LTHS Plans Closed Meetings On Real Estate Issue

LA GRANGE, IL – The Lyons Township High School board plans to hold two closed sessions Tuesday related to real estate, according to its meeting agenda.

The first one, scheduled for 6 p.m., is for the setting of a price for the sale or lease of property that the school owns. The board's regular meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.

The board also plans to close the doors again after its open session ends. During the second session, the agenda said members also plan to discuss union negotiations and litigation.

With the discussion about real estate, the board is likely addressing its controversial plan to sell 71 acres in Willow Springs.

The board is not planning to take any action Tuesday.

The board first announced its desire to sell the land in late November. But it kept secret its effort to gear the sale price to industrial development, even though Willow Springs' zoning rules bar such a use. Patch revealed the board's plan in January.

Board members have largely kept quiet in public about the effort to sell the land. They said they hoped the proceeds can be used to improve the school's two campuses.

In Patch's recent candidate questionnaire, board member Jill Beda Daniels, who is seeking another term, answered a question about the Willow Springs land.

"A public school considering a transaction like this one has to strike a difficult balance, keeping our constituents informed while keeping some discussions confidential from potential buyers," Daniels wrote. "The LT Board has engaged with members of the community on the issue and will continue to do so."

At the same time, Daniels said, the board must be able to have candid discussions about negotiations. Revealing what was said, she contended, would damage the school if shared with potential buyers.

"We have worked very hard to be as transparent as possible while protecting the District, consulting with attorneys at all times," Daniels said.

She said a potential sale could bring valuable resources to the school. Improvements to the campuses, she said, would give students opportunities and resources that they do not have now.

"Using our current resources to achieve this without a referendum is impactful for all in our district," Daniels said.