'Yes' Vote Will Keep High Standards in D112: Letter

The following letter was written and submitted by Leslie Alter.

When I applied to the SCFFAC committee, I was a parent of three children at Ravinia. I applied because my children had already experienced program cuts due to the district’s financial situation, and I wanted to be part of a solution that would prevent more. It was very challenging to serve on the SCFFAC committee and remember that I was serving the children of the whole community. In order to be effective committee members, we had to leave our school allegiances at the door.

Our community needs to do the same and look at the big picture.

Although the SCFFAC process from start to finish was difficult, it was an open and transparent process. The plan makes sense given the challenges and constraints this district faces at this point in time, especially if the alternative is BDR3. In addition to BDR3, fiscal conditions within the state of Illinois make it likely that the district will be asked to absorb its pension debt. Voters should also consider the persistent threat of the redistribution of funds from comparatively wealthy suburban districts to poorer downstate districts. The overall outlook for education funding in Illinois is at best uncertain. If the state makes good on either threat, it will be a surmountable hardship if the referendum passes, and a disaster under BDR3.

Much of the discussion and press the last several weeks has centered on the accuracy of financial assumptions and forecasts. My professional background is in human resources and organizational behavior. While the financials are of course important, the human capital side of the equation should also be considered. I know from experience that when turbulence is introduced into an organization, it becomes unstable. Continued uncertainty and fear from either a lengthy new referendum process or BDR3 will result in a very uncomfortable, possibly even dysfunctional, learning environment for students. The most marketable teachers will seek jobs elsewhere. Home buyers with young children will think twice about moving to Highland Park when there are stable, highly respected districts in neighboring communities. Families dissatisfied with increased class size, lack of all day kindergarten, and program cuts may elect to send children to private schools or move to other communities. None of this will be good for home values.

The administration has already been stretched thin working on both the referendum and their regular jobs overseeing the delivery of education to District 112 students. Continuing to strain those resources for another several years is not in the best interest of our children. I am voting YES because passing the referendum on March 15th will provide the funds needed now to bring the current facilities and programs back up to the high standards the children of Highland Park deserve.