LTHS To Avoid Willow Springs Dispute

LA GRANGE, IL – The Lyons Township High School board on Monday has no plans to discuss the controversy surrounding its desire to sell its land in Willow Springs.

Its meeting agenda includes no items on the property in question, which is southwest of 79th Street and Willow Springs Road.

The board also doesn't plan to discuss the issue behind closed doors. A closed session is on the agenda, but real estate is not among the reasons listed.

At the board meeting two weeks ago, Willow Springs' village administrator and residents criticized the high school's plans to sell to an industrial developer. They were cheered by a large audience of supporters.

The commenters spoke at the beginning of the meeting because the sale was on the agenda. Comments about non-agenda issues are required to wait until the end of the meeting, which means commenters must wait hours this time around. This policy is unusual among area government boards.

Also, unlike other public bodies, the school board mandates that public commenters submit a form through its website by 4:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting if they want to comment.

One of the items on the agenda is a discussion of long-term building improvements. Officials contend the sale is needed to pay for those, so the board could use that justification to allow comments about the controversy early in the meeting.

At the last meeting, the board met in its larger auditorium, likely expecting a big crowd as a result of the controversy.

On Monday, however, the board plans to return to its smaller chambers. That's likely an indication that officials believe fewer people will attend.

The land issue has left hard feelings between the high school and government entities such as Willow Springs, Pleasant Dale Park District and Pleasantdale School District 107.

Despite that, the entities have been working for more than a week on a joint statement to the public. They have yet to come to an agreement. Superintendent Brian Waterman did not return a request for comment on the status of that effort.

The board meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday in Room 103-104 at the high school, 100 S. Brainard Ave. The closed session starts at 6 p.m.