D112 Plan is 'An Outstanding Way to Best Use Resources': Letter

The following letter was written and submitted by Bobbi and Ken Brown.

Protect your Property Investment -Support the District 112 Referendum by Voting “Yes”

We have lived in Highland Park since 1977 and raised two sons who attended the Highland Park schools. This letter is directed to our fellow real property owners in Highland Park, and those in Highwood and Ft. Sheridan. We represent the vast majority of voters in this area who do not have children attending District 112 schools. We strongly believe that to best protect real property values, our community has to continue to attract young families. Young families are the heart and soul of a vibrant city; they rightly demand an excellent public school system.

We urge you to take a close look at the process first undertaken in November 2012, by a diverse group of 60 fellow residents who formed a committee called SCFFAC. Also, take a close look at the report in which SCFFAC reached an overwhelming consensus as to the most cost effective and creative ways to revitalize and reconfigure District 112. They really did their homework; the proposed plan is an outstanding way to best utilize our resources and maximize educational opportunities. As a community, we cannot afford to delay the inevitable closing of several neighborhood schools. We need to transition according to a plan enabling the best shot at a District admired for its leadership and excellence.

Many residents who oppose the Referendum, and ironically call their group “CARE”, argue that the Referendum is too costly. They emphasize the interest due on the 30 year obligation. Doesn’t everyone consider the full cost of interest paid on a 30 year mortgage before pulling the trigger to purchase a home? Of course not! SCFFAC and the District studied the ramifications of the cost in concluding it was preferable to structure the loan with a fixed interest rate and a gradual tax increase of 1.5% per year. Remember that most current residents will have moved long before the expiration of the 30 year period. CARE supporters ignore that piece of the equation.

Do not be swayed by the naysayers who claim there is a way to fix our District by spending far less money. SCFFAC has carefully examined all angles and concluded other options are unworkable given the high cost of repairing and updating our aging schools, realistic use of available land and existing buildings, downward population trends, and impending deep cuts from Springfield. Regarding the impact of a “No” vote, review the information on the Moving 112 forward website at “The Price of Failure.” Do you want our community to have a reputation of high property taxes, an ailing elementary school district and no coherent plan for the future? We think not.

It is a bad idea to allow strident CARE supporters to muddy the waters and torpedo our best chance to solve the existing problems facing the District. Voting “YES” will fund enhanced educational opportunities and better teacher collaboration, a state of the art middle school, full-day kindergarten, balanced class sizes, safer, air conditioned ADA compliant buildings with sprinklers and safe-entry vestibules, and more extra-curricular opportunities, to name some of the many improvements. Voting “NO” will bring more debate, more disagreement and an uncertain future.
Many of our fellow residents, the independent and well respected League of Women Voters have concluded that the best way forward is to vote “YES”.

The proposed plan provides the best way for our community to create and afford the outstanding schools we all want and need. Please vote “YES” on March 15.

Bobbi and Ken Brown, Highland Park