Letter To The Editor: Great Leaders Lead by Example; We Need New Ones in District 15

The following Patch Letter to the Editor was submitted by Palatine resident Melanie Santostefano:

August 16, 2016, was a day that changed the priorities of many parents and taxpayers in District 15.

Barb Kain — my friend, neighbor and a current District 15 board of education candidate — and I were at the school board meeting that night, which immediately followed the very first day of school. It marked the unanimous approval of $130 million referendum by our school board, with no thoughtful discussion prior to the vote.

It was a shocking moment, I must admit. Being a former news reporter, writer and editor, I made a mental note: Why did a vote on such a huge community question mark seem so rushed — hasty even? To me, the immediate green-light vote represented complete ignorance about the wishes of the very people the school board is elected to represent, and a true "out of touch" mentality. My feelings have remained staunchly unchanged to this day, nearly nine months after the fact.

Barb and I started collaborating as two concerned moms, and we ultimately garnered support from thousands of D15 residents through grassroots efforts. These residents are just as passionate as we are about the referendum being all wrong for our community. From the ill-researched goals and price tag, to the elimination of Osage Park — the only park for northeast Palatine residents — and the building of a segregated school on that park property.

Let's not forget the redrawing of our boundaries by a team that included David Border, who is also running for school board alongside the incumbents who rubber stamped the referendum. Note: Dave Border’s neighborhood school was the ONLY one whose boundaries didn’t change at all in the redraw, while other neighborhoods were torn apart. There was much more askew with this plan, including the serious lack of any real engagement with the D15 community at large, but you get the point.

Ultimately, 33,055 voters in our community, nearly 70 percent, voted NO.

Yes, we all can and should learn from our mistakes. A "roll up our sleeves" approach to activism is a must —That's a given. But, members on our school board have had too many chances already. Their decisions and behaviors remain the same despite public outcry, and that indicates that change is not only beneficial, but direly necessary.

It would be one thing if the referendum were the only example of poor decision-making. But, detrimental choices by our school board have become a pattern of behavior. We see very clear examples of this through a 10-year timeline of decisions that, to me, exemplify true disappointment and embarrassment: District 15: A 10-Year Timeline of Decisions, Continuing Controversies.

There are five District 15 residents, parents and taxpayers who vow to bring strong, new leadership to our school board: Leadership that harnesses out-of-the box strategies, creative problem-solving methods, conservative views about spending and above all, complete and thorough engagement with our entire community about decisions that affect each of our lives. These individuals will do all of this while keeping their No. 1 goal in mind: Ensuring that D15 school children receive a world-class education; one that will prepare them for the inevitable life challenges ahead.

The "Engage D15" candidate team includes Frank Annerino, Mike Smolka, Anthony Wang, Lisa Szczupaj and Barb Kain. This five-person change agent has collectively highlighted the litany of poor choices made by those who sit on our school board. Current board members, do you remember that holding public office means you are accountable to those you're elected to represent?

All of the Engage D15 candidates have also proposed viable solutions addressing the many issues facing the district, and have consistently made themselves available to the hardworking taxpayers throughout their campaign. This is something that the incumbents and their slate members cannot claim, as they've remained inaccessible in the shadows. The appropriate question about this, of course, is why? What are they afraid of?

Our new, promising five candidates have endured preposterous allegations, ranging from being a politically arranged group, to accusations of being against the rights of those who are transgender. Well, it’s all a bunch of hogwash; obviously, an effort by extreme groups and unfortunately, the incumbents themselves, to distract voters from the real issues our school district is facing.

There is no malicious political machine, and no big funding behind the Engage D15 team. I should know because I am the person who brought this group of five together. After the ill-fated referendum, I reached out within my networks to identify individuals who were interested in running for school board. In total, 10 stepped up, and all 10 convened in late December (I was there) to vote for the five people who are now running as Engage D15. It was a highly democratic process, with absolutely no local partisan politicians present.

And why am I as involved as I am? Because I am an engaged resident and parent, and I care deeply about our community. I am raising my child here, who attends D15 schools, so I’ve got skin in this game. I, of course, want the very best for him, and for each child who lives within our district's conveniently redrawn boundaries.

As far as political affiliation, I classify myself as an independent, though I will admit to being fiscally conservative. This group of five parents and taxpayers, the Engage D15 team, have accepted modest donations from other hardworking taxpayers who care about our community. They have NOT accepted help and financial backing from political factions, unions or special interest groups as the incumbent candidates have; both historically and in the current school board race.

Have you seen the two mailers incumbents have sent containing the word “HATE?” If you're baffled, you are not alone. These communications continue to confuse and astonish me. It's also important to note that these mailers are funded by unions, including that for teaching assistants whose contract is up this year. If this isn't a red flag, I’m not sure what is.

We all pay extremely high taxes to live in Cook County and we need a group of people – yes, a majority on the school board – to facilitate thoughtful conversations before big decisions; watch our tax dollars wisely; and ensure that any decision impacting the lives and livelihoods of our taxpayers are steered by the community first. This is the promise of the Engage D15 team, and I believe in them.

Barb Kain, Frank Annerino, Mike Smolka, Anthony Wang and Lisa Szczupaj will be inclusive and collaborative on behalf of those they are elected to represent. That comprises residents who are independents, democrats, and republicans; those who are transgender, gay and straight; business owners; and any other group vested in the education provided to the deserving students of our school district.

This is a call-to-action for every constituent seeking the changes described above: We need your votes. Our schools need your votes. Our teachers need your votes. Our children need your votes. After all, our school board is elected to represent us. Electing individuals to the board who are willing to do just that is long overdue. This is serious. It's important. And it's time.

Here’s a link to the Engage D15 sample ballot, please feel free to download and print it so you can bring it with you to your voting place.

- Melanie Santostefano, Palatine resident

Patch Letters to the Editor can be sent to Palatine Patch editor Joe Vince at joe.vince@patch.com. Write "Letter to the Editor" in the subject line of the message. Include your full name, address and a phone number you can be reached at (your contact information will not be published). Also indicate if you want the the letter to be posted on the site. Letters may be edited.

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