112 Plan is Well-Constructed and Will Attract Strong Families: Letter

The following letter was written and submitted by Abigail Perkins.

The upcoming vote on the bond referendum is a complex issue, and there is good reason for healthy debate. I have reviewed the data and discussion around this plan – and ones from neighboring districts for comparison and education - wearing two hats: (1) as the mother of three children and (2) as a senior financial executive. For me, the decision to vote yes boiled down to five points:

Inaction is not responsible, and uncertainty is expensive. We are not voting among two comparable alternatives. We are voting for action or inaction. Markets hate uncertainty, and turning down this plan will impact every homeowner’s ability to continue to command a premium price for their homes.

The plan is well constructed with strong return on our investment. All options available to Highland Park contain difficult choices, and the Board has developed a balanced approach to solving the problem with a focus on only essentials: improved academic-focused facilities, cost containment, safety, and delivery of the education required to compete in the future.

Strong schools attract strong families. Businesses compete for great talent, and communities compete for great families. Highland Park is great, because great families move here for the schools. A sound school system will continue to attract the families that make Highland Park great.

I want better educational outcomes for my kids. Companies invest heavily in facilities knowing that facilities attract better talent and elicit better outcomes. Our situation is no different. This plan will (a) maintain low teacher-to-student ratios, (b) create facilities that drive better student outcomes, and (c) make Highland Park an employer of choice for teachers.

Two wrongs don’t make a right. A common complaint focuses on the perceived failures of 10-year old policies. Prior policy decisions may or may not have made the current environment more difficult, but it doesn’t make this plan the wrong answer. We cannot go back in time and get that money back. We need to make the best decision available to us now.

For everyone that intends to vote on March 15, I encourage you to get your information directly from the updated district website of 112information.org. It offers a wealth of data on the proposed plan.

I hope you join me in voting YES.

Abigail Perkins