Procrastinating Will Only Add to Reconfiguration Cost: Letter

The following letter was written and submitted by Judith and Sam Bernstein.

We do not often get involved in politics, and we no longer have children in the school system. But we want to speak up about the current referendum, and the issues that threaten the education of Highland Park’s children. The financial challenges and decaying facilities of North Shore School District 112 must be addressed. We are fortunate that after years of work by citizen volunteers, experienced educators and other expert professionals, we have a referendum that can ensure providing quality education at acceptable cost.

We understand the proposed single middle-school plan will save around $4 million dollars in staffing costs (compounded annually, and which will therefore grow exponentially). The alternative of two separate middle schools would save only $2 million.

Our buildings need extensive repair for safety, as well as for updating and replacing equipment and structure. If we act now to reduce the number of buildings and invest in facilities for the future, we can maintain current class size guidelines and save millions of dollars by more efficient staffing.

Procrastinating will only increase the price of any solution, as construction costs and interest rates rise, and as facilities further erode. Postponing means inferior education until action is finally taken – as it must be. There is no reason to delay giving our students classrooms modernized for STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) classrooms. There is no reason to keep them in poor quality facilities that lack critical safety features (like fire-suppression sprinklers and secured entry). There is no reason for delay.

Many knowlegable and thoughtful people have spent countless hours studying or district’s problems and crafting the most cost-effective, quality solution. Now is the time for us to accept that solution and begin implementation.

Please join us. Vote YES for the referendum.

Judith and Sam Bernstein