Merging School Districts? Darien Mayor Doubts It'll Happen

DARIEN, IL – Florida is nearly two-thirds larger than Illinois. Yet it only has 69 school districts to Illinois' more than 850.

In Darien and elsewhere, though, even talking about the possibility of consolidating districts is sure to upset.

Over the last few months, Darien Alderman Eric Gustafson has opposed a tax increase referendum in Center Cass School District 66, which passed in the Nov. 8 election.

In his statements, Gustafson argued that Center Cass, Cass District 63 and Darien District 61 should merge.

During Monday's City Council meeting, resident Mary Testa said she did not mind discussing consolidation in a "dispassionate" way.

But she said she objected when someone like Gustafson used his bully pulpit to advance a position against the district – in essence, against a sizable number of his constituents.

Gustafson noted he has never expressed opposition to the tax hike proposal during a council meeting. In past meetings, he has told the public to get educated about the referendum and vote.

When others said the alderman argued against the tax increase elsewhere, Gustafson said, "As a private citizen, I have a right to express my opinion. My opinion has always been for the actual consolidation, not of schools, but of districts."

A couple of speakers alleged Gustafson personally attacked the Center Cass superintendent and school board.

"The council should be aware of how their colleague is representing this body," tax hike supporter Elizabeth Uribe said.

Gustafson denied waging personal attacks.

A dozen years ago, Mayor Joseph Marchese said he took part in a committee that studied the possibility of consolidating Cass 63 and Darien 61. It was a complicated issue, he said, requiring one district to raise its tax rate.

After the study, one district agreed to consolidate, while the other did not, Marchese said.

In her comments, Uribe accused Gustafson of "recklessly" presenting consolidation as an option "to save our kids."

"It's not," she said. "We fought about this for a long time. It was irresponsible to bring up that possible resolution when it isn't one."

Marchese threw doubt on the possibility of consolidation.

"I don't think it's going to happen, so I wouldn't worry about it," the mayor told Uribe.

Uribe agreed.

"I'm certainly not in favor of consolidation. I don't think it makes sense based on my own research and the research that Mr. Gustafson has provided himself," Uribe said.

An audience filled with tax increase supporters applauded.

"Voter approval is really unlikely, especially with our group," Uribe said. "We're kind of tough."