LTHS To Revisit Land Sale Controversy

LA GRANGE, IL – For the first time in more than six months, the Lyons Township High School board on Monday plans to discuss the controversy over possibly selling the school's land in Willow Springs.

In a public statement late Friday morning, the board promised to establish a "transparent and intentional approach" to its communications and decision-making on the 70 acres.

The board made a similar promise in late November, but kept key information secret from the public.

The board also held two closed sessions on Jan. 23 about the land sale. In May, the attorney general found the board broke the law by closing the doors to the public, ordering the school to release the recordings, which it did.

In the sessions, members generally agreed that its plan to sell the land to an industrial developer would hurt neighbors.

In Friday's statement, the board said it had to balance its obligations to be a good neighbor and a good steward of taxpayer dollars.

"We understand that some residential neighbors and municipal partners nearby have concerns about the development of this property," the board said in the statement. "At the same time, we have heard from others that we must consider the potential for this vacant and unutilized asset to support the District’s ability to maintain and enhance our schools and deliver the excellent education our community and students deserve and expect from (the high school)."

The school priced the land at a minimum of $55 million. That number reflected an appraisal geared toward industrial uses only, which current Willow Springs zoning prohibits.

For residential and small retail uses, which regulations allow, the land would bring far less money for the school, officials said in the closed meetings.

Officials say they need the money for building improvements at both campuses.

In calling for the discussion, the board cited the Willow Springs Village Board's enactment in June of a moratorium on development on the school's wooded land until March. Meanwhile, village officials said they would study the highest and best use for the site.

About a half hour before its statement Friday, the school board emailed officials from Willow Springs, Pleasant Dale Park District and Pleasantdale School District 107. The board encouraged the public bodies to send their elected representatives and senior officials to the meeting.

The land is next to a parkland, Pleasantdale Elementary School, houses, a country club and a UPS facility.

The plan to sell to an industrial developer sparked opposition from nearby residents, the three other public bodies and four other towns.

During much of the closed sessions, board members talked about the strategy to keep information away from the other entities.

Willow Springs Village Administrator Ryan Grace, who has criticized the board's handling of the land sale, said he planned to attend Monday's meeting.

Two members of the seven-member board, Tim Albores and Elvia Nava, have taken office since January.

The board meeting is at 7 p.m. in the Reber Center auditorium, which the school uses when it expects larger crowds.

Breaking with its practice, the board is taking public comments at the end of the meeting, rather than the beginning.

No closed sessions are planned.