4RD15Kids Endorses Engage D15 Candidates for District 15 School Board

Dear residents of School District 15,

You likely remember that last fall, 4RD15Kids united thousands of District 15 residents to push back and vote against the irresponsible and poorly planned $130 million building bond referendum (about 33,000 of us). This thrown together plan that was unanimously approved by our current school board members (who are now seeking re election), called for sweeping changes to our school district with a huge, and unjustified price tag. There was no weigh-in from the very people who shoulder the substantial burden to fund our public schools; our District 15 community members at-large.

Having a premier school district with the very best teachers and administrators is an absolutely necessity to entice people to move here and make District 15 their home. But, the ways in which this plan and many, many other decisions over the last decade that have been made are causing us very serious concerns. How must we look to those on the outside of D15 who are observing this questionable behavior and past?

• Engaging the entire community is at the core of what every school district should, and must do. We have examples all around us of school districts that have begun conversations with their stakeholders about big plans, months, and even years in advance of considering implementation. Not in District 15.
• Financial transparency, accountability and responsibility must be a core philosophy for a school board, if for nothing else, because roughly two-thirds of our property taxes fund our public schools. This does not, and has not occurred in the last 10 years, in District 15.
• Accessibility, openness and the ability to accept feedback, though it might not always be positive, is needed to develop strong, two-way communication and trust. Most recently, during the 82 day period from when the school board unanimously approved the referendum and election day (August 16-November 8), individuals who questioned the referendum were condescended, treated rudely and even cut off when speaking by our own superintendent in public meetings. We didn't see many school board members at these meetings either (there were a few, but not everyone, and certainly not at every meeting.) Trust in our school board is essential, and it has been lost.

Here we see just a few snapshot examples as to why our current school board, and administration through the school board's supervision of this role, are not functioning properly. They haven't been for at least the last decade. And we believe now is the time for change.

In the second half of 2016, 4RD15Kids encountered thousands of our residents, and so many confided in us that they were not feeling represented by the very people who were elected to represent us. The balance that should be found in a school district is as follows: 1) the school board is elected by the people, to represent the people, 2) the school board is also charged with overseeing the superintendent and developing policy, in addition to watching over the financials to run a school district, thus representing the people who fund it (we, the taxpayers), 3) the superintendent is charged with overseeing teachers, curriculum and all operations, and 4) teachers and other school district employees have their own representation through their union.

Our observations are that our school district is out of balance, and the lines between these important divisions have been blurred, evidenced by a recent article that documents 10 years of decisions that have shown that invited community weigh-in has been at an all time low. Decisions that have been made have shown a disrespect, and disregard for all of our taxpayers. The school board has a fiduciary responsibility to be the voice of the people, and our voice has almost nearly been snuffed out.

Our endorsement for the District 15 school board race is the Engage D15 team of candidates, which include Barb Kain, Lisa Szczupaj, Anthony Wang, Mike Smolka and Frank Annerino. We make this endorsement because these individuals are paying attention, and are running on a platform that includes a focus on real community engagement (not a committee that was thrown together 10 days before Christmas in 2016 to make it appear as if the school district wants to hear from our residents), watching our tax dollars carefully so that we maximize every dollar toward continuing to improve District 15 for our entire community, and equally important, restoring trust. We must all be honest, there is no trust left for this current school board due to its decisions and behavior.

We also like that this group is different in every way; they live in different neighborhoods, have a variety of careers, educational backgrounds and even political affiliations they identify with. Despite media reports which we believe are becoming very biased for an unknown reason, this group is made up of two Republicans, an Independent and two Democrats. This is verified.

Dozens of individuals have reached out to us stating they have sent in Letters to the Editor in support of the Engage D15 team at the good old DH, and NONE have been printed. Not one. That certainly appears one-sided to us.

It's time for change in our school district, our children and parents deserve it - as do all of the people who work hard every day and earnestly pay their taxes to support public education. We ask you to support the Engage D15 candidates. Early voting has begun, and will last until April 3. Election Day is April 4th. Here is a link to the Cook County Clerk if you need to find information on where to vote http://www.cookcountyclerk.com....

We need brighter days in District 15, and now is the time for action.

Please vote for positive change.

Thank you for reading.

4RD15Kids