in their name. If it was about "safety" then why wasn't that word used anywhere. Please call a spade a spade.

Not everyone in this district is as naive as those who gave you $204.

Re: Earth to SB Post at 1:26pm:

Most of the blogs I find useful but there are always a few like yourself that do nothing but attack others who blog and voice opinion.

It is you that are hateful and certainly not one I'd consider patriotic. In my view 204Teacher stated what many of us "well off and educated outside of TG" have seen all along by this small group within NSFOC. Call it like it is.

By the way, don't challenge my patriotism..I was called to Nam when you were likely in diapers and put it all on the line...and in an environment where we knew no color boundaries. I'm thankful everyday for the diverse group of people I fought with. I also have two children, one graduated from NV and the other WV. Both went on to graduate from good colleges. It's sad for such a fine town as Naperville to have such a small group influence such a decision for so many who feel differently.

Signed...retired and well off citizen on the southside.

Send Whine Eagle and Small Grass to WVHS to balance the schools and give us back the money from the referendum.

Still not in an affected area for the moment

My observation is that anti-NFSOC or those being against anyone fighting against the Eola site, are from North neighborhoods who once stood to benefit ( out of WVHS themselves? shorter commute themselves?) with the Eola site, regardless of its economic, transportation, and environmental ludicrousness. Funny, because all of the things "they" are accusing certain neighborhoods of being or acting, - reflect exactly how they are coming across to those who are living outside both of these sections of 204 (like myself). And they are coming across as being a lot more emotional, less fact based and less educated or having less business or negotiation suave (sorry - it's proof in the hundreds of blogs I have read) - the grammar and language, lack of facts, lack of credible arguments, ignoring the point, a few threats, calling people names or labeling for lack of anything better to argue with, and selective hearing of the facts. I do not see see this in the 99% of the blogs that were written by those who wanted did not wan the Eola site.

Anti-NFSOC blogs use a lot of emotional arguments and name calling, trying to stir up things where there isn't any basis (e.g. racism in TG/WE being any different or at a level higher than any of the other neighborhoods of 204)

On the flip side, the blogs coming from those who are either anti-SB, pro-NFSOC, are from the badly affected South and/or anti New school have thoughtful, well written, well thought out arguments, devoid of idiotic emotional comment.

I do now think that pro-Eola site, (a.k.a. anti TG/WE), are at their desparate, frustrated hour, and are venting with some of the most ridiculous blogs I have ever read, and no one with any head on their shoulders is giving much credibility to these rantings except thinking they are from desparate people without any credible facts to over turn what is inevitable - no Eola. The few - Brookdale, Ginger Wood, Stonebridge - still choosing to ignore how the SB acted, to ignore what was fundamentally wrong with the Eola site, and how ridiculous it is to think that only nine regular people stopped something from happening that made sense (not), was in the best interest of the 204 tax payer (not), had no serious environmental issues (not), and was what the majority of the district wanted (not). Obviously there were fundamental issues wrong with what the SB was tryin gto jam doen our throats for the sake of saving face after bumbling public meetings, bumbling fiancial and enrollment disclosures and my favorite - failure to abide by and optimize their own boundary criteria.

But Why?
Here's the link to the "amended" nsfoc complaint...unless yet another one has been filed :)

http://www.savefile.com/files/1484367

To: Defacto Segregation on April 11, 2008 2:05 PM

"This School Board was (intentionally or not) perpetrating defacto segregation and making Neuqua whiter.

We all owe our thanks to the NSFOC who (intentionally or not) prevented this racial defacto segregation from being perpetrated by the School Board."

_____________________________

Attention Everyone!!! The NSFOC has saved us from children eating dirt under 3 inches of concrete. The NSFOC has saved us from a pipeline blowing up.

Now, the NSFOC has prevented racial defacto segregation??

Maybe the NSFOC can take on AIDS in Africa and hunger and world peace next.

You NSFOC supporters are so blinded by your own selfishness it's disturbing.

To: Tall Grass Resident on April 11, 2008 2:20 PM

It's in the way those chose to do it. "BB property or nothing". That means no HS for anyone if it isn't on the BB property. That's not what we voted for. They could have handled it a lot differently with more class. Instead they chose to hide behind propaganda and scare tactics, instead of the real issue why they want the school at BB.

"still not in an affected area for the moment"...:)Cute.

By Not a member of the vocal minority on April 11, 2008 1:59 PM
By Earth to SB on April 11, 2008 11:11 AM

"I am still waiting to hear from anyone in TG or WE that has made any racist comments or even comments about not liking people that attend WV. It is always and I repeat always some idiot like you telling people that is what was said but show me where one of my neighbors said such horible things. If it was my neighbor I will deal with them, but I doubt you can back up any comment you make.

By the way, you can tell I have time today to play. Bring on the game, cause that's all this BS is. Just a game. Do you really think the SB or NSFOC are watching intently to see what's next. This is just a bunch of people who have nothing better to do. Have fun."

I believe someone said something to the affect "My kids wear abercrombie, those kids shop at Kohl's." I am not sure where this person came from (though someone told me that they were from either TG or WE), but they were talking about their kids having to go to WV. If that is not an elitist statement, I do not know what is. And, yes I would consider that a horrible thing to say. What lesson does that teach our children? That if they are not wearing abercrombie (or driving hummers to school) that they should be looked down upon.
................................................................
Come on. Someone overhearing something about clothing. You gota be kidding me. Just show me one blog, one article, one writen comment anywhere that came from TG, WE, NSFOC, or any other area against WV that way. Even if there was a verbal comment I would not have tollerated it myself but at least I could understant what context it was in if I heard it my self. "I heard" one comment once from on ignoratant person who may or may not have been from TG or WE doesn't cut it when you are all bashing our community. I don't know to many kids in my area that have their children going to schools in Hummers. I have never heard of of someone talking down to someone else from WV either. Like me, today, I am tired of all the TG and WE bashing so I am spending a vacation day blasting back but you don't see me bashing. I am reacting to other blogs.

Hi Mike House of Aurora,

Have you been to North Korea, Tibet or Zimbabwe ? Or have you read their news, talked to their people ? I think not ! Why you did not hear other people's voice is because you never tried to reach them, intentionaly ignore them or so self-righteous and brain-washed by biased media.

Now let us come to the point of new high school. You said you live side by side with gas pipes and can still sleep during night. Well you are tough, aren't you ? You may want tell those people living near Three-Mile plant many years ago about the "strict guidelines" so they can feel more comfortable. Guideline is drew for people to follow, but human error or mother nature can not be contained by your "guideline", so why take that risk if you have other options ? We make our daily decision based on common sense and measured risk management -- I may let my kids walk to school two blocks away through my subdivision, but not across a busy road, this is common sense. If you and other people insist that other people in our district to take the same risk you would like to take, you make hugh mistake because we will not.

Again, between the options of safety of our children and a little bit money for a safe site, you picked money over children's safety. I wish you can tell that to your kids.

This whole mess is absolutly disgusting. I have heard from several people from TG and WE that they would be ashamed to have their kids go to Waubonsie. Well fine. I say split the district. Let the spoiled little rich brats go to their overcrowded NV. Then NV families will have to only B**** about other NV people. And the rest of us could get our kids the school they need!

Where to start with the culprits on this unmitigated disaster:

1. The Board refuses to negotiate with BB, and hires attorneys and consultants who are thoroughly "out-lawyered" by the BB plaintiffs. For this effort, taxpayers get to pay millions of dollars in legal and consulting fees. When I queried the Board on the cost of this debacle they can't or won't answer. Last time I looked, we pay all of 204 expenses. Meanwhile BB still is entitled to millions in damages for the diminished value of their property.

2. The NSFOC group is a joke. They and their attorney manufacture outdated and inaccurate legal/environmental theories to intimidate 204 and Midwest. This is to keep their children from being exposed to middle class and poorer students, and, heaven forbid, children of other races. Nice lesson for your kids.
Once again, the District attorneys are slow to respond and again "out-lawyered" by a sole practitioner plaintiff's attorney. Anyone notice a pattern here?

3. As regards folks that preach slow down, they are not facing the prospect of having their daughter do split shifts at WVHS in a trailer home. This school should already be built. I believe quick and decisive action should be the mantra at the Board, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

GlobalCitizen, I HAVE lived in third world countries - fortunately, not the ones named. I know a little about what I speak, though granted, I wouldn't call myself an "expert."

You assume that I have expansive resources, so that I have lots of "other options." We had sticker shock eight years ago moving here from Nevada, and ended up in a good place that we could afford. The schools are significantly better here, by the way, than what we experienced in Nevada. We would love to move to a bigger home - for the sake of having a bigger home - but we don't have the money. Does that make us lesser people than you? Does it make us less intelligent? Maybe, but I hope not.

How in the world did my post get your blood boiling? Why are you jumping so blindly to judge? I don't get it.

And I should add that "Earth to SB" isn't the only offender on this blog. I've seen lots of truly nasty posts from both "sides" of the issue. It's unfortunate to say the least. I'm trying to filter some worthwhile nuggets out of the more prevalent detritus, but it's getting difficult.

Mike House
Aurora, IL

By Mark on April 11, 2008 2:28 PM
Man, you people crack me up.

For months now, you've been frothing at the mouth, calling the School Board and teachers union everything from inept to sinister to criminal.

So what happens when 204 Teacher returns some of the fire, calling out a group of self-centered obstructionists? You cry, you threaten, you whine, you roar.

How do you manage to survive with such paper-thin skin?

Grow thyselves up.
.............................................................
The reason some of us got upset was the fact that we understand what a teachers job is. It is not to call the public they serve racists or teach hatred. It has nothing to do with being self-centered. I am not part of the NSFOC but am a supporter in the community because of the SB's actions. I don't agree with the SB myself and have felt they disregard me just because of where I live, and now I have a pathetic self proclaimed teacher telling me I and my neighbors are racist. Not someone anyone would hire for a teaching role. If you know diferent point out the principle that would knowingly hire such an idiot. I will show you a school not performing where it should. I bet you can't or will not. Not paper thin. Just standing up to pathetic racist comments which anyone with half a brain can tell you is wrong. But you support that teacher don't you. Tells the story. Others will call for that teachers job if she or he announce who they are, just like any corporation or school system. Maybe this is the attitude that allows all of the idiots into the schools that molest children that we see on the national and local news stations. Not good.

To:GlobalCitizen on April 11, 2008 3:26 PM

I grew up in South Central PA during the time of the Three Mile Island crisis in the late 1970's. We lived about 15 miles (as the crow flies) from TMI. I have even swam in the Susquehanna River, just south of where TMI is.

I imagine that you've likely never visted this are of the US as it is quite lovely, vibrant with a growing population and good employment prospects.

Nobody I know from that area of PA has 3-heads, or any other health issues as a result of living close to TMI.

And, for the record, that was a REAL crisis. Not an imaginary one you're creating for dramatic effect.

There seems to be a lot of posts on here blasting the non-NSFOC supporters. I am amused by the ignorance of thinking that they must all be from the north side of the district. There are a lot of us in the south that wanted the Eola site to go forward because we want a third high school. NVHS is over crowded and our children are getting cheated out of the best education a school district can provide. So NSFOC, if you think you can claim victory for all south siders, you are poorly mistaken (or ignorant). Granted, if the school is built at eola or BB, my kids stay at NVHS. But we need a third HS and victory is the last thing the NSFOC should be claiming today.

If the manner in which you bullied Midwest Gen is a lesson you are teaching your children, then I wish them the best of luck when they enter the real world (post graduation - don't want the pro-NSFOC supporters twisting this into a threat)and realize that there is always a bigger bully. Someone will always have a better lawyer and deeper pockets.

To the TG bashers, please be careful. If the property value of one subdivision falls, all area subdivisions tend to fall. If they want to buy full page ads to highlight a lousy school district (NSFOC opinion - not mine), we need to band together to offset such a horrific self mutilation that will hurt us all.

Mike House:

How DARE you come on to these blogs and make a reasonable, non-incendiary, thougtful contribution to the dialog ! AND you have the gall to use your own name! Outrageous!

This blog is only for flames and tirades by the uneducated, uninformed and unprincipled who are ready to hide behind anonymity to sling insults.

Your statement "I am not willing to hate somebody just because they think (and are perhaps correct) that they are better than me." Says volumes about you and your motives. They are OBVIOUSLY unselfish!

Thank god people like GlobalCitizen are out there to post an unwarranted attack on you for having an opinion!

You do not belong on these blogs. Go back to your gardening you FREAK.

;)

By MH Aurora on April 11, 2008 2:46 PM
Please do not read any further posts by “Earth to SB.” After reading the first few, I was sickened. Such a person does not deserve a voice in this process, and we should not allow him/her that voice. It is literally up to us whether such vitriolic banality is allowed to spread freely – if we don’t give it any heed, then we can limit the detrimental impacts it brings.
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Mike, Don't bother reading this. You seem to be a very bright guy. My writing certainly does not measure up to your level of impressive vocabulary. You would talk about restricting my voice but allow your neighbors to continually bash on others. Your nuts. Use your talent to support something positive and not the group you are defending for all the hatred. I am happy that you chose to buy a home there. I also know people in your area and am not afraid to go over to there homes but that was not an arguement that I have brought up. I simply am having a good time responding to all the hate-mail from the nuts out there. Enjoying my day off with nothing better to do. Don't read any of these blogs if you are looking for any great information. Ask anyone and they will tell you this is not the place to get news or solve problems. There are only two guys on the blog that I would care to here debate and they don't bash on anyone, or try to silence someone. This is not the Soviet Union.

Earth to SB, if all the swing voters would of voted yes the first time around the school would have been completely finished by now. But no that was not the case because selfish voters whether they live north, south, east or west would not vote until they new where the school was and wanted to make sure their kid didn't have to go to school with possibly my kid.

All those in big homes were worried about their taxes. Which makes me wonder if they can really afford their current tax bill. Word of advice, live within your means and you don't need to worry about anything. They were worried that high taxes would be bad for resale. Well guess what, you screwed yourself with your stupidity. No new school, split shifts, mobiles and still high taxes. Anyone with a HS degree would be smart enough to stay out of this market.

Thanks to them we had to stall the whole process which has added more $ to the expense of the building between legal fees, rise in building materials, land, etc. Since day 1 this third HS has always been about boundaries. Funny how it wasn't that way when NV was built. You didn't see any fighting over boundaries then.

So in reality your selfish vote was over the placement versus the need. Do us all a favor, please never step into a voting booth again.

To So Silly at 11:08

"Do you honestly think that by repeating something over and over and over that it makes it true?"

Why not? It seems to have worked for the NSFOC!

from today's daily herald website.

August 2007: School board President Mark Metzger accuses state Sen. Linda Holmes, new sponsor of the quick-take proposal, of delaying the legislation unless the district changes its high school boundaries for two subdivisions. The legislature, locked in an overtime session budget battle, never votes on the measure.
>>>>>>>>>
Taxpayers should not need a lawyer to look into official misconduct but Miss Vicker's comments about when Midwest Gen started getting cold feet coincide with Linda Holme's admitted conversation with Midwest Gen.

I am SO TIRED of hearing that the NSFOC group are racist!!! How ignorant can you be???!!! I challenge any of you to find more diverse neighborhoods in Naperville than, tall grass OR White Eagle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take a drive through the neighborhoods you are attacking and YOU WILL SEE DIVERSITY that don't even exist in your own neighborhoods.

I have read most of these comments but I have yet to read anyone say that they'll be running for a seat on the school board. I do not always agree with the decisions that they made but these people do the best they can as VOLUNTEERS. I have been involved with the district since my oldest in kindergarden as room parent, parent volunteer and PTA President and there have always been those who never are there to help, just complain about how thinGs are run. I hope when the School Board members seats come up for election all of you who have been whinning about them will be running if not SHUT-UP. Put your money where yout mouth is.

To;By Earth to SB on April 11, 2008 3:58 PM Another bad post - our teachers here are not our servants. Your choice of words speak volumes - "servants"

An earlier responder stated it was the way in which NSFOC went about accomplishing their goal that has people upset.

If people agree a slow down makes sense, why was it okay to pressure through on a questionable site with an undefined limitless budget without doing new population forecasts and financial forecasts? I am thankful that the NSFOC was a catalyst to "hit pause" in this very inmportant process. Important for the quality of the education received in 204, important to the property values of homeowners in 204, and important to the fiduciary duty the SB has to their constituents who will bear the tax burden of these critical decisions.

Honestly, there was no reasoning with the school board to slow down and take a step back. Several Naperville citizens pleaded for this at the many school board meetings that discussed this issue. These requests were met with silence and more forward motion on the grand plan to cram a new school on any piece of real estate that they could in order to meet the commitment to have a 3rd school open by the Fall of 2009... never mind that it would have been a skeleton school with dreaded modular classrooms, no varsity sports, minimal facilities and amenities.

So what approach would you have recommended? Sitting back and allowing the school board to move further down a path that jeopardized more of the districts budget with contractual obligations that waste our resources, only to find out that not enough thought and strategy was applied early on in the process.

By Southside Resident on April 11, 2008 2:54 PM
Re: Earth to SB Post at 1:26pm:

Most of the blogs I find useful but there are always a few like yourself that do nothing but attack others who blog and voice opinion.

It is you that are hateful and certainly not one I'd consider patriotic. In my view 204Teacher stated what many of us "well off and educated outside of TG" have seen all along by this small group within NSFOC. Call it like it is.

By the way, don't challenge my patriotism..I was called to Nam when you were likely in diapers and put it all on the line...and in an environment where we knew no color boundaries. I'm thankful everyday for the diverse group of people I fought with. I also have two children, one graduated from NV and the other WV. Both went on to graduate from good colleges. It's sad for such a fine town as Naperville to have such a small group influence such a decision for so many who feel differently.

Signed...retired and well off citizen on the southside.
............................................................
No one should question your patriotism and doubt anyone would think about that. By small group do you mean the few on the SB that make all the bad decisions and make comments about the public they serve. Pick your side carefully. Think about how this all came to be. It started way before NSFOC. But I like how everyone gives them the credit. Just funny. By the way I am young and well off if that is ok to say. I work hard everyday and have decided today to take a day off to blast back at the stupid racist comments and hatred. Have a great night.

Moderator HELP!

Cant you do something about Earth to SB? He/She is a real wacko! And is not contributing ANYTHING of value. And I am on the same side of the issue!

I realize the bar is set pretty low on these blogs for appropriateness or staying on topic........ but I mean...........REALLY!

Yo Earth, you want examples of NSFOC racism? Here are two from this very blog.

Proud of Tall Grass and White Eagle on April 11, 2008 12:23 PM

Defacto Segregation on April 11, 2008 12:46 PM

There are more, however, I'm hopeful that these two examples will satisfy you.

Thank you for playing. Your time is up.

So Terri

Let me ask you VOLUNTEER at large... If you are in office and you make arrogant mistake after mistake, what would be the course of action to remove you??

Or are we stuck with you b/c you were kind enough to "help" by volunteering??

Kinda scary that we can bad mouth Bush, but not the judgement and decisions of our local school board!

Here we go with the NSFOC bashing again, can’t you folks just say thank you the NSFCO for getting Midwest Generation to withdraw form the sale-if NSFCO was the reason for the withdrawal. What landowner would not want to sell their land for millions of dollars, don’t you think that perhaps there’s something in that land Midwest Generation don’t want to disclose or be held liable for in the future. So, just say THANK YOU to NSFOC, don’t be so ungrateful, and let move on to BB.

To:By a mom in tall grass on April 11, 2008 4:26 PM
Here's a little advice. So not to "look" crazy (even though you might be by your posts) you should refrain from using all caps and 20 exclamation points.

Moderator Jim to Please: I understand but I also think that individual poster has been rebutted well by other bloggers. There's a lot of emotion out there. I think maybe everyone needs to chill out a little.

To mom in tall grass on April 11, 2008 4:26 PM

What you fail to see is that the argument is not totally about the color of someone's skin. It mostly has to do with 9 rich people and their supporters hiring a lawyer (because they have the means to do so) and sticking it to the middle income people because they didn't get their way. Interestingly enough, some of those rich people doing the sticking are indeed people of color (ain't America great!). We can debate whether it's racism or classism. I think people on this blog are, for the most part -- there are some exceptions on both sides, using the terms interchangeably.

People against the NSFOC are not ignorant racists. They are peeved over losing the latest bout of class warfare.

By District 204 Parent on April 11, 2008 3:39 PM
Where to start with the culprits on this unmitigated disaster:

1. The Board refuses to negotiate with BB, and hires attorneys and consultants who are thoroughly "out-lawyered" by the BB plaintiffs. For this effort, taxpayers get to pay millions of dollars in legal and consulting fees. When I queried the Board on the cost of this debacle they can't or won't answer. Last time I looked, we pay all of 204 expenses. Meanwhile BB still is entitled to millions in damages for the diminished value of their property.

2. The NSFOC group is a joke. They and their attorney manufacture outdated and inaccurate legal/environmental theories to intimidate 204 and Midwest. This is to keep their children from being exposed to middle class and poorer students, and, heaven forbid, children of other races. Nice lesson for your kids.
Once again, the District attorneys are slow to respond and again "out-lawyered" by a sole practitioner plaintiff's attorney. Anyone notice a pattern here?

3. As regards folks that preach slow down, they are not facing the prospect of having their daughter do split shifts at WVHS in a trailer home. This school should already be built. I believe quick and decisive action should be the mantra at the Board, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.
........................................................
1. Correct.
2. A few people may have made comments about not wanting to go to WV. Understable after all the bashing from them lately, but before today's 204 Teacher rant about TG and WE being racist you would have had no material on this one. Even the reference to NSFOC being a joke is wrong. They proved they are not a joke already and are willing to take this SB to task. They are concerned parents for their children and have taken a great interest in thinking through many issues the SB has overlooked in their hast. All there posts seem to have back up reference materials, so just because a person said they are incorrect does not make it so. Midwest Gen is the one under the spotlight due to their dealings with a SB who could not deliver as promised. A PR nightmare for any Energy Company. Don't kid yourself. And yes the SB needs better attorneys or to stop believing they are smarter than everyone else.
3. Slowing down after all the BS the SB has put this community through is not a bad suggestion no mater what side their on. Split shifts was one of the threats against TG and WE to get the vote. If you all feel we are already so over crowded then let's get into the split shifts now. Not a smart decision but when has the SB done the smart thing?

Enough with the quotes on April 11, 2008 2:37 PM

Again, you want facts here are the facts. I will keep posting material so that everybody can see it is the School Board who is the problem and always has been. No one else, just the School Board.

to : By VSon on April 11, 2008 4:38 PM
Here we go with the NSFOC bashing again, can’t you folks just say thank you the NSFCO for getting Midwest Generation to withdraw form the sale-if NSFCO was the reason for the withdrawal. What landowner would not want to sell their land for millions of dollars, don’t you think that perhaps there’s something in that land Midwest Generation don’t want to disclose or be held liable for in the future. So, just say THANK YOU to NSFOC, don’t be so ungrateful, and let move on to BB.

>>>check out this earlier post:

to : By Anonymous on April 11, 2008 4:22 PM
from today's daily herald website.

August 2007: School board President Mark Metzger accuses state Sen. Linda Holmes, new sponsor of the quick-take proposal, of delaying the legislation unless the district changes its high school boundaries for two subdivisions. The legislature, locked in an overtime session budget battle, never votes on the measure.
>>>>>>>>>
Taxpayers should not need a lawyer to look into official misconduct but Miss Vicker's comments about when Midwest Gen started getting cold feet coincide with Linda Holme's admitted conversation with Midwest Gen.

>>>>>>
Midwest Gen was not hiding anything. You can not argue with scietific (objective - non-biased) testing. There are other sites that they intend to do business at across the state and need legislature approval. Linda Holme's can stall approval of those plans...just look at what she is suspected of doing to the quick take measure in the state house. Illinois politics at its typical finest.

The only group of people who would like to put their own interest above the safety of our children in this great district are from one northern subdivision: Brookdale. In last referendum, I voted NO to the new high school because I still had doubt about enrollment data our SB provided, which had been proved false many times before. But I respected and still respect the fact that many parents want to have a new high school. Here I would like to challenge any one to post the voting record of Brookdale on last referendum -- I bet they voted NO 99% and for only one reason: they failed to move out of their "beloved" WV high school in new boundary map. Now when the Eola site is on table, most people from Brookdale become the most vocal proponents of the new high school, interesting change of heart, right ?

Pros of Eola site:
Only one: it is in Brookdale's backyard. They can move out of WV at last as they wished after a good school's reputation is tarnished.

Cons of Eola site:
Many:
1. It is harzardous. Remediation takes money, time and result would be uncertain. High risk to children's health.
2. SD lost big money in BB lawsuit due to SB's strong hand handling of the situation.
3. Transportation cost and longer bus time to most students across district.
4. That is NOT we and you voted for !

I am outraged at they way people have assumed things about Tall Grass and White Eagle or any other neighborhood who did not agree with the Eola Site. It was a bad site period. The school board needed to slow down and take a step back and I am glad that NSFOC helped bring alot of questions to light.

I have friends whose kids go to WVHS and NVHS they are both fine schools so please pro-board bloggers quit trying to make this into something it is not. Our kids deserve a good education at a Safe Site. There are facts to back up this site that have been published in the papers. Maybe we should look to the School Board to finally get back on track. The School Board started down the wrong path now maybe we can get back to saving taxpayers money instead of spending it foolishly.

To the mother in tall grass you should really consider who the ignorant one is. If you can honestly say that the most diverse neighborhoods are Tall Grass and White Eagle, I challange you to spend a day in WV but not even WV but drive around the boundaries of district 204. And that means actually going through the areas with secion 8 housing. Or just think of how other people live thier lives that don't live in tall grass or white eagle or any of the other subdivisions, think of the programs that are available to students who can't even afford to pay for their lunches or any of their student fees.
In your everyday life you encounter people that are from a range of ethic backgrounds and are from families that make millions of dollars and people who can't even make enough to support themselves. NV is by no means a true representation of the people you run into on an everyday basis. I believe that it's what you learn and experience through education that helps build your character and really shape who you are. And if it's the environments you learn in that effect that who you are then I feel then I'm better off being a WV grad.
The only peoples opinion that should really matter in this situation is the students. Understandably you all want a good education for your kids but you can't say that one school in this district gets a better education than the other because it is the same curriculum.

to Tall Grass Resident.

with all due respect, the school was going to open up in the same manor that the district opened up NVHS. There would not be varsity athletics the first year since there would not be any varsity students. Opening up the school with just freshmen and sophomores would be the least disruptive to students currently in the high schools. Only the freshmen class of 2008 would be subject to a change of schools during their high school years. The following year, the school would have freshmen, sophomore, and junior class since the previous year's eigth graders would now be freshmen, freshmen would be sophomores, etc. This was the plan for MVHS regardless if built at eola or at BB.

I don't know where you got your information that the classrooms would be moduler or would have minimal facilities and amenities. That is incorrect. The school would be built in the same mold as NVHS was built. The school plan was the same for MVHS regardless if it was built at eola or BB.

If you received this information from NSFOC, we understand thier tactics are to mislead and misinform.

To: Anonymous "still not in an affected area for the moment".

I disagree with your assertion that all those opposed to NSFOC live on the North side. I live south of 75th Street. If the school had been built on the BB site, my daughter would attend there. If Metea is built on the Eola site, she'll attend Waubonsie. All 204 schools are excellent schools. I'm embarassed by the actions and attitude of NSFOC.

I don't agree with those that claim NSFOC is racist. I do think they're economic bigots, wanting their children only to associate with other wealthy children. That's sad. How will their children learn to have compassion for others, and to appreciate what they have?

Incidentally, I'm fairly certain my income exceeds the vast majority of WE/TG residents. It's not jealousy driving my comments. Actually, the fact that most NSFOC supporters "look" like me - white and wealthy - exacerbates my embarassment.

TO: Proud of Tall Grass and White Eagle on April 11, 2008 12:23 PM

You are so trivial that nobody even bothered to respond to your self-absorbed rant. I guess if that's being "successful in every aspect of your life" I'd rather have mine.

In case you hadn't noticed you don't have to be "rich" to live in WE or TG. Many people - like the rest of the City and the Country for that matter - make TONS more than folks in WE and TG and don't brag about it and spew hatred to anyone who contradicts what they have to say. You naturally "assume" that if someone doesn't agree with you that they must not make as much as you, live in a house similar to yours or have the same level of education as you.

That, my dear, speaks volumes about you and your twisted sense of a self-worth and self-importance.

TO: By Anonymous on April 11, 2008 3:34 PM
This whole mess is absolutly disgusting. I have heard from several people from TG and WE that they would be ashamed to have their kids go to Waubonsie. Well fine. I say split the district. Let the spoiled little rich brats go to their overcrowded NV…
----------------------------------------------
Interesting post, if someone from TG/WE posted garbage like this you and your simple-minded bloggers would be all over it with the name calling and finger-pointing. I live in TG but I can tell you I’m not rich-not by a long shot, I work just as hard as you to keep things going, my kids are by no means “spoiled little rich brats” who don’t want to go to WV. When people read comments like this what do you think they’re thinking of you. Here is what I though: high school drop-out, uncultured, self centered, prejudice, narrow-minded, unsophisticated… By the way, the word “absolutely” has an “e” in it.

Teri at 4:26, that's a nice thought, but I can't believe this NSFOC group would ever consider running for a seat on the school board. It is much easier to simply look after their own self-interest rather than think about what's best for the district.

Now that this is over (for the time being, at least), they will receed back into their little bubbles of self-satisfaction and myopia.

But this is indeed, as someone else point out, a Pyrrhic victory at best. The black eye this district has received will not heal quickly. People will hesitate to serve on the Board, or do business with the district. And they'll have trouble hiring good teachers and administrators (I know for a fact that teacher turnover in 204 is much higher than in 203 -- despite higher wages -- because teachers don't like the atmosphere).

Hope the folks in WE and TG are happy tonight.

Good luck, all.

By Anonymous on April 11, 2008 4:18 PM
Earth to SB, if all the swing voters would of voted yes the first time around the school would have been completely finished by now. But no that was not the case because selfish voters whether they live north, south, east or west would not vote until they new where the school was and wanted to make sure their kid didn't have to go to school with possibly my kid.

All those in big homes were worried about their taxes. Which makes me wonder if they can really afford their current tax bill. Word of advice, live within your means and you don't need to worry about anything. They were worried that high taxes would be bad for resale. Well guess what, you screwed yourself with your stupidity. No new school, split shifts, mobiles and still high taxes. Anyone with a HS degree would be smart enough to stay out of this market.

Thanks to them we had to stall the whole process which has added more $ to the expense of the building between legal fees, rise in building materials, land, etc. Since day 1 this third HS has always been about boundaries. Funny how it wasn't that way when NV was built. You didn't see any fighting over boundaries then.

So in reality your selfish vote was over the placement versus the need. Do us all a favor, please never step into a voting booth again.

.............................................................

Boy you are full of assumptions aren't you! I voted yes both times and I would again. I do believe we could use another school but proper urban development, puting the school where the population needs it would be a smarter thing to do. Not on the far end of the District causing this kind of rift. I don't like the new boundaries myself because I don't like driving that far everyweek or everyday when my neighborhood can walk to school now. My kids walk everyday because both of thier parents work. Surprise, surprise. Work hard and aspire to live in a nice area and get called a racist. Great area. I took a very active role in trying to work with the SB for several years and found them to be arrogant. One example: I was adressing the SB at an open meeting and asked Crouse if the safety of our children was a consideration for the placement of a new school and he said no, and proceeded to tell me off. Great times. The reason I asked is because under the plan that they proposed at the time, it forced many schools to be bussed across many major intersections and the DOT stated in their report that they would not recommend it due to safety concerns. The SB didn't even check the report. What a bunch of idiots. This SB is the same. Do what you can to put down the people with the questions. You are assuming I am selfish somehow but you don't know me. The only thing that tells me is that you are ignorant. Don't take offense to that we all are in some ways because by definition it is the act of not knowing. You are clearly in that camp. Have a great night.

Anonymous on April 11, 2008 4:18 PM wrote the following:

"if all the swing voters would of voted yes the first time around the school would have been completely finished by now. But no that was not the case because selfish voters whether they live north, south, east or west would not vote until they new where the school was and wanted to make sure their kid didn't have to go to school with possibly my kid"

You bring up an excellent point about voters wanting answers slowing down the process. But I think it had little to do with "going to school with your kid." Actually, I think it had more to do with voters being mad about the hoaky $20mn technology fund than mistrusting the school board about the 3rd HS or racism or anything else.

Speaking for myself, I was naive back in 2005--I trusted everything the school board said blindly and I voted for the 3rd HS. It never occurred to me that a school district would blatantly misrepresent enrollment and cost data to the public the way this district did. It never occurred to me that a school board would draw boundaries so as to protect their own neighborhoods, but that is exactly what this board has consistently done. In fact, I have seen nothing but a stream of lies & manipulations by Clark, Metzger and the whole rest of the lot since I started paying attention after that failed referendum of 2005. My guess is that the district's long-time residents knew the board much better than I did, which is why the referendum failed in 2005.

For the record, both referendums failed in DuPage County. Both passed in Will County by a wide margin. The reason the 2nd referendum passed is because turnout in Will County was much higher the second time around. I bring that up in case you think that 'selfish' voters in big houses in south Naperville caused this whole problem by not passing the 2005 referendum. The real story is that angry taxpayers in DuPage County killed the first referendum, thereby setting the district back by tens of millions of dollars and several years. Personally, I do not blame those angry taxpayers of 2005. Turns out that they knew the tendencies of IPSD204 Board much better than the new-comer residents of the district residing in Will County. I will never trust a single decision this district makes ever again--at least not until the entire board has turned over.

I would like to see the following school board: Mayor of Naperville, Mayor of Aurora, Mayor of Bolingbrook, Illinois traffic coordinator for Naperville region, Naperville Park District Superintendent, IPSD204 Superintendent, one PAID at-large president chosen by voters. Having lived in the east, where school district boundaries follow town lines, I just do not understand why this area has school districts that span across multiple towns and counties. The end result of having these mega-districts is school districts that don't talk to other branches of government and that are led by incompetent, self-dealing amateurs. A highly paid mayor with her job and political future on the line does not allow the kind of shenanigans in a school system that we have seen in IPSD204. But with the present system, the volunteer school board can squander millions of the district's dollars with no repercussion, all for the hope of seeing their house value rise $50k.

Looks like a lot of sour grapes, and looks like you underestimated the power of the NSFOC (9 people did all of this...WOW!).

NSFOCfraud...you can huff and you can puff, but you need more than hate and vile to blow the house down! Looks like the big bad wolf is sitting in a hot of boiling water and dinner is being served.

Perhaps NSFOC should be appointed to run the District in that these 9 people sure are effective (did more in 6 weeks than this Board has been able to do in years and years).

NSFOC...a sincere thank you for standing up for what is right and speaking for so very many of us, even in the face of a lot of hate and self interests from up North and from Dr. D and Mr. Metzger!

Midwest Gen...thank you for having the courage to make the right decision for our community (we appreciate doing the right thing here).

So Terri

Let me ask you VOLUNTEER at large... If you are in office and you make arrogant mistake after mistake, what would be the course of action to remove you??

Or are we stuck with you b/c you were kind enough to "help" by volunteering??

Kinda scary that we can bad mouth Bush, but not the judgement and decisions of our local school board!

you must be an idiot!!!!! these people are elected if you don't like what they are doing get off you a#@ and do something about it.Run for the school board it is not a life long appointment.

By Anonymous on April 11, 2008 4:27 PM
To;By Earth to SB on April 11, 2008 3:58 PM Another bad post - our teachers here are not our servants. Your choice of words speak volumes - "servants"
............................................................
I stand corrected. They are not in the business of bashing on parents in our community either. Good to clearify. What volume does it speak? As I was going through college my professor never once taught me to talk to the public that way. In fact I was told that as a teacher you could be fired for that kind of remark. Lesson in Common Sense. Chose to correct that teacher you ninny. Stand up for what is right. If you think that 204 teacher's post wast right you must have a miserable life too.

By cb on April 11, 2008 5:13 PM
To: Anonymous "still not in an affected area for the moment".

I disagree with your assertion that all those opposed to NSFOC live on the North side. I live south of 75th Street. If the school had been built on the BB site, my daughter would attend there. If Metea is built on the Eola site, she'll attend Waubonsie. All 204 schools are excellent schools. I'm embarassed by the actions and attitude of NSFOC.

I don't agree with those that claim NSFOC is racist. I do think they're economic bigots, wanting their children only to associate with other wealthy children. That's sad. How will their children learn to have compassion for others, and to appreciate what they have?

Incidentally, I'm fairly certain my income exceeds the vast majority of WE/TG residents. It's not jealousy driving my comments. Actually, the fact that most NSFOC supporters "look" like me - white and wealthy - exacerbates my embarassment.

_____________________________

I think it's pretty telling that you are pompous enough to believe that you know the salaries and skin color of many you have never met?

What are you smokin' cuz I'd like some? I'd like to be as full of myself as you are.

By That was quite a reaction! on April 11, 2008 4:35 PM
Yo Earth, you want examples of NSFOC racism? Here are two from this very blog.

Proud of Tall Grass and White Eagle on April 11, 2008 12:23 PM

Defacto Segregation on April 11, 2008 12:46 PM

There are more, however, I'm hopeful that these two examples will satisfy you.

Thank you for playing. Your time is up.
........................
Were is the racist comment. To be proud of TG and WE for being diverse is racist now? By stating what the SB has done by changing the Boundaries is now Racist. Give me something that we said against someone a group in a negative way like your Teacher friend, or stop the dialogue with me. Your time never started.

I would just like to say that my daughter was a little sad when she heard her middle school would be split - she was slated for Metea at Eola and a lot of her friends would go to Waubonsie. So the recent news is not all bad for her. As always, we will rise to the occasion.

My children attend Neuqua Valley. People of Dist 204 Let's work with our school board to do what is best for all the kids of 204. No matter where a third school is built somebody is going to be unhappy. You can't please everyone. BB is out of the question and Eola appears to be out now, so let work to find a new site and get this over with or just scrap it and build additions to WV and NV. Whatever happens, we need to work together as a unified community.

To: Anonymous on April 11, 2008 2:01 PM

Right On! I am in senior management and so I live in TG too. It is so laborious and aggravating dealing with these mid/low level management types and the rank-and-vile worker drones. I am highly successful in every aspect of my life and you are dead right that I am not about to get screwed around by these wage slave school board people or anyone else. I didn’t work this hard fighting to the top of the chain to let those unable or unwilling to claw up for themselves think they have a say. When you’ve hacked your way through the teaming masses of ineffectual and inadequate humanity and made it to the top then we can talk. Until then just keep quiet and mind your place.

BB is THE one and only place to build our new HS! And it better be what I paid for too!

Well said CB!

The chants have already started!

School at Eola or no school at all! School at Eola or no school at all!

Knock, knock....
who's there?
Banana!

Knock, knock....
who's there?
Banana!

Knock, knock....
who's there?
Banana!
Banana Who?

Orange...orange ya glad that the NSFOC was there to stand up for our rights (get it Brookdale...get it???).

Bring the shirts back out...School at Eola or no school at all! School at Eola or no school at all!

This message has been brought to you by the folks at District 204 headquarters who feel that a divided community is the only way in h%^& that the folks won't notice what nimkoompoops they are!

Seriously, these folks in charge of our district could not a subway restaurant***

***disclaimer...I did not mean to offend or defame anyone who runs a subway restaurant by putting the school administration officials in the same category as you. It was meant for satirical purposes and it is obvious that your talents are vastly superior than the 204 officials. I apologize for any offense that this may have caused.

Now back to regular programming...

I think we can still make the Eola site work without needing MG. For those of you who are familiar with out HS ball fields, is it possible to do away with one of the baseball fields and one of the practice fields just west of the school (not exactly what they are called) and move the tennis courts into that area. If we do that we could possibly make it work, but of course that is only if removing those fields is possible. Since I don't have HS kids yet I don't know if this is an option.

My oldest is in 6th grade and the last thing I want is him going to an overcrowded, split shift, mobile classroom HS. For what I've been paying in taxes for over 18 years I feel my kids deserve the same quality of education and classrooms that I have been paying for all these years. I don't care what school they go to I just want 3 HS.

Sorry but I voted for a 3rd HS (not boundaries) and I want it. So if I don't get it does that give me the right to sue the NSFOC for blocking this.

SB slanderer...So you are "O-F-F-E-N-E-D" by my comments. Not sure what that means, but it must be really awful for you since you have spent your entire day on this website personally attacking people who disagree with your rants. I have successfully taught for many years and no one has ever demanded my job. However you feel entitled to do so because you are angry. Sounds very similar to the tactics of a certain group. I would be happy to leave my name, however I refuse to subject myself or my family to same type of wrath that has been directed at the school board, Daeshner, Midwest, or anyone else who disagrees with this group. It isn't worth it to me to risk having a full page attack ad taken out in the Naperville Sun as a personal insult. I don't know who lives in White Eagle and Tall Grass. I don't care to know. According to the kids at school this has divided those subdivisions as well, because NSFOC is truly an obnoxious minority and an embarrassment to their neighbors. What I do know is that those who are derailing the construction of a new high school would drop the issue if it turned out that their kids could attend Neuqua or the new high school. They don't want Waubonsie, and there are nothing but self serving, misguided, and close minded reasons for it. Do I necessarily agree with the kids--not entirely, I know the issue is a bit more complicated. However, students call it how they see it, and aren't afraid to do so, and aren't worried about getting sued by people who make a hobby out of suing people who disagree with them. Every day I hear students say that these people are obviously just mad because they don't want to go to Waubonsie. Whether you think it is right, correct, or otherwise, this is a general concensus of students in the district as well as the silent majority. I really wish I could tell them they are incorrect, that our district hasn't been torn apart, that we aren't in the middle of a legal nightmare that will go on for years--but I can't. I have been waiting and worrying about this making national news-- if it does, the court of public opinion wont hold back either, and our town will likely face hatred because of those who feel entitled. Look at the majority of schools in this country. A great many parents would feel extremely fortunate to have their children attend a school like Waubonsie. This will be my last post. As my original post states, I intend to teach in a district which isn't being sued by its own residents. Kids deserve a much better setting.

SB attacker, I really have to wonder what your blood pressure must be. Maybe you should have that checked. According to your own post, you are fuming about having to drive your kids a few extra miles to sports practice...not sure how you justify demanding that over 8000 children be packed into overcrowded schools on a daily basis so as to avoid a potential inconvenience on your part, but your own comments will suffice in making my point.

I bet you're proud of your income. Congratulations.

The people that are so intent on making the members of NOFSC out to be racists need to be informed that this group is of multi national origins and not all reside in the TG and WE neighborhoods. Believe it or not there are actually people in our district who care about the use and misuse of our tax dollars. The lawsuit was filed to ensure the safety of all of our children and yes it was fueled by the total disregard the SB showed for every resident of this district when it made decisions without regard to the public.

Honestly look at the proposed transportation costs. More bus routes but no additional cost to the district? Losing the eminient domain suit after continued assurances from our SB that there was NO way we could loose!

Look at the ever changing enrollment figures. That by the way, still don't account for the 600 frontier students.

and now the arrogance that assures us that there is no way BB will win its suit against us! Even if they don't get another cent this district owes them 3M for their lawyers (and growing) 2.5 for the lost deal. Oh and by the way the account for the costs of all the land always includes the 6.8M we already spent for the 25 acres at BB but don't forget we have to SELL that in this market to someone for building costs - they are spending money we aren't sure when will get?

I'm sorry I'm not a distrusting individual and having served on boards before, I do understand that not all information is made public nor should it be but this has become almost comical. The SB needs to realize that what they have done to this district is not an acceptable means to any end. And no it isn't entirely the SB's fault - cuz you fool the public once shame on you, you fool us twice SHAME ON US!

Yo Earth

My mistake. I used the word racist when I should have used elitist for the one item. My bad. But at the end of the day, what's the difference.

I notice you didn't rebut my other item. Game, set match, baby!

Let's be honest, does anybody believe the Midwest Gen property will be sold, subdivided, and houses built on those 38 acres? If you do, I'd challenge you to be the first to build and move your family there. Wonder what those deeds would have had on them, maybe a liability waiver?

Remember, it was the Niagra Falls board of education that purchased Love Canal property from Hooker Chemical and absolving Hooker from future litigation in the deed. TMI Jimmy Carter declared it a federal emergency in 1978.

Oh yes, I put 100% faith in my elected leaders (NOT!)

Moderator Jim to Democracy Advocate: Though it would entail a complete overhaul of the system, I found your comment on the composition of school boards to be incisive, insightful and very positive. Thanks, and I hope you continue to contribute to this blog. Where so much vitriol is being batted back and forth, you offered a ray of rational sunshine. Thanks.

Wow tough to weed through all the static on this thread. We have the normal venom but now we have racist, classist, socioeconomist, and Im sure a ton more "ists" on blogs I skipped entirely.

I thought this thread was about; where to we think this is going to wind up and where do we go from here?

Democracy advocate (from your post): "I would like to see the following school board: Mayor of Naperville, Mayor of Aurora, Mayor of Bolingbrook, Illinois traffic coordinator for Naperville region, Naperville Park District Superintendent, IPSD204 Superintendent, one PAID at-large president chosen by voters."

This is very intriguing. It eunsures adequate geographic representation from accross the district and there are some checks and balances due to their other positions (since our state does not yet have a recall statute for elected representatives). I have a feeling most would not be to phyched to sing up for more work at the current pay rate of zero for a board member (other than Steven of course). It would be GREAT if we could swing it.

This leads me to the question: should the board seats each be assigned to a "geographic district" to ensure adequate geographic representation? How about in addition to this; Institue some level of pay for each of the elected positions? We currently owe the BB trust lawyers 3 million and counting. That money would have gone a long way!!!! We could pay our board members as well as institute a bonus structure based on specific, quantifiable, and measureable measurable goals in the areas of fiscal responsibility, Educational Excellence. Maybe a cross section of PTA's and PTSA's and taxpayers accross the district to set those goals.

I know, this does not help us in the "here and now" but I have already posted on the here and now on the other thread. your post really intrigued me. Thanks Democracy advocate; for the great post!!

By Naperville Sun editors on April 11, 2008 6:58 PM
Moderator Jim to Democracy Advocate: Though it would entail a complete overhaul of the system, I found your comment on the composition of school boards to be incisive, insightful and very positive. Thanks, and I hope you continue to contribute to this blog. Where so much vitriol is being batted back and forth, you offered a ray of rational sunshine. Thanks.

_____________________________

I agree Moderator Jim!

That was a very insightful post. If only it could become a reality.

Justice!

The SB was out of bounds trying to make this land purchase instead of figuring out how to make BB work as proposed for the last vote. The timing of the "Facts" letter just prior to letter sent by Midwest stepping out was fits right in with the roller coaster ride this has been for all of us.

Hope they will NOW do the SB will do the right thing and purchase the necessary acres from BB, get a new plan and this time put it to vote, or all resign and let others figure it out and put it to vote or buy BB.

A bummer it took a lawsuit to stop this, though I believe it was the right thing to do to stop the left turn taken by the SB.

By 204 parent on April 11, 2008 9:13 AM
It seems everything comes full circle and all parties' actions based on their own self-interests have back-fired! Dist 204 does not need a 3rd high school in the first place. It's time the school board members take this opportunity to turn things in the sensible direction. If not, they should all resign.

--------------
Umm....I posted using this name earlier on April 10th 7pm and this was not posted by me, just another parent using my handle with an opinion I do not agree with.

Tis is a quote from Earth to SB in response to an earlier post:

"...we understand what a teachers job is. It is not to call the public they serve racists or teach hatred."

Then, a few posts later, this is what Earth to SB says:

"Who teaches you idiots about this BS."

"What a bunch of retards."

Talk about calling names and teaching hatred! All of the posts by Earth to SB shows him/her to be not only judgmental, but uneducated. Poor grammar, misspellings, illogical thoughts, slamming anyone who dares question you. Quit while you're ahead...

By Very Well Said! on April 11, 2008 5:49 PM
To: Anonymous on April 11, 2008 2:01 PM

Right On! I am in senior management and so I live in TG too. It is so laborious and aggravating dealing with these mid/low level management types and the rank-and-vile worker drones. I am highly successful in every aspect of my life and you are dead right that I am not about to get screwed around by these wage slave school board people or anyone else. I didn’t work this hard fighting to the top of the chain to let those unable or unwilling to claw up for themselves think they have a say. When you’ve hacked your way through the teaming masses of ineffectual and inadequate humanity and made it to the top then we can talk. Until then just keep quiet and mind your place.

BB is THE one and only place to build our new HS! And it better be what I paid for too!
..............................................................
Why do I think this sounds more like the ignorant bloggers pretending to try to sound like someone in TG. Get a life you idiot. No one in TG is like that at all. But where ever you are from must be miserable. You must be related to your teacher friend calling all of us Racists. Did you even have to think or is that what you believe?

I see Moderator Jim was also very intrigued by Demoocracy Advocate's Post. Do I feel a new thread coming at some point in the future?

To Earth to SB.

Yes all those comments were completely inappropriate and in no way were made by a teacher. Have you EVER met a teacher that was not completely appropriate with thier comments? That is taught in Teacher 101. I would find it incredible that a teacher would really make that post, even in an anonymous manner. The emotion in the posting is especially uncharacteristic of a teacher.

You can't believe most of these blogs. Don't think twice about it, it was meant to evoke reactions not intelligent discussion.

By 204Teacher on April 11, 2008 6:23 PM
SB slanderer...So you are "O-F-F-E-N-E-D" by my comments. Not sure what that means, but it must be really awful for you since you have spent your entire day on this website personally attacking people who disagree with your rants. I have successfully taught for many years and no one has ever demanded my job. However you feel entitled to do so because you are angry. Sounds very similar to the tactics of a certain group. I would be happy to leave my name, however I refuse to subject myself or my family to same type of wrath that has been directed at the school board, Daeshner, Midwest, or anyone else who disagrees with this group. It isn't worth it to me to risk having a full page attack ad taken out in the Naperville Sun as a personal insult. I don't know who lives in White Eagle and Tall Grass. I don't care to know. According to the kids at school this has divided those subdivisions as well, because NSFOC is truly an obnoxious minority and an embarrassment to their neighbors. What I do know is that those who are derailing the construction of a new high school would drop the issue if it turned out that their kids could attend Neuqua or the new high school. They don't want Waubonsie, and there are nothing but self serving, misguided, and close minded reasons for it. Do I necessarily agree with the kids--not entirely, I know the issue is a bit more complicated. However, students call it how they see it, and aren't afraid to do so, and aren't worried about getting sued by people who make a hobby out of suing people who disagree with them. Every day I hear students say that these people are obviously just mad because they don't want to go to Waubonsie. Whether you think it is right, correct, or otherwise, this is a general concensus of students in the district as well as the silent majority. I really wish I could tell them they are incorrect, that our district hasn't been torn apart, that we aren't in the middle of a legal nightmare that will go on for years--but I can't. I have been waiting and worrying about this making national news-- if it does, the court of public opinion wont hold back either, and our town will likely face hatred because of those who feel entitled. Look at the majority of schools in this country. A great many parents would feel extremely fortunate to have their children attend a school like Waubonsie. This will be my last post. As my original post states, I intend to teach in a district which isn't being sued by its own residents. Kids deserve a much better setting.

SB attacker, I really have to wonder what your blood pressure must be. Maybe you should have that checked. According to your own post, you are fuming about having to drive your kids a few extra miles to sports practice...not sure how you justify demanding that over 8000 children be packed into overcrowded schools on a daily basis so as to avoid a potential inconvenience on your part, but your own comments will suffice in making my point.
...........................................................
A person misses one leter in the word "offended" and you can't figure it out. You have been teaching a long time! It certainly is about being close to the school you attend. You actually get better parent involvement when it is convenient to go to and from the location. I don't see any statistics that say driving a few extra miles helps gain anything. No one was insulting other teachers or student at WV as I have pointed out many times today. You on the other hand want to stir the hatred in your own community by putting words into peoples mouths and telling everyone we are racists. You think that is appropriate for a teacher to say about the community. I would think if your school new you were making public comments like that, they would ask you to leave. I would not tolerate that type of ignorance in a school my child attended. I would be first in line asking for your resignation. Yea, I wrote a lot today on my day off and had a lot of fun responding to all the hate mail that was pro-actively hitting TG. The exchanges were all me responding to someone else's bashing of TG, WE, NSFOC and others because someone needed to set the tone that we would not put up with this kind of bashing. By the way my bp is great. Thanks for being concerned. This is great times. I voted yes and am not part of any lawsuit or on the SB that can't make logical business decisions. The only entitlement I think I have is to knock down all these rediculas Blogs today. The people I responded too did not just disagree with my opinion they were greatly offensive by actually siding with you that whole subdivisions are racist. I could care less about who goes to WV as I am sure there are a lot of great people there, but you are not one of them regardless of how long you have been working at the school. Length of service is no excuse for your public comments. People get fired everyday in the real world for saying things so outlandish about others they have never met. I hope you decide to leave soon so you don't infect others with you ignorance. Again, no one said that WV was not a great school on these blogs but your little group of basher and haters love to say those bad things about your own school. Makes me wounder why you would keep repeating all the bad comments. Have a great night.

By That was quite a reaction! on April 11, 2008 6:43 PM
Yo Earth

My mistake. I used the word racist when I should have used elitist for the one item. My bad. But at the end of the day, what's the difference.

I notice you didn't rebut my other item. Game, set match, baby!
....................................................
What are you playing the I'm dumber than you game! I have been at this all day trying to set a record responding to haters. I think this is fun. I wish I was a kept man so I could do this everyday. Elitist. Boy I have come up in the world. I just moved here from another area and lived in a much smaller home. I thought that since my wife is hispanic I might escape the title of racist for the day. Since my wife and both work, I thought maybe just maybe I could get out of the elitist title too. Boy, I see these titles are reserved just for the neighborhoods of TG and WE. What a bunch of idiots. I love the fact that people are bothered that anyone would blast back and tell it like it is. Some have even asked to silence me from the blogs. I agree I add no value but I would also say that there is only two guys on these blogs that really add any value. I would stop bashing and just communicate with them if you want news or actual facts and figures. They pretty much cover both sides very civily. Thanks for the sport.

By Earth to "Earth to SB" on April 11, 2008 7:32 PM
Tis is a quote from Earth to SB in response to an earlier post:

"...we understand what a teachers job is. It is not to call the public they serve racists or teach hatred."

Then, a few posts later, this is what Earth to SB says:

"Who teaches you idiots about this BS."

"What a bunch of retards."

Talk about calling names and teaching hatred! All of the posts by Earth to SB shows him/her to be not only judgmental, but uneducated. Poor grammar, misspellings, illogical thoughts, slamming anyone who dares question you. Quit while you're ahead...
.............................................
You are so perfect. I think calling someone an idiot for agreeing with a teacher that is calling whole subdivisions racist elitists is more appropriate than calling someone a racist. Yes I would like you to try to break my record of blogs responses in a single day and see if you can do better. Who cares anyway about grammar or misspellings on a blog. Almost every one of them have errors but you SB supporters love pointing out the little mistakes instead of looking a the big elephant in the room. Responding to negative comments that are targeted at whole groups by calling them idiots is judgemental? People are not disagreeing with me, they are calling all of us in TG and WE Racist, elitists, snobs, etc... on a pro-active basis. They are not responding to my blog with first time names towards me. Pay attention to the timing. By the way, what questions have I been asked? Boy I hope my grammar and punctuation is up to your blogging standards. I am so glad you noticed that at least. How dare you question me. Oh, wait there was no question. I think you just like reading my posts for the entertainment value. No one thought they would get a response to the unbridled hate mongering that is the SB supporters. I am sorry about the retard comment though. I should not have used that word. It is just as hurtful as racist. Right. Have a good night.

"Perhaps NSFOC should be appointed to run the District in that these 9 people sure are effective (did more in 6 weeks than this Board has been able to do in years and years)." as posted by Fence it in.......

I will agree with you on one thing. These sorry nine people "effectively" did more damage in 6 weeks than this Board has ever done over the years. We all know the names of these idiots and none of them (including Todd and his posse) will EVER be elected to any type of school board position. What a joke!!!!! Let's vote for the people who sued all of us for our kid's education funds and then spewed lies,twisted propaganda, and future lawsuit threats so they could scare the landowners and rob the kids of any school at all! For the love of .....

Dear Democracy Advocate

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

You declare the painful truth! No one wants to think about, let alone believe that this kind of "conflict of interest" resides in our neck of the woods. But nothing else really makes sense.

as posted by Another Tall Grass Resident....". Our kids deserve a good education at a Safe Site. There are facts to back up this site that have been published in the papers."

PUBLISHED in the papers!!! Uh-Oh I think we have a WINNER!!!!! :)

Good night everyone. You guys are great to hang out with! I especially loved all the wonderful sentiments you sent my way. Let's do this little time-passer again. I love this game. You win.

To Anonymous @ 5:31pm.

I'm not sure why you think I'm making assumptions about you're skin color. I specifically stated that I do not think NSFOC is racist. I do think the majority of the NSFOC members are white because the majority ARE white, just like me.

As far as income, statistics are readily available and it is highly improbable that the AVERAGE WE/TG resident has a higher income than my household. Again, I'm talking averages - I never talked about you, specifically. I only brought that up because some of the bloggers claim that those that oppose NSFOC do so out of jealously.

My point is that I oppose NSFOC because I find their tactics, and their rationale an embarassment - made even more so to me, personally, because superficially they "look" like me.

By Anonymous on April 11, 2008 9:49 AM
Linda Holmes' career is on the "hot seat". She admitted to calling Midwest Gen. - it's in the Sun it must be true. That in itself is unethical at best. Using her position to intimidate - I wouldn't want to be her right now. What a stupid career move
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I am a precinct committeeman for Linda's party (though, fortunately, not in her district which means I don't have to vote against my conscience) and have already informed her that I will be supporting her opponent financially over this fiasco. I have never before supported a Repulican and hope to never do it again, but what she did may actually be influence peddling or worse yet racketeering and those ills do not belong in the party I hold dear. Uh-oh, I hear the flames starting...
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Will the current 204 boundary changes for elementary and middle schools still take effect this fall?
--------------------------------------------------------------------I am about 99% sure I read somewhere that the grade school and middle school changes slated to begin next year do not depend in any way on the MVHS construction, but I can't think of where I read it--it may have come by backpack mail or by e-mail.

Websters defines:
en�ti�tle (n-ttl)
tr.v. en�ti�tled, en�ti�tling, en�ti�tles
1. To give a name or title to.
2. To furnish with a right or claim to something

You know what, I do feel entitled! I feel "entitled" to fight for what I think is right for my children and community. I feel "entitled" to write a check to a group of people who are working hard to do what is right! Every May and September when I write out checks to Will county I am reminded that I am contributing to my community and I am entitled to question the volunteers voted into office.

Thank you NSFOC for doing what was right, all 9 of you, amazing!

Re: Pendulum Theory 9:43 am 4.11.08
Thanks for the well thought out response to the pendulum theory and how it pertains to our 204 district. I never thought of it the way you explained but your addition to this theory makes a lot of sense. I can only hope for our sake the idea of the ever shrinking middle does not come to pass.

To Greg Forrest and Democracy Advocate maybe your ideas could be brought forward in many aspects of local government.

Okay, I live in Breckenridge and have a big house. We go on vacations, spent all of last summer out of the country, have a house bigger than many in Tall Grass though priced in the same range because it is older, we are "European-American" and we consider all of this luck. We count our blessings and believe we should share them.

We didn't originally want 204 we wanted 203, and by luck we found the perfect house here and came to love the district (and lose respect for 203 over the years, but that is another blog I think). I clearly live south of 75th (though north of 95th) and I support a 3rd HS wherever it is. What I won't do is stay here if MVHS is not built. Portable classrooms, split shifts, rotating year round trimesters are not conducive to achieving the top notch education we have come to expect. If the school is not built by 2010 we will be moving, much to our chagrin.

Big houses and financial ease are not measures of success. They make life easier and more fun, but by themselves they do not fill the needs of our children. Family, community, a moral grounding and quality education are far more important. By losing our third HS the quality of education will falter over the next 15-20 years. I feel sorry for those with very young children as my guess is that by the time their children get out of HS, the only college that will accept them is a junior college that can not turn them down. Do we really want our children to have to say "yeah, I graduated from 204 but it was different then..."

Ok gang,

Congratulations! We took down the Eola site. Very well done!

Don't think you can rest on your laurels though we have much more work to do.

So what's next on the agenda? Is it time to kick out Dr. Dysfunctionschner and send him packing back to Kentucky with his tail between his legs? Or maybe we should focus on Mr. Metzged Up?
Wait! What did you say? Add the Clark bar to this list? No problem, we can do that.

What the heck, fact is none of them stand a chance against us individually or as a group so lets just go after all of them at once. The sooner the voters have these guys out of t he picture the sooner our school district can get back to normal. What do you say? Is it a plan? Agreed then!

I know, I know that's just the first couple of steps, but it is a start. There is more work to be done, much more. Let's start here and see how things develop. We don't want to move too fast. It is possible we can still salvage some of the others who have promising potential. Problem is they have been steamrolled, overshadowed, and muscled out for way too long. Once we get the lead dog out from in front of them their view will start to improve immediately.

Ok, so do we have a plan? Agreed then! Now, who wants to do what to make this happen?

To:By Earth to SB on April 11, 2008 5:30 PM Regarding your referring to school teachers as your servants. Well, you're very wrong - I don't have a miserable life at all. I go on about 6-8 vacations a year (very elaborate I might add) live in a house worth over $1milliion, have a beautiful family and a ton a friends a packed social calendar, I get weekly massages (yes weekly) and nails, facials - the works - and that's the truth. My life is so darn great - I am happy enough not to sue my neighbors bc I have to go to a racially diverse school. The teacher was saying it as it is - I'm sure most teachers don't have to deal with parents that sue their neighbors and take the funding away from the children of the district for their own selfish wants.

The one blogger was right. We can get a lot done with the entitled nine as the entire school board. Everything would get done on time, under budget and no one will ever be publicly disappointed...if they were they would be sued, misled, threatened, intimidated, and black mailed. Of course not a penny would be spent on any school outside of Tall Grass or White Eagle and I am sure they would use eminent domain to remove all section 8 housing from the district.

Right On! I am in senior management and so I live in TG too. It is so laborious and aggravating dealing with these mid/low level management types and the rank-and-vile worker drones. I am highly successful in every aspect of my life and you are dead right that I am not about to get screwed around by these wage slave school board people or anyone else. I didn’t work this hard fighting to the top of the chain to let those unable or unwilling to claw up for themselves think they have a say. When you’ve hacked your way through the teaming masses of ineffectual and inadequate humanity and made it to the top then we can talk. Until then just keep quiet and mind your place.

BB is THE one and only place to build our new HS! And it better be what I paid for too!

_____________________________________________________________________

I just don't understand why everyone wants to take this out on TG. This is about the SB. They started the name calling and lying. They are the ones wasting our tax money. I have NEVER met anyone like this in TG. I am very proud to live here.

This post is in reply to Democracy Advocate's post stating that the 2006 referedum question failed in DuPage - actually the referendum passed in DuPage.

YES 7303 54.26%
NO 6157 45.74%

Source:
http://cms.dupageelections.com/uploads/JID37_032106%20Print%20Final%20Totals%20Report.pdf
Page 13

Here is a precinct breakdown if you are interested:
http://ipsd204.proboards76.com/v45index.cgi?board=school&action=display&thread=51

Reply #3

You had options as to what you want for your kids. Your support for a fradulent organization has left you with the second option. Well done!

1. Kids go to a well balanced WVHS.
2. Kids go to a overcrowded WVHS.

Trini - great post, and to Greg Forrest, yours is also very insightful - where did your get your name, interesting

I would like to know what is the cost difference ( all costs included please - like transportation differential if it exists) between building at BB versus building at Macom? Such analysis would have to assume a lower price per acre than the school board published last year since real estate is down. The Macom location would be better than BB considering the epicenter of the population density and growth expectations and/or potential.

Just glad that the Eola site is not viable. That was really idiotic and reflected SB bias, favortism, and hidden agendas. I guess Midwest Gen did not want to take the risk with our chldren, why would would we?

I guess Bruce Glawe needs to go in and "get educated"

I have an idea... why don't all you people just move out of SD204 and let there be peace. I've lived in district(s) 203 & 204 all my life. Went through the 203 system myself and both my children went through the 204 system. My oldest daughter attended 4 different elementary school. Not because we moved, but because the district was growing and she was constantly being jossled around. Deal with it and move on. Ya'll sound like a bunch of whiny little babies. I wonder how many of you have the balls (or lack of..but you get the point) to stand up at your place of employment like this and maake your bold statements (against people or decisions within your company). I bet not very many. Why, because you have to 'show face'. This little blog protects your identity and so you enjoy ripping apart our School District. The only thing your accomplishing here is making a bad name for our School District which so many have put their time and effort, sweat and tears, to make it what it is today. And if you don't like it.. move! Tired of everybody bashing each other and calling people names. It's time to move on.

Last night the real estate transaction history was looked up for Eola site, and we found out that the AME church bought their 83 acres from Midwest Gen (yes, the same guys) in 2004. They also paid only $2.9 million for those 83 acres ($35,000 per acre). The district was offering AME about $12 million for 49 acres (that's $245,000 per acre). That's 7 times the price AME paid in 2004 in just 4 years - 700%! - for the same industrial type property that may be polluted as well. This brings into question the seven secret reports of environmental results. Were those reports perhaps from some of the AME property???

How reckless can our district be with our money!

Somebody tell me this ain't so!!!!

I am calling my lawyer.

School Board Members: I challange you to find another way to build the school on the remaining property at Eola. Make the building smaller and add another floor - or something. 203 has high schools on much less land than you desire so it's definitely possible. Don't give up just because you didn't get all the land. You have to dig deeper and find another blueprint. I know you can do it.

Listen, bottom line is that if Brookdale was proud of Waubansie, they would want to stay at Waubansie. I'm really tired of people saying one thing (from the North and West of the district) and then saying another thing.

1) Move on.
2) Eola property NOT the best site.
3) Midwest Gen WON'T sell it.
4) People up North (brookdale) should be happy.
5) You get to stay at Waubansie; you don't like NVHS type, right?

To A gift for Arch:

Please prove the AME Church site is in fact as you stated "polluted".

This statement in fact is false, misleading and manipulative.

Again more lies from the NSFOC!

I agree, we all know the Eola property is safe - especially after all the endless testing it's been through. Figure out a way to build it on the property we already have. It's what the community as a whole wants - even the majority in the "south". Don't let the little pests of TG stop what's best for the community - we won't stand for it.

Moderator Jim to Greg Forrest and Democracy Advocate: Yes, Greg, I was very intrigued and now I am further intrigued, per your suggestion, about a new thread to discuss "Democracy Advocate's" ideas. Why don't we take a different approach here: You, Greg, and Democracy if you care to participate, formulate the thread....post it, I'll look it over and, if it works, turn it into a thread. That will be a first for this blog. I'd like to give it a shot...point being, we engage the community in a conversation you guys initiate instead of me or Host Ted. It would be a good experiment. Thanks.

How about the SD buy the BB property but send TG and WE to WVHS anyway, as it is perfectly legal to do.that should work for everyone

By Anonymous on April 12, 2008 8:35 AM
School Board Members: I challange you to find another way to build the school on the remaining property at Eola. Make the building smaller and add another floor - or something. 203 has high schools on much less land than you desire so it's definitely possible. Don't give up just because you didn't get all the land. You have to dig deeper and find another blueprint. I know you can do it.
***********************
Do you seriously think the School Board or any other serious community member is reading this blog daily to answer your questions or to hear your advice?

By Anonymous on April 12, 2008 9:33 AM
I agree, we all know the Eola property is safe - especially after all the endless testing it's been through. Figure out a way to build it on the property we already have. It's what the community as a whole wants - even the majority in the "south". Don't let the little pests of TG stop what's best for the community - we won't stand for it.

..............................
Why don't you go buy this safe property with your money for a change and build your home there. Don't bother with remediation. It's not necessary anyway, right? Your bunch does deserve the safe site. Funny how you state a majority want this site but anyone can see only the minority is talking about these issues or reacting on one side or another.

I love how the SB and people like you try to convince others that you are the bright ones for discovering this great location. Like it was hidden from view all this time. Wow, maybe there is a reason that no developer bought the land before. Maybe the church group got such a good buy on the land and in just a few short years is going to charge the SB 700% more than they paid. Yeah, this is the right thing for the majority of the community.

The community wants a 3rd HS on a location that is safe, that doesn't need remediation, can be located centrally to the population density, and fulfills the requirements of both the Referendum and State Requirements for building a safe school so we don't lose funding, has reasonable transportation costs, and has the least impact on the community. If the SB just paid the price for the BB property to begin with instead of taking them to court we would not be in this mess. Just follow through on the many promises and this will all go away. Sure send TG and WE to WV. No one else will care. Great, more perfect ideas from someone looking out for number one. Keep up the good work.

I have some property that I would like to sell to the SB. And I would only charge 500% over what I bought it for in 2004. What a great deal! 700% is just outrageous. Now, who do I talk to about this?

Moderator, why are you not posting information on the Church selling the land to the SB?

Moderator Jim to Anonymous: Where are you getting this info on the church selling land to SB?

NEWS ALERT!!!...............

AME BOUGHT THEIR LAND FROM MIDWEST GEN IN 2004.

THEY PAID $2,900,000.00 FOR 83 ACRES IN 2004 AND THE SCHOOL BOARD IS OFFERING AME $11,000,000.00 FOR 44 ACRES A 600% MARKUP!

WHERE ARE THE 7 REPORTS? COULD THEY NOT HAVE BEEN RELEASED BECAUSE THEY SPOKE ABOUT THE AME LAND??

MARK METZGER IS TRYING TO PULL ONE OVER ON THE VOTERS!!

WHO IS GOING TO REMEDIATE THIS LAND???

THE SCHOOL BOARD IS PAYING OVER A 600% MARKUP!! IS THIS RESPONSIBLE??

Is this "God's Will" to put kids on potentially hazardous land? Thanks Greg Forest!

Funny how Midwest comes up with a rather brilliant scheme to back out of the deal by blaming the community...DUH! What are the chances that a few executives, their lawyers and PR people decided that it was really the best course of action to lay the blame at the feet of NSFOC, TG and WE???? Gee, maybe by blaming these groups you get out of the offer to sell the land, you don’t get sued by 204 for backing out and geeeeeeeeeeeeeee...10-15 years from now when we really learn what has been dumped on that land for all these years percolates to the surface.

At least I give them credit for coming up with a way to walk away. But come on people, wake up and smell the anti-freeze. They are not stupid, just a little smarter than Dr. D and his minions.

For the groups that think the land is so safe why don’t you go have a picnic there? Invite the school board and enjoy...Spend some time doing a little research on areas around the country similar to this. Are you really that naive to believe that companies weren’t dumping all kinds of crap? And yea, by the way...doubtful they would really dump whatever right in their own back yard...haul it a few hundred feet away and dump it there...thus the testing needing to be done everywhere.

Thank you Midwest Gen for at least being smart enough to not stick your necks on the line 15 years from now.

Time to move on...crisis averted!

My bad, 600%. Property is down, not up. What kind of dill weeds do we have running this show. No one would buy property like this unless they had some hidden agenda. Maybe someone is padding their pockets. Why would our district single handedly fund the building project of a church? Last I checked state funds were not allowed to be spent on a Church. There is obviously a connection here. Who on the board is a part of this church? Only a close connection would answer why our tax dollars are funding the building of a church like this. My child cannot even celebrate Christmas anymore for fear of upsetting someone from a different religion and yet our SB is going to fund a church project. Great, just great.

"GOD'S WILL" NOT!! This has nothing to do with "GOD'S WILL" this has to do with AME opportunity to make millions of dollars for selling Midwest Gen's land nothing more.

The church isn't selling the land - that was exhausted a long time ago.....

More quotes in The Herald today from Brookdale resident Jennifer Streder. Jennifer was the person who spoke in support of the SB at Monday's SB meeting and addressed the Aurora aldermen at the March 25th AME/MWG land annexation meeting. She and her neighbors have had quite a change of heart about the SB in the last two years. Attached is a link to a Daily Herald article for those who would like to see just how much Brookdale residents supported a third HS in early 2006 and how those residents reacted to SB boundary decisions that they were opposed to.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/education/382011/district_204_fights_new_battle_old_war/

Here are a few snippets from that article, reporting on a meeting between SB members and the Brookdale Elementary PTA:

“Conversation didn’t make it past the recent boundary decision as interruptions, yelling and even tears accompanied another emotional meeting…”

“Referring to the process as political gerrymandering, many Brookdale residents said they feel sold out by the entire board. “We feel dismissed, disenfranchised.”, parent Laura Steffak said.”

"There's a chance that for an entire day she might not know anyone," said parent Jennifer Streder of her daughter, who would be first class affected. "When you're asking me to say yes to the referendum, you're asking me to throw her into that situation."

I have just one question for such a strong supporter of the SB:

There are several middle schools that will be split under the most recent boundaries, similar to what was scheduled for Hill under the 2006 boundary proposals. Why is it that you and your neighbors were so strongly opposed to the decisions of the SB then (when it impacted your children), but now that the SB has made similar decisions that impacts a far greater number of children in the district (but not yours this time), plus adds greatly increased transportation times for many of these students, that you think the SB is worthy of such high praise and the parents challenging them are so wrong?

Brookdale residents voted overwhelmingly “No” to the 2006 referendum, but now they are the most vocal supporters of the SB in the current debate about its location. As such, Ms. Streder might want to refrain when speaking with the press (whom she can’t seem to talk to enough these days) from making accusations of elitism about those who oppose the Eola site. She is guilty of the same behavior and attitudes that so appall her now. This attitude just reeks of hypocrisy.

To By Anonymous on April 12, 2008 9:33 AM

"I agree, we all know the Eola property is safe - especially after all the endless testing it's been through."...are you kidding me?

Saying that they did endless testing on this the Eola Site is like saying that you went in for a full physical and the doctor only checked your big toe and later GAVE YOU A COMPLETE BILL OF GOOD HEALTH.

Midwest Generation knows exactly all of the problems affiliated with this site and that is why their smart corporate attorney's made them back out of the deal. If they fully disclosed ALL of the problems on this site, it would significantly drive down the value of this site for the next chump looking to buy the property.

They could turn the Eola site into a go-cart race track, flee market, or used a car lot. Not a school.

By Everything you read is true. on April 11, 2008 9:04 PM
as posted by Another Tall Grass Resident....". Our kids deserve a good education at a Safe Site. There are facts to back up this site that have been published in the papers."

PUBLISHED in the papers!!! Uh-Oh I think we have a WINNER!!!!! :)

>>>>>

I think he/she meant...because the NSFOC put it into a full ad in the paper it must be true.

Daily Herald article: An environmental firm is cleaning up roughly 30 gallons of diesel fuel that spilled onto Bangs Lake in Wauconda Friday morning.

Village officials are asking residents to stay out of the water until the fuel is removed.
Wow - they'll be able to swim in the lake as soon as it's cleaned up - which will be done this weekend. NSFOC - you better get Linda Holmes and get over there right away - the Experts are cleaning it up and allowing people back in the lake - what are they thinking - they need to listen to your expert opinion that people will come out with 3 heads or there will be criminal racketeering done by Linda Holmes - watch out.

There is an article on line this morning in the Dailey Herald stating that ST. John AME church is open to selling the District the remaining land to build the HS.

I'm willing to collect money as DONATIONS as a Thank You to this church (NOT like other money which was collected for a lawsuit).

To the posters who are complaining about the price mark-up on the St. John's land, it is still $14 MILION DOLLARS LESS THAN BB. BB is out of the District's price range--they can't "just buy it!!" to please a select few disgruntled residents (and it is only a select few residents, a very small percentage of the community as a whole). Let it go already and move on!

I wonder what the BB owners paid for that land. They should sell it to us for what they paid. Probably much less than 1 million dollars...total.

Here we go again! Now you are criticizing the church for making a GREAT INVESTMENT! $2.9mm for 84 acres was a great deal in 2004, that's $35k/acre! Call any Realtor and ask what commercial land was going for at that time(top of the market). It wasn't $35k/acre! Now ask that same Realtor what an acre is going for today in the same area. $133k/acre is very fair. Not the $564k/acre that BB is charging!!!!!
It's not your call to tell someone what they can make on an investment! If you buy a share of stock a year ago for $2 and it's worth $155 today, then that's what the market is asking! If you don't like it, then move on to another stock!!!
Now why don't you look and see what BB paid for that piece of land on 59&75.....If you think AME made a lot, then you won't believe your eyes when you see what BB MADE!!!!!
TO: Midwestgen Sold Land to AME....I'm going to guess that you don't invest at all and you are probably living beyond your means, living paycheck to paycheck. I bought Google at $268/share, and today it trades at $450/share....I bought Apple at $40/share, today it trades $147/share....And I bought those after 2004, is that irresponsible of me!!!!!!!! Your jealousy is so transparent!!!!

Amen to AME for their investment!!!! (I'm the jealous one!)

Again - The church is not selling the land - that avenue was exhausted a while age - wondering why you're not posting this info - Jim???

Moderator, I hope you will post this since there has been numerous questions of the bias of the Naperville Sun of the Eola site issue. The Daily Herald posted a story over 12 hours ago that the church is offering to sell all of their land to the people of district 204. The article talked about the church doing this for our children. The article also mentioned that the NSFOC sat down with the Daily Herald editors and writers this week, the same way they have sat down with you and Tim over the past couple of weeks.

I am asking this question of the Naperville Sun...how did you guys get scooped so bad?

You have championed the NSFOC cause and they left you out of the loop.

Maybe it is time to do some investigative research. Shouldn't a company (NSFOC, Inc) be held accountible to how they represent themselves in order to raise money? In "how they represent themselves", I am referring to the fact that they keep saying they have members but no membership structure. Here is your chance to beat the Daily Herald to a story.

Moose Lodge has members...they vote on their leadship. Bally's Health Club has members but they have no voice in anything. The state of Illinois Articles of incorporation requires a not for profit corporation to distinguish between 2 types of members - voting (think Moose Lodge) and non-voting (think local gym). FYI, both styles still have a way of structuring some form of membership. I don't beleive to this day that the NSFOC has done that. I do not deny that they have supporters. But with everything I have seen, they have 9 owners and no members. Let's scoop the Daily Herald on this one (before they run it).

Moderator Jim to Anonymous: It is posted - why are you so adamant about the church not selling the land when they now are saying they will?

To Anonymous on April 12 at 12:29pm
"Again - The church is not selling the land - that avenue was exhausted a while age"

You might be eating those words very soon.

YOU WON'T GIVE UP! on April 12, 2008 12:27 PM

It is not what they bought the for it is WHO they bought the land from.

I commend you, I also bought Apple @$51.00 and Google @ $129.00.

It is not about how much it is; it is about WHO. (i.e. MIDWEST GEN)

God bless St. John's AME Church, regardless of the outcome with their land. They have our children's interests at heart. Shame on anyone who attempts to use threats and other underhanded means to bully the Church (that goes for either side of the issue). And, if you're so inclined, say a prayer that everything will end as well as it possibly can, with neighbors being neighborly again.

Can't anyone see the light here. THIS IS SO SIMPLE:

1) the SB wanted the school up there; we all know that.
2) they can't get a vote to pass it; we all know that. this is why they put out the BB property, because their "consultants" said with the right boundaries it will pass.
3) they had knowledge the price was not set. they disclosed that. but they said "we're confident the price will be xxx" --- misleading people to believe that the BB land was where they wanted the school.
4) price came in higher than they "thought" and now they get what they want.

A school up North. And you know what's even funnier; they admit it by their actions today.

a) toxic potential problem to the land
b) per the "vote" that passed, 1000s of people are upset
c) they know 1000s of people near NVHS who are not effected do not care and will not speak up
d) so they just have a war with the SW Naperville area vs. the North and Aurora who want a new school near them but cannot get it per a vote.

What a disgrace.

One thing you learn in life. You treat people unfairly and wrong and think you get away with it, but you don't. What comes around goes around. Which is why the SB is in this situation.

"There's a chance that for an entire day she might not know anyone," said parent Jennifer Streder of her daughter, who would be first class affected. "When you're asking me to say yes to the referendum, you're asking me to throw her into that situation."

_________________________________

Unflipping believable, I can't believe this person! What a hypocrit.

By ScrewNSFOC on April 12, 2008 11:57 AM
There is an article on line this morning in the Dailey Herald stating that ST. John AME church is open to selling the District the remaining land to build the HS.

I'm willing to collect money as DONATIONS as a Thank You to this church (NOT like other money which was collected for a lawsuit).

To the posters who are complaining about the price mark-up on the St. John's land, it is still $14 MILION DOLLARS LESS THAN BB. BB is out of the District's price range--they can't "just buy it!!" to please a select few disgruntled residents (and it is only a select few residents, a very small percentage of the community as a whole). Let it go already and move on!
................................................
AME would be willing to dump the dump and make millions more than it is worth! It's not every day a sucker comes along, and they don't want to miss the opportunity. You trust this board can find a way out of the BB and NSFOC lawsuits without paying millions more? Donate to a better community. Maybe your generous offer to donate money can be given to the district to go back in time and reconsider the condemnation lawsuit against BB that drove the price up. But remember the SB said they can afford the BB property. With all the lawsuits pending are you sure the SB can even win one? What have they done lately besides breathe air? It's not $14 million when you add in the additional $10 million to build it bonus. Get a clue and move on yourself.

To Thanks But we'll pass:

What is the damage NSFOC did in the last few weeks? Unless you're in Brookdale or a far north neighborhood who just lost their opportunity to get out of WVHS and maybe enjoy a new school that's closer, and was counting on their property being a little more desirable for re-sale, I would say there wasn't damage done to majority of the district. Actually, it was a big favor.

A delay in the high school being built? No real damage or change there. I think it's been obvious that MVHS was never going to open in 2009 on that property. Testing using samples does not completely predict how complex the "clean up (remediation)" is going to eventually be or what it would cost. Those environmental projects are hard to estimate, are unpredictable and will need a large amount of contingency built into the budget to accommodate the risk. I'd be willing to bet that the SB was going to give us some estimate of the clean-up cost that was stripped down to the optimistic case, so we would say "oh, that's not so bad." and we can afford that". Until they got a good estimate on the clean-up and we had time to verify the basis, they shouldn't have been buying anything.

Another topic - I am sick of hearing how the neighborhoods who go to WVHS paid for Neuqua, but got nothing. Didn't you get a high school (WVHS) that doesn't have 8000 students in it today? I don't think we owe you any favors and put the school in a ridiculous geographic location.

For Pete's sake already. Get rid of the third high school option and just put annexes on the two current high schools and/ or use a few trailers. I don't believe the District's numbers on a surge of students. This is all getting too crazy and too expensive.

By DOES ALL CAPITALS MEAN YOU'RE YELLING HYSTERICALLY ? :) on April 12, 2008 12:12 PM
I wonder what the BB owners paid for that land. They should sell it to us for what they paid. Probably much less than 1 million dollars...total.
.................................................

I bet if you did any research you would find out that BB probably bought the land 30 years ago or more and ran a family farm there and have been hanging on to the land for the grandchildren and their charity. Better than a church capitalizing on tainted land. If land goes up 5% a year and the AME folks wanted to make a profit that would by a fair market value considering what was there in the past. Just because a church bought the land does not take away the pollution that is there. Sounds like a shell game to me.

Mark Metzger again not listening to the taxpayers about slowing down and now your showing your true colors. You will pay anything even though the taxpayers told you to wait and see about the $60 Million Dollars in Damages at BB. Stop School Board and quit mishandling the taxpayers money!!

By YOU WON'T GIVE UP! on April 12, 2008 12:27 PM
Here we go again! Now you are criticizing the church for making a GREAT INVESTMENT! $2.9mm for 84 acres was a great deal in 2004, that's $35k/acre! Call any Realtor and ask what commercial land was going for at that time(top of the market). It wasn't $35k/acre! Now ask that same Realtor what an acre is going for today in the same area. $133k/acre is very fair. Not the $564k/acre that BB is charging!!!!!
It's not your call to tell someone what they can make on an investment! If you buy a share of stock a year ago for $2 and it's worth $155 today, then that's what the market is asking! If you don't like it, then move on to another stock!!!
Now why don't you look and see what BB paid for that piece of land on 59&75.....If you think AME made a lot, then you won't believe your eyes when you see what BB MADE!!!!!
TO: Midwestgen Sold Land to AME....I'm going to guess that you don't invest at all and you are probably living beyond your means, living paycheck to paycheck. I bought Google at $268/share, and today it trades at $450/share....I bought Apple at $40/share, today it trades $147/share....And I bought those after 2004, is that irresponsible of me!!!!!!!! Your jealousy is so transparent!!!!

Amen to AME for their investment!!!! (I'm the jealous one!)
....................................................
You're a jealous fool if you think buying bad land is a great investment. Why don't you follow their lead and track down other Midwest Gen land you too can become filthy rich. There is a reason this type of land doesn’t typically go to housing or schools. Just do yourself and the community a favor and read up on Energy company properties. BB is the most prime land in the area for development and has not sold because it is a premium piece of land. Not because it had a power plant on it. Buying land and stock are totally different types of speculations. Midwest Gen knows that. Most people know that. Once again, jealousy is a bad emotion.

the post by By Flip Floppin' on April 12, 2008 11:24 AM
"More quotes in The Herald today from Brookdale resident Jennifer Streder." illustrates the NSFOC battle plan. If you do not like the message, attack the messenger. The NSFOC cannot win the lawsuit so they will attempt to intimidate and bully anyone who stands in their way. These are the same nine cowards who hide behind a corporation and an attorney.

Bullies of the NSFOC, you are outnumbered. We will not be intimidated or bullied. The more you pull these stunts the stronger we get.

I don't know Ms. Streder but I commend her for speaking her mind in 2006, conceding the ultimate decision to the SB and majority(albeit perhaps not happy about it)and moving on.

She didn't file and base a frivolous lawsuit on the fact that she personally didn't get the boundaries she wanted....unlike the entitled nine nsfoc gang. That is why I will respect her stance then and now. She is not suing me or any other residents over our differing opinions and is not attempting to take away the third high school for all of our kids! Too bad we can't say the same for nsfoc

Thats it in a nutshell. This has gotten so far out of control it needs to go back to the voters.

Sorry Mark and Steve, Your little plan to ram-rod this rotten plan by the voters has failed. The board and superintendant are the laughing stock in the community and thats a real shame. Time to step aside, bring in new leaders, be transparent with the facts and options and quit this mascarade that parents can not be part of a process without being biased selfish. There are 10% of the group that can not see through their biases and they are throughout the district not just Brookdale, etc. The other 90% can be engaged.

Do the right thing. Admit you failed and need to step down your confidence rating is now lower that George Bush.

I have a great solution. Let's build two small (1500 person) highschools instead of one big one... you could use the 25 acres already purchased at BB plus maybe buy 10 or so more, then buy an equal amount at Eola. You could put the north siders into the Eola school, WE and TG in the new school. Make everyone happy.

TO: Anonymous on 4/12 2:33
On how much of that land does the peaker plant sit on? AME owns 84 and Midwest owns 37, the peaker plant sits on appx. 15 acres. of that 37. This blog exchange is about the reaction to the church considering selling the other 80 acres. What are you basing on that these other 80 acres are not "typical" land to build on? All 120 acres weren't used for the peaker plant, they were used for farming too. Are you implying that AME was going to place a church on land that is not "typical" to housing or schools.
I do agree that BB is the "most" prime land in the area for development and that is has "not" sold because of it is a premium piece of land at $564/acre. Our SB saw that they could not afford such a price tag and had walked away for fiscal responsibility to the community.

By nosuchthingasneutral on April 12, 2008 2:14 PM
"What is the damage NSFOC did in the last few weeks?"

Where exactly have you been? Did you not see our district go through testing to the nth degree on a site deemed safe only to have the seller's get cold feet due to the threats of "we won't go away until this passes the white glove test"? and "we will sue again at the drop of a hat" by nsfoc? Who wants to deal with these lunatics given the fact that remediation needed to occur? They even said that the Midwest Gen portion "would never be good enough".You can't reason with the unreasonable.

Oh, don't forget that everyone now has these people's "numbers" and true motives for their ridiculous lawsuit against all of us in the first place.They were suing so they could go to a closer school.

That is really something to be proud of! The rift they have singlehandledly created in this district may be irreparable.They have embarrassed their neighbors and fellow residents. Nobody likes a selfish brat ....especially when they aren't even smart enough to try and disguise the fact that they "better get what they want because they DESERVE it...or else!". I could go on but it's all common knowledge anyway....

From By SD204 parent on April 12, 2008 6:12 AM-

..."My oldest daughter attended 4 different elementary school. Not because we moved, but because the district was growing and she was constantly being jossled around.."

---------------------------
the district is now at the end of its growth. Please inform us- the last school your daughter ended up at.. was it the FARTHEST school from your house?? because, of course, that would be silly.. more schools... a closer school for you!

I am not an NSFOC person, before you all make a judgement against them.

Once again, I will point out that the AME church people know a great deal when they see it. Why would they want to miss out on "helping the children" of D204 by making 600% on all their acres rather than just the 49 original. Nice change of heart. Funny how money corrupts even a church. They must realize how bad the SB's relationships are with land owners as well and have been praying on this overnight. Thank god we have this opportunity to save the children. I bet BB and others are now wishing they could call up the lord for a better conscience to save the children. What do you think? If EOLA is passed on their is no other site the district can afford. Please! Maybe the AME guys just flat don't want the land anymore. Remember they didn't have the resources to check out the property like D204 and now they are probably as worried about it as the rest of us. Let's just dump the dump to the first sucker we can. Oh yeah, we have a dope on a rope right now. Wink Wink!

BB is a farmland as is the Eola(church) property. So given that and the fact that Eola property will be about half the price, Sb should just do a phase I study on the new parcel and if everything comes out ok break ground this month.

I was obviously disappointed to see that the AMES Church leadership has decided to invoke God's Will into its justification for now considering selling the entire 84 acres to the District. It is also troubling that the Church leadership has come to the conclusion that building a school on any land other than the EOLA site would be an injustice to the children of 204. It seems that Dr. Daeschner and the Brookdale community have been active in helping shape the AMES church's leadership's beliefs about the motives of those who do not believe that the EOLA site is the right solution for the District. I would hope that the leadership will be as open to listening to the perspective of those who believe they have been mistreated in this process.

It certainly is the Church's right to protect and expand the growth of the Church (which obviously has been impacted as much as any other group in the continuing District 204 debacle). The AMES leadership undoubtedly has the interests of serving is members with the grace of God as its first priority. I truly hope that God continues to bless this historical and wonderful church.

However, I too believe in God (I attend Calvary Church and we can yell hallejuia as loudly as any congregation out there!). Yet, I do not believe that God has chosen sides in regards to the site location for Metea high school.

I do however believe that he has provided us with guidance in regards to treating your neighbor as you would like your neighbor to treat you, which I think we can all agree has been lost over the past months by folks on both sides of the aisle (residents, Board members and administration officials alike).

As we continue to try to come to the proper resolution for the District, I would implore the leadership of AMES to remember that it is okay to endorse God in everything you do, but that is very dangerous to assume that God endorses you (especially at the expense of other good and righteous people).

Finally, it is also worth noting that God's work usually does not work as well behind closed doors as it does when it is demonstrated openly before his people. Thus, I hope that the Administration, Board and Church proceed very openly and deliberately in land discussions/negotiations so that both God's will and the will of the 204 electorate are properly protected.

Best regards

By two instead of one on April 12, 2008 3:04 PM
I have a great solution. Let's build two small (1500 person) highschools instead of one big one... you could use the 25 acres already purchased at BB plus maybe buy 10 or so more, then buy an equal amount at Eola. You could put the north siders into the Eola school, WE and TG in the new school. Make everyone happy.
..........................................................
That would be great, then we could have all of us racists in one school and you could have all the holier than thou in the other.

Then what would WV do without their sugar daddy's to support the boosters.

Perfect.

To Flip Floppin' on April 12, 2008 11:24 AM--

Thanks for refreshing our perspectives with this history lesson. I especially liked the comment:

"Referring to the process as political gerrymandering, many Brookdale residents said they feel sold out by the entire board. “We feel dismissed, disenfranchised.”, parent Laura Steffak said.”"

This is exactly how many residents of TG and WG felt when the high school location changed. The only difference is that some TG/WG residents organized and decided to do something about it.

It is extremely hypocritical of Brookdale residents to accuse TG and WE of selfishly supporting the new school only because it was in their backyards, and then to display the same behavior now that the school may be located in theirs.

And I hear this coming: "But Brookdale didn't sue the school board." We have no way of knowing whether they considered this or not, and if they did, they sure as heck aren't going to fess up to it now. My guess, however, is that knowing, as per Laura Steffak in the 2006 Herald article, "They did a head count and decided they did not need Brookdale votes (to pass the referendum)", they knew they were in the minority and felt there was nothing further they could do. Not so with TG and WE. I think what irks Brookdale most about the NSFOC lawsuit is that the NSFOC had the organizational skills, business acumen, resources and courage to do what Brookdale only wished they could have done back in '06.

I don't begrudge the north having Metea. The SB definitely believes that a 3rd HS is so needed that building it anywhere is better than not building it at all, and only time will tell if they are correct. My child may be attending WV now, and I'm fine with that. Sure, the commuting distance is a drag, but Brookdale and other northern areas have been dealing with that for years, and if they could make it work for them I'm sure we can, too.

What I do begrudge is the endless accusations of selfishness and entitlement that the north has been flinging at the south ever since the Eola site went on the table. Brookdale voted overwhelmingly AGAINST building Metea when it was going to be used by other people's children, and are resoundingly FOR building Metea
now that it will be used by their own children. This is the epitome of selfishness, in it's purest form.

If only Flip Floppin' had posted this sooner. You could have spared many on this blog from weeks of Brookdale's virtuous hypocrisy.

SO let's see if I am getting the NSFOC message today. $31,000,000 dollars is a fair price for the BB site but $17,000,000 is too much for the Eola land?

The BB land is worth that because it is a prime location for development?

The school district should buy the most expensive available 80 acre parcel within the district boundaries?

The tax payers of the district should have to shoulder the burden of the most expensive 80 acre parcel of land in the district because the entitled nine will not be happy if we don't?

The entitled nine supporters will continue to bully and intimidate anyone who can do the math and see that the notion of buying the most expensive parcel of land in the district is just plain ridiculous and an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars?

FYI, donations to St John's AME are tax deductable. They will freely admit it. They do not feel you should have to pay a tax preparer to find out what they already know.

First time blogger here...
I do not think the fine folks who filed this law suit understand how much the remaining people within the school district are angry at them.

We live where we are not be affected by boundaries. There are those in the North who voted for the new HS knowing they would still go to WVHS, they just did not want the kids to go to a HS with a population of 4000+. There are those in the deep south who will continue to go to NVHS, they just did not want the kids to go to a HS with a population of 4500+. There are those out in the eastern portion who were ok to go to WVHS that voted for a third HS,... they just did not want the kids to go to a HS with a population of 4000+.

Now I know there are those who say that perhaps we do not need a third HS. Maybe,... maybe not? But I voted for a third HS to give our kids a better opportunity in a HS with a population of 2500-3000 (still very big).

Now since our fine folks who sued the SD and have intimidated others have created a lot of animosity. Yes, they created it. Many were indifferent before, but are now very angry at these fine folks.

I just don't think they realize how much the rest of the district are now furious with. Sad, but they are. Unintended Consequences.

By YOU WON'T GIVE UP! on April 12, 2008 3:15 PM
TO: Anonymous on 4/12 2:33
On how much of that land does the peaker plant sit on? AME owns 84 and Midwest owns 37, the peaker plant sits on appx. 15 acres. of that 37. This blog exchange is about the reaction to the church considering selling the other 80 acres. What are you basing on that these other 80 acres are not "typical" land to build on? All 120 acres weren't used for the peaker plant, they were used for farming too. Are you implying that AME was going to place a church on land that is not "typical" to housing or schools.
I do agree that BB is the "most" prime land in the area for development and that is has "not" sold because of it is a premium piece of land at $564/acre. Our SB saw that they could not afford such a price tag and had walked away for fiscal responsibility to the community.
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Not exactly. The church never had any plans to build there obviously and the SB would build on anything. Just fence it off and pave it over. That's our SB and that's AME. Just make a buck and slap it in. Again, you think all the other developers in the area were outsmarted by AME and the SB. I think not. The change of heart is over our tax money. Don't tell me we can't afford BB. We have plenty of money to follow through with the deal. We have so much money we can through it away. Just look at the great job our SB is doing with it now. BB and NSFOC lawsuits are not going away, and I am betting they will win because I saw what happened with my own two eyes. They did not walk away due to fiscal responsibility. They walked away because they have big mouths and not enough Brains. Finish the BB deal and everyone should be happy. If not the lawsuits will keep on the books and at some point the books will be balanced and you will not like the results. Once the money is gone, it's gone. Whether it goes to buildings and books, or attorneys, I would rather they stop the silly childish BS and make good on their word. Who knows maybe the SB can have a change of heart like our good neighbors at AME who are looking out for the children. Wink, Wink!

A poster with the moniker Momof3 wrote the following:

This post is in reply to Democracy Advocate's post stating that the 2006 referendum question failed in DuPage - actually the referendum passed in DuPage.

YES 7303 54.26%
NO 6157 45.74%

Thank you for correcting me Momof3. When I said it didn't pass, I was going off a story I found in the Sun's archives that was written the night of the election. That story said that early returns showed the referendum passing by a wide margin in Will County but failing by a narrow margin in DuPage County. I guess I should have checked the final results before opening my big mouth --err, keyboard.

Does anyone have a link to the final results for Will County?

As a quick observation, the referendum passed by about a 75% margin in the two White Eagle precincts. The WE tally was yes-563, no-186. There were 900 registered voters who didn’t vote.

I would venture to say that a referendum on the Eola site in 2008 would get about 100 yes votes and 1400 no votes in White Eagle. Of course it would get a lot of new yes votes in Brookdale, so we can't know for sure whether such a referendum would pass in DuPage County today.

I suspect the Will County data would show something similar: Tall Grass voting by an overwhelming majority for the referendum in 2006 but probably not willing to support an Eola referendum now.

The school board paid for extensive polling data between the two referendums and I'm sure they've got all the voting data at their fingertips. The board knows a new referendum, either for a higher pricetag at Brach-Brodie or for a $140mn pricetag at Eola would not pass.

According to Daeshner's powerpoint (see http://www.ipsd.org/Uploads/news_17332_1.pdf ), he began negotiating with AME-Midwest in September 2007, almost surely before the jury verdict on September 26th. That same powerpoint notes that environmental testing was performed on the AME-Midwest site, but not on the Macom or Hamman sites. Who paid for that testing? The district!

The district engaged TSC in October to begin testing one site only, and then used the fact that environment tests were completed at AME-Midwest but not at Hamman or Macom as a key argument for why the board should choose AME-Midwest. Based on that decision, it is pretty clear to me that the AME-Midwest site had been chosen by the board in October. If the board had wanted to, it could have put a new referendum on either the AME-Midwest site or an increased bond for Brach-Brodie on the ballot for spring-08. The board instead pretended to evaluate other sites for three months, when in reality the choice had already been made. Then it gave the public a whole one-week comment period before approving Daeschner's site recommendation, that had been de-facto made in October. Why the 3-month delay? I'm not sure, but it made it so that Mark Metzger could say in January that it was too late for a spring referendum. He claimed a fall referendum would stall construction by a whole year and ruin the 2009 projected opening date.

nsfoc nine will stop at nothing! You are really a piece of work!

Scare tactics, lawsuits, intimidation aimed at anyone that "get's in your way" to include innocent companies and now CHURCHES! nsfoc you should be ashamed. You are so consumed you can't even remember what you're fighting, who you're fighting and sadly and most importantly, WHY you're fighting...all because you want your kids to go to the school of your choice at a location of your choosing. Absolutely shameful!

"I bet if you did any research you would find out that BB probably bought the land 30 years ago or more and ran a family farm there and have been hanging on to the land for the grandchildren and their charity..."

I would suggest doing a little more research...you may be very surprised :)

You know I have heard a lot about the WV pride and I am happy for them. They have a great school. However, some would call me (White) and my Hispanic wife a racist family because we have Pride in NVHS. What a bunch hypocrites. It is our school and I have every right to fight for my children to finish there. If I wanted to go to WVHS I could have moved within a reasonable distance from the school and I would have been happy. But I didn't. I am still not going to WV until they change the boundary so I am keeping my pride alive in the NVHS. So keep WV for now. Let's work out the 3rd HS issue and then you can keep calling me racist. OK.

PS. To the 204 teacher with the bad attitude,
Glad you’re leaving. With teachers like you who needs enemies. And I am so glad you take great vacations and get massages every week. You sound like the elitists you have been bashing.

From Apples to apples on April 12, 2008 3:35 PM-

.."BB is a farmland as is the Eola(church) property.."

-------------------------
the Eola church property--i have only driven past this property 2 or so times in the last 8 years since i've moved here.

was this actually a working farm with crops growing on it?? i see on the online maps that it's just dirt now.

(and yes, i would agree that BB appears to be farmland- there's been, and still is, a ramshackle farmhouse there- i think it's kind of quaint looking.. and a breath of 'fresh air' with the zillions of cars, and modern buildings all around it!)

to: Anonymous on April 12, 2008 3:22 PM

Why is it okay for your property to appreciate and not the AME property?

Also, as these last few years have shown, there is apparently a shortage of like-sized property available to build a school on so obviously it's a hot commodity.

By Damage caused by nsfoc? How much time do you have?.... on April 12, 2008 3:15 PM
By nosuchthingasneutral on April 12, 2008 2:14 PM
"What is the damage NSFOC did in the last few weeks?"

Where exactly have you been? Did you not see our district go through testing to the nth degree on a site deemed safe only to have the seller's get cold feet due to the threats of "we won't go away until this passes the white glove test"? and "we will sue again at the drop of a hat" by nsfoc? Who wants to deal with these lunatics given the fact that remediation needed to occur? They even said that the Midwest Gen portion "would never be good enough".You can't reason with the unreasonable.

Oh, don't forget that everyone now has these people's "numbers" and true motives for their ridiculous lawsuit against all of us in the first place.They were suing so they could go to a closer school.

That is really something to be proud of! The rift they have singlehandledly created in this district may be irreparable.They have embarrassed their neighbors and fellow residents. Nobody likes a selfish brat ....especially when they aren't even smart enough to try and disguise the fact that they "better get what they want because they DESERVE it...or else!". I could go on but it's all common knowledge anyway....
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To blind and Dumb: What do you mean, where have I been. We must have been at two different SB BS meetings. I heard it was so bad that it would take remediation to fix the problem and that didn't account for the large gas pipes. "Just Fence it off and Pave it over". What world are you from. Bad PR will crush an Energy company every time. Not my problem, it is their business that was left unchecked that is the problem. Common knowledge you say. What an idiot. I am proud of NVHS and I will not apologize for wanting my kids to go there. Let's see if we have any volunteers to leave. You must really think you are somebody to judge me, my family, my neighbors and all who oppose the SB. You're the one starting to sound selfish and desperate. And, you are right you can't reason with the unreasonable like the SB.

Anonymous on April 12, 2008 2:41 PM

"More quotes in The Herald today from Brookdale resident Jennifer Streder." illustrates the NSFOC battle plan. If you do not like the message, attack the messenger. The NSFOC cannot win the lawsuit so they will attempt to intimidate and bully anyone who stands in their way. These are the same nine cowards who hide behind a corporation and an attorney.

Bullies of the NSFOC, you are outnumbered. We will not be intimidated or bullied. The more you pull these stunts the stronger we get.
****************************************************************

I'm not trying to intimidate or bully anyone. I would just like to understand why Ms. Streder vehemently opposed decisions by the SB when she perceived them as negatively impacting her child, yet heaps praise at SB meetings, City Council meetings and the press after the SB made similar decisions impacting other people's children but no longer hers. I don't recall people praising the SB for the 2006 boundary decisions impacting her child. Why does she feel justified praising the SB and calling a neighborhood "elitists" when the same situation applies to someone else? Who is trying to bully who here?

As for the "nine cowards" you refer to. That means alot coming from someone who posts under "Anonymous".

It was nice to hear that the leadership of Ames church was willing to sell the additional land. Now we can build the new school on time while also eliminating the issue regarding the health hazard on the MG land. With the health hazard issue now addressed satisfactorily, I am sure that this concerned group from TG and WE will withdraw their resistance.

Hi Moderator Jim

Democracy Advocate (DA) was able to contact me. We are going to touch base on a potential thread and I will be sending some of my thoughts directly to DA. Hopefully we can get something posted in the next few days for you to edit/review. Since the idea first came from DA, it is only fair that DA post the potential thread for you to review. Is this OK with you Moderator Jim?

Side note: the AME trustee's name is Greg Forest. It is spelled with one R. The daily hearld misspelled his name once in their article and added 2 R's.

Greg Forrest DOES NOT = Greg Forest. I just wanted to make sure there was no confusion on the blogs. We are two different people.

Moderator Jim to Greg Forrest: That's great, Greg. Look forward to you and Democracy's collaborative effort....would love to post it from you guys. Thanks for the footnote...was confused for a bit. Now got it - you with 2 rrs, church guy with one r. Thanks.

To Greg Forest AME Trustee regarding your statement: "We've put all of the options on the table so equality and justice can prevail over selfishness and discontent. That is God's will."

HELLOOOOOOOOOO anybody home? equality and justice would be treating your Eola location just the same (READ EQUAL) as was done on the BB location. Market it to THE ENTIRE D204 and allow folks to vote on the benefits (or lack there of) of this site for the entire district.

I can certainly understand your business reasons for rethinking your decision to sell your land. I think its a brilliant move. Nonprofit/tax free and with the proceeds, you can find another piece of land and build a state of the art facility and still have a significant cash reserve. But dont try and push this as some kind of "equalizer" UNLESS the board is prepared to treat Eola site as they did for BB.

From What do they say about religion and politics... on April 12, 2008 3:36 PM

.."I was obviously disappointed to see that the AMES Church leadership has decided to invoke God's Will into its justification for now considering selling the entire 84 acres to the District. It is also troubling that the Church leadership has come to the conclusion that building a school on any land other than the EOLA site would be an injustice to the children of 204..."
-------------------------------
AMEN!! i could not have said this any better!

i will trust that AME will do the right thing.. but, i would assume it is a very difficult decision to make when you are renting space for weekly services at Granger Middle School(a District 204 school in Stonebridge Subdivision for those who might not know) for 2(?) years now.

If the high school was built at eola, i had heard that parking lots would be shared between the school and church; also, i would assume the church would have wanted to rent facilities at the high school when they needed larger spaces even after their own church was built on the eola site(sounded like 'win-win' for them).

-- so i was very concerned that there might be too cozy of a relationship going on here between AME & SD204 in land discussions.

Now i am,even more, concerned!.... and as you('What do they say about religion and politics') have said above.. you "..hope that the Administration, Board and Church proceed very openly and deliberately in land discussions/negotiations so that both God's will and the will of the 204 electorate are properly protected."

i, also, hope everything is done above board.

By Anonymous on April 12, 2008 3:40 PM
SO let's see if I am getting the NSFOC message today. $31,000,000 dollars is a fair price for the BB site but $17,000,000 is too much for the Eola land?

The BB land is worth that because it is a prime location for development?

The school district should buy the most expensive available 80 acre parcel within the district boundaries?

The tax payers of the district should have to shoulder the burden of the most expensive 80 acre parcel of land in the district because the entitled nine will not be happy if we don't?

The entitled nine supporters will continue to bully and intimidate anyone who can do the math and see that the notion of buying the most expensive parcel of land in the district is just plain ridiculous and an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars?

FYI, donations to St John's AME are tax deductable. They will freely admit it. They do not feel you should have to pay a tax preparer to find out what they already know.
.......................................
Maybe others can read the fact that I am not part of the NSFOC. $31 million is ok for the best property in the area and does the best at suiting the stated needs of the district. $17 million is too much for any land owned by this Energy Company. Just because AME bought it from Midwest Generation does not make it totally safe. They owned it since 2004 and still did not build their great church. They are first in line to save the children now that they see their Millions disappearing.

So you now say that the SB can't afford the BB deal because they got what they asked for. In fact a judge had to decide the issue. Maybe the SB can go to church at AME and learn how to be honest. Don't tell the SD it can afford it, convince them they need it, and take someone to court to take it for less promising they would pay what the Judge decides, only to walk away a bunch of losers. They could afford it then, they just did not want to pay it. Why would the SB idiots think they could go after the most expensive property in Naperville to begin with? Maybe others are right, that the SB had the EOLA property plan all along. Maybe there is an inside connection to the AME Church.

You really are a piece of work, looking for donations for a Church that is going to make 600% profit from our tax dollars. No one thought their donations to the NSFOC was deductible as it states on the website. You should go back to church and ask the lord to give you a dose of common sense. NSFOC and BB will win the lawsuits and the lord knows it too. The SB just has a bunch of idiots like Metzger that will do and say anything to get there way. Don't cry when you can't afford your taxes when BB and NSFOC win. It can be settled the right way, right now. Tell the SB to do the right thing.

Donate to Holy Spirit, they are not entering into this mess and will probably handle the money for much better causes.

I live in the SW section of the district. We don't need another "Southern or South Western HS". Put one in a more Northern location and shift the student population around in order to accomodate any remaining growth in the Southern/Southwestern and Easternmost sections of the SD.

Here are the options reviewed by the SB.
http://www.ipsd.org/Uploads/news_17229_1.pdf

Macom Property - too close to NVHS
- multiple owners.
- Power lines bisect the property (not close to property they actually cut it in half)
- Next to RR tracks - argument by NSFOC against RR tracks at EOLA property next to RR why not here too?
- Next to active electric substation - not one that is being dismantled
- Close proximity to Land Fill along 111th street west of 59
Click on this link and scroll North to see what I'm talking about (substation, RR tracks, power lines etc.): http://www.mapquest.com/maps/petersen+elementary:naperville+il/#a/search/l:::Naperville:IL::US:41.785801:-88.147202:city:Dupage+County/m::15:41.69435:-88.230842:0:0:/so:Peterson+Elementary:::d::25:::::/e

Hamman Property: - too close to NVHS
- Not even in the School District
- Next to RR tracks - argument by NSFOC against RR tracks at EOLA property next to RR why not here too?
Use the same link as above to scroll slightly north and then west of the RR tracks along Wolf's Crossing Road to see the land.

Brach Brodie:
- we all know the story here - too much $$$
- better suited for retail as this is a high traffic corridor with shopping along both sides of 59

Eola - (the "new" Eola - AME property):
- looks pretty sweet from where I sit, especially when you take away the 37 MWG acres - the remaining land we're talking about is farmland. Much the same as BB only TONS less expensive.

to: What do they say about politics and religion & anon2:
Where are you getting the following quote from Greg Forest/AME??
"It is also troubling that the Church leadership has come to the conclusion that building a school on any land other than the EOLA site would be an injustice to the children of 204..."

Where did this quote come from????? Where did you see Greg Forest say this?????

By Other Land Options on April 12, 2008 5:05 PM
.......................
Yes maybe if the church really wanted to help the children they would sell the land they bought from Midwest Gen for 2.9million for a fair market value which would be about 4.5 million given the prior history of the owners use. This land was owned by Midwest Gen and could have been used for anything back in the 70s and 80s and would not have needed to report anything. You really want to chance that to save a buck? You think the church will have a charitable heart for the children of D204. Greed is so good when the lord advises but in TG and WE, we are just a bunch of Racist, Elitist, Good for Nothing....

You're more-off than moron.

Plus where in your brilliant calculations to do you account for the extra bussing, extra split schools, Pipeline running through it, lawsuits still pending. I would like to see the Judge's rule before you talk this SB into making another idiotic decision costing us many more millions before we even get started. But as others say I am the greedy one because I happen to live in TG right?

Thank you AME, your flock will certainly grow! AME's property is fine been growing soybean's and corn for many years, I don't think MG would have sold property to AME knowing there would be a problem, and risk a litagation.

To Other Land Options

your analysis is so biased to your own property. You're obviously not an engineer. I doubt you live in the SW. "sweet from where I sit....." where really? Brookdale? Ginger Woods? Stonebridge?

Macom Property - too close to NVHS (SO? THAT'S WHERE MOST PEOPLE ARE AND WANT TO GO)
- multiple owners. (SO? MULTIPLE OWNERS AT EOLA. THIS IS A PAPERWORK "ISSUE" AND MAY NOT EVEN BE ONE
- Power lines bisect the property (not close to property they actually cut it in half) (SO? THE NORTH HAS JUST TRIED TO CONVINCE EVERYONE THAT THEY ARE NO RISK, RIGHT?)
- Next to RR tracks - argument by NSFOC against RR tracks at EOLA property next to RR why not here too? (I DON'T THINK RRs WERE A NSFOC ISSSUE, OR IF ANYTHING, IT WAS MINOR. EVERY AREA HAS RRs, WE CAN"T SEEM TO AVOID THEM
- Next to active electric substation - not one that is being dismantled (THESE EXIST ALL OVER NAPERVILLE. THEY PROPOSE NO THREAT.)
- Close proximity to Land Fill along 111th street west of 59 (NOT AN ACTIVE LANDFILL AND NOT VERY CLOSE)

Where do you get your "quotes"? on April 12, 2008 5:08 PM
Here's the exact quote taken from today's Daily Herald:

"Our stance was always that our 80 acres was not negotiable, to the school district or anyone," Forest said Friday. "But the church is very saddened for the children of District 204 and disappointed for them. We've put all of the options on the table so equality and justice can prevail over selfishness and discontent. That is God's will."

I wonder if they felt disappointed and sad for the children when they bought, held, and then sold the last piece of property they owned on Eola Road a few years back, just a few miles south of where they are now. They had a big sign that said their church was "Coming Soon". Guess not, as it never happened. And so maybe now they've struck gold again - this time dumping land with an undesirable and yet to be fully disclosed past (confidentiality on Midwest Gen's documents) on the district taxpayers of 204. How smart these people are! I bet the Trustees they have to look over their real estate investments are very pleased with this opportunity to help us in our time of need.

As the lesson for this day seems to be "equality and justice" prevailing over "selfishness and discontent", maybe this good man of the church should first be shown a copy of Jennifer Streder et al's comments from two years ago, and then compare them against the hateful, spiteful comments towards others coming forth from them today. I truly doubt he'd want to be associated with such hypocrisy.

Just when I thought this situation, the comments, and the justifications for this pathetic "anything goes" approach to our district's future...........Eola has become the "will of God".
Absolutely unbelievable. You couldn't pay people to come up with stuff this good!

Dear Earth to SB on April 12, 2008 5:50 PM

I can see that any boundary scenario that doesn't enable your neighborhood to be a feeder for NVHS is not going to be met with wild support by your neighborhood.

If you were able to work out your anger issues in a way other than taking it out on bloggers with dissenting views, you might actually see why some other options - other than BB - might actually have merit.

I think most of us have tried to see the many sides of the boundary issues and want what is best for the SD.

It does not appear, at least from your blogs, that you care anything about what is best for the SD. You seem only to care about yourself. That, my friend, is the definition of greedy.

To anon2: yes AME property has benn a farm land for atleast 6 years since I moved here. I take Eola road to Deihl road to take I88. It has been used to grow corn. The Google pictures may have been taken after a harvest.

As others have pointed out that AME bought this land in 2004 but this was a farm land even before that. I have seen it as such since 2002. The people opposed to this site may have been eating corn from this very site! They should check size of their heads tonight.

No, Earth to SB, we don't see you as greedy, just idiotic and moronic. So you have a Hispanic spouse, so what?? Does that somehow give you the right to slam others?

So glad you could find the time to come back on this board and bash anyone who states an opinion differing from yours. When are you going to call someone a "retard" as you did yesterday? Hope the new school is built on the AME land just to spite you and your hateful blog rants.

to - Go Macom on April 12, 2008 6:50 PM

Duh...the powerlines on the Macom property will have to be moved per documentation from the SD. Who's paying for that if the Macom property is purchased? Seems like a needless expense if you can find a property where there aren't powerlines needing to be moved.

NSFOC threw everything they could thing of + the kitchen sink into their lawsuit and did include RR tracks, powerlines, electric substations (EMFs), etc. etc. etc. Raving lunatics.

Don't landfills potentially leach contaminants into the soil and water table? Just pointing it out since NSFOC will try to weave a new web of lies against another location once they realize that BB is gone and isn't coming back.

I have to read these blogs with amusement. Everyone is trying to break everything down with dreamed up possibilities. Despite all of the useless rhetoric no one really knows anything. The way this SB has been going don't be surpised if the next site is in Bolingbrook next to the dump. Forget about Eola, its done. I hope someone is taking notes as a really great book could be written based on the "#204 wars".
This used to be a great school district. People wanted to move here. No more. There is nothing special about NV any more. The SB, the people fighting and the jerks who are in back of the lawsuits have wrecked the district.

To Do Unto Others..... on April 12, 2008 2:47 PM--

We have no way of knowing whether Brookdale wanted to sue back in '06, but if they did, they sure as heck aren't going to fess up to it now. My guess, however, is that they didn't consider it; not because they virtuously conceded to what was best for the district, but because, as Laura Steffak put it in the 2006 Herald article, "They did a head count and decided they did not need Brookdale votes (to pass the referendum)". Brookdale knew they were in the minority and felt there was nothing further they could do about it. Not so with TG and WE.

I think what irks Brookdale most about the NSFOC lawsuit is that the NSFOC had the organizational skills, business acumen, resources and courage to do what Brookdale only wished they could have done back in '06.

Brookdale voted overwhelmingly AGAINST building Metea when it was going to be used by other people's children, and are resoundingly FOR building Metea now that it will be used by their own children.

This is the epitome of selfishness, it it's purest form.

Every single one of our homes has lost value. I just got my home assessed and it is now worth $100k less than it was just a few months ago.

This is a huge factor on which we should all be standing on the township assessors doorstep demanding our tax rate be adjusted. Before I go off on a rant on that aspect I'll let the Naperville Sun consider it for a new story and a new column on this blog.

However, following the thought that all of our homes are worth about 15-20% less than they were just a few months ago causes me to ask why the SB isn't factoring that into their valuations of the available land sites.

If we consider that the SB now says they can build a school on 50 acres instead of the 80 original acres that leaves us open to do the following math:

The jury, at the time of award, decided the land was worth twice what the SB estimated. Since we already owned 25 acres and needed 80 acres; we still needed to buy 55 acres. Taking only half the land from BB would be 27.5 acres and keep it within the original estimate. Add the 25 and 27.5 acres together and we would have 52.5 acres and not be over budget.

However, would it be worth it now that the land values are depressed to go back to court and seek a new award that is 15-20% lower in keeping with current fair market values. If we could win that argument we could pick up an additional 8-11 acres for a total of up to 63.5 acres for the amount of money we started with.

OK, go ahead and pick apart my numbers and see what you get, but I do think there is value of advancing the conversation of land acquisition in terms of the current depressed real estate market.

I wonder if the pastor and the Church is concerned about the children and injustice done to the 1000s of students who are displaced due to the school NOT being where it was suppose to be.

How selfish for them to say that the injustice is why they want to sell the property now.

Let's be honest, they see an advantage to their members getting a new school that was not voted for, and they want to now sell the property since Midwest Gen won't sell the property.

Shame on them. God's will? I didn't know that God's will was for their members and not for the rest of us.

1) Vote for new school was for BB.
2) Vote for Eola could not pass.

When we start invoking "God" into our argument is when we really take it too far.

Sounds like people trying to make it a race equality argument instead of "build a 3rd high school where the voters wanted it" type of argument.

Re: Where do you get your quotes 5:08 pm

To clear things up there is a Greg Forest church guy 1 (r)
There is Greg Forrest Intelligent blogger guy 2(r's)
Greg Forest----Church chat
Greg Forrest ---- Lively considerate blogger