District 86 Has 'Carefully Laid Out Plan': Letter

HINSDALE, IL - Angie Sartori, of Clarendon Hills, sent the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Patch the following letter in support of a proposed a $139,815,893 referendum that will be on the April 2 ballot for voters in Hinsdale Township High School District 86.

Invest in D86 before we lose more of our best teachers, staff and residents

Dr. Law is leaving District 86, but he did his research and carefully picked a top district that has already invested heavily in its facilities.

Deerfield/Highland Park, a 2-high school district, passed their referendum in 2013 after a loss in 2011. One of the leaders of their opposition actually switched to the side of the schools after he saw just how much work was needed on their high school buildings. They now have two upgraded buildings and two new pools.

Theirs was not an argument of Highland Park vs Deerfield, nor a campaign of misinformation. Rather, it was a disagreement as to whether or not to preserve historical parts of the schools. Both sides agreed that the schools desperately needed work, and both sides presented actual plans to fix the schools. Their opposition wasn't just saying 'do better', change boundaries, bust up teacher's unions, fire the board. No, they both had real plans with real line items and real numbers. The school plan prevailed because it was comprehensive and their estimates were more accurate. $90M approved, but that was 6 years ago, and as we all know, construction prices are only going up.

The cost of their referendum was $263/yr for a $500,000 value home. Sounds eerily similar to ours at $283/yr. The fact is, like them, we have an excellent, carefully laid out plan. We need to get our referendum passed. With or without Dr. Law, nothing should stop us from moving forward like these other districts. And we need it now, before we lose more of our best teachers, staff and residents to these other nearby schools.

Angie Sartori, Clarendon Hills