Rich District Reform Board Members: We Own It?

On the day she was sworn in to the Rich Township District School Board 227, Cheryl Coleman says she was disappointed when she was denied the traditional opportunity to thank her supporters. 

Later, Coleman learned she and the other new board member, Shelia Hester-Whorton, were shut out of a party at Matteson's Mr. Benny's Steak & Lobster House, while their ousted political rivals were feted.

After Monday's special meeting of the School Board District 227, Coleman admitted, she had another "Mr. Benny's moment" upon learning that the School Board had already bought a building and committed the district to millions of dollars of debt to renovate it, even as her small army of volunteers passed out petitions in Monday's sweltering heat to put the proposal to a public vote.

As Coleman, Whorton, and Dr. David Morgan sat stunned behind a table adorned with a scarlet Rich Township banner, mikes sat at empty places for the rest of the board, who were missing in action: Board President Betty Owens; Vice-President Emmanuel A. Imoukhuede; Secretary Sonya Norwood; and Alyssa Hernandez.

The so-called 'reform' trio needed at least one other member for the quorum necessary to conduct official board business, a fact that was not lost on the members of the audience.

"It's really sad that they're (other board members) not present to answer the residents' questions," said Cynthia Butler, Richton Park village trustee. "And that they knew there would not be a quorum."

"I don't think that this is the right way you're going about it, it does seem like a bait and switch," said Butler. "The rest of your board members, they need to be taken to task."

Raymond F. Coyne, Senior Vice President, of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co, headquartered at 222 W. Adams St. in Chicago, explained that the board has owed more than $4 million dollars since June, and that the ultimate pricetag on the vacant building will be $6 million dollars including renovations and interest payments.

He also admitted that his fee is 1 percent of the total $4.2 million borrowed by the school board. (In an encounter following the meeting, Coyne refused to tell Patch the exact amount of his renumeration, commenting, 'I don't want to be on Patch.")

Resident Fred Veazey tartly compared the deal to buy the vacant building to a 'payday loan.'

"Did I hear you, Mr. Hampton, that you purchased a building last week? This is about the most fraudulent thing...we need to find ourselves a lawyer to take this in, I think these three board members (Coleman, Horley and Morgan) have been kept in the dark."

Asst. Supt. for Finance and Operations Ilandus Hampton told the reform board members and residents that the machinery of the deal never stopped, even though Coleman and Whorton withdrew their support due to concerns that it lacked community input.

Another resident, upon learning that the procedure is legal, although it is called "Back door" responded, "I would have appreciated it if you had taken it through the front door," while another resident pointed out to Dr. Donna Simpson-Leak, superintendent of Rich Township High School District 227, that as a Flossmoor resident, she would not be paying to fund the building.

For her part, Dr. Leak said it was her understanding that Board President Betty Owens would be notifying the board members that the building had been purchased.

Some asked why the board selected the empty 20550 Cicero Ave. building in Matteson as their top choice. Ruben Valleo, of Orland Park-based RE/MAX Synergy, pointed out that the three-story, 47,495-square foot Lincoln Center Office Building at 4343 W. Lincoln Highway is available. 

That building's owner, George Paul Klein, Jr., president of Current Development Corporation, described the Lincoln Center building as centered in the community, while the purchased building on Cicero is much smaller, with much of it consisting of an attached garage.

Klein wryly summed up the evening's events: "The Superintendent can tell the Board President in an email and click it forward to six board members, possibly just three members...that is democracy in action."

Klein had a parting shot for the meeting: "I'd be happy to take the board's building in trade on my building."

Morgan, who appeared appalled by many of the evening's news, said the unfolding of the building project was a surprise, but not shocking. "It's very much what I've been saying the last two years...a board that refuses to listen to the community is a dictatorship," he said.

"This is a violation of the Illinois Open Meeting Act," said Morgan. "The school board czar has given away the storehouse."

"We wanted to make a change and be part of a team, as you can see that's not what's going on," Whorton told the residents. "We need your prayers." She said later that the petition drive would continue, to ensure that residents' voices would be heard, although the way going forward was unclear. Whorton pointed out that one resident suggested returning the borrowed millions, and listing the Cicero building for sale.

After the meeting, resident Tony Veeneman said he was shocked by the evening's revelations. "To see this in action, that they would shut these people out... they're really trying to obfuscate this and shut people out, with three school board members are ignorant, there's something really seriously wrong," he said. "You have to wonder if there's some sort of ulterior motive; why would four people do this?"

The second Meeting will be the "regular board meeting"  tonight, July 19, 2011 at Rich Central High School beginning at 7:30 p.m.

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