'I Am Disappointed,' LW Grad Tells School Board. 'Figure This Out'

A young woman who was in the first class to graduate from Lincoln-Way North High School took the board of education to task Wednesday night after a presentation about the district’s dire financial situation.

District 210 is facing the likelihood of closing a high school, cutting a class period, seeking a tax hike or some combination of those options to address withered finances. Wednesday was the second of two informational sessions for the public.

This spring, the district was placed on the 2015 Financial Watch list, the lowest possible financial rating made by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Samantha Nekola, a 2010 graduate, came to deliver a message.

“What I witnessed tonight was nothing more than a persuasive essay in the form of a Powerpoint. That Powerpoint was followed by crossed arms, shaking heads and rolled eyes. I am disappointed in the body language of the board,” Nekola said.

She began her high school years at Lincoln-Way East, then moved to North, the district’s first new high school in 30 years. Her alma mater, North, has been the subject of much of the school-closing talk, although administrators and board members are quick to point out no “formal” discussions or decisions have taken place. Nekola was a standout basketball player, a coach to elementary-age youngsters — and a team leader.

She learned to be a leader at Lincoln Way. She did not see leadership tonight.

“I went to East. I walked shoulder-to-shoulder. I was told which stairway I could go up or down. I was a number. ... Then I went to North, where I became a person,” she said to the board and to those assembled at the meeting. “I am proud of North, and to tell me that my sister cannot have that pride as a solution, I’m wondering where are my role models that once taught me to never give up.

“I am telling you as an alumn(a), and a big sister, figure it out.”

Look to Patch Thursday morning for more information from Wednesday’s discussion.