Be Open-Minded When Voting on Referendum: Letter

The following letter was written and submitted by Lauren Klayman.

Citizens of District 112 have many reasons to vote for and against the referendum on the March 15th ballot. I urge you, those undecided and those “yes,” those confused and those “no,” to consider in an open minded way for whom you are voting.

The financial situation in which the Highland Park, Highwood, and Fort Sheridan school district finds itself may seem to affect you personally, but this vote is about the youngest children in our community who will benefit or suffer most visibly from the decision you make with your vote. The person for whom you will cast your vote is not yourself. Your vote represents an exceptional education for the amazing, ready, excited, open-minded and gifted 8 year olds (and younger) of our community.

But it could usher in a poorly funded scramble riddled with questionable and limited choices for our children’s future.

With your yes vote, District 112’s children will experience a nationally recognized, well-researched and expertly designed education. The investment of funds proposed in the referendum will enable critical safety upgrades to all remaining schools, deepen the quality of education for each child, and maintain the outstanding education that District 112 is known for. A proven reputation for valuing education is a primary reason why families move into our community, and why they will buy your home when you are ready to sell it. Keeping District 112 educationally competitive in the high standards of the North Shore is imperative.

Providing our children with the best possible education is essential.

This vote will be made by adults—those 18 and older—who can learn and research, debate and decide for themselves. But the referendum is not for the adults. I urge each of you to read all the factual information available (at moving112forward.com at 112information.org). Learn about the alternative plans (none of which solve the current or long term financial or aging building issues). Read carefully about how the referendum addresses each of the issues facing us and benefits the ready and waiting children in this time of great change, providing an incredible opportunity for them and for our entire community.

Your vote can welcome in a devolved, continually compromised, financially struggling school system for these amazing children, OR it can usher them easily into an environment developed and created for their highest good as citizens and thinkers in our community, and for our changing world. Your choice now is for a divisive scramble of who goes to what old school with diminished services, larger class sizes, and continued financial instability, OR for helping the children of our community to walk a path of supported transition, individualized learning, safety, and financial responsibility for their future and for ours. With change comes natural resistance, and great opportunity. Please consider your vote a voice for the opportunities and future of our community’s children. Please vote YES on March 15.

Lauren Klayman - Highland Park