Reconfiguration Plan 'Not Responsible': Letter

The following letter was written and submitted by Dan Littmann, co-chair of District 112’s SCFFAC committee.

As Len Tenner knows, I value him as a neighbor and friend. And I value his opinion given his service as Chairman of SCFFAC. In the same manner that I constructed my previous notes, I want to ensure we stick to the facts about both the proposed referendum and Len’s comments about my opinions.

- I have never indicated that I would blindly support a $100 million dollar referendum. I have commented that the community deserves to understand what a $100 million option would look like… and the tradeoffs of what we could get for $100 million (as an illustrative amount) in terms of square footage, new versus renovated facilities, etc.

- The community should not get confused by per household tax increases. What matters to the financial stability of any school district, business, community or household, is the total amount of cash spent. $200 million is $200 million… full stop. The argument that it only amounts to a few extra hundred dollars per household per year is reminiscent of the argument that credit card companies and mortgage brokers use to upsell clients beyond their means. $200 million is $200 million. And if the community runs afoul of its debt covenants, it is the citizens who pick up the tab.

- Len characterizes the fact that we would spread our payments out over 30 years (instead of 20) as a positive factor. However, an extra decade of debt for District 112 is significant. Can any of us really have predicted our current educational needs in 1985?

And the fact that the district has, just last week, secured permission from the state of Illinois to “borrow extra” should cause concern, not comfort.

Leadership is about making choices and trade-offs. Leadership is about finding creative solutions to difficult problems. The current solution fails to make the cost trade-offs that would qualify it as a responsible solution. With a bit more creativity and open mindedness, we have a unique opportunity to bring the community together while addressing our district’s facilities and financial needs. In the spectrum of difficult problems, this one is utterly solvable. Highwood and Highland Park can do better. We will do better.