Palos Park Man Files Petition To Force Vote on School's Plan to Borrow $6.5 M

A Palos Park man filed a petition to force a vote on school district 118’s plan to borrow $6.5 million in working cash funds.

John Donovan, with the aid of volunteers, collected 2,100 for the petition that was filed Monday. Donovan began collecting signatures on Nov. 26, collecting more than 400 signatures over the minimum 1,654, or 10 percent of residents living in the school district, reported the Regional News. Donovan wanted to collect more signatures than the minimum in case the district challenged the petition.

“We believe we have a cushion large enough to survive a challenge, “ Donovan told the Regional news. “We checked the poll sheets prior to filing, and believe we have a high enough margin to succeed.”

If the district does file a legal objection to the petition, it has until a deadline on Monday, Jan. 4, reported the Regional News.

The petition is ultimately a check on an action the school district did would not have had to get approved by the public. If the district decided not to challenge the petition, but to still go forward with the plan to borrow $6.5 million, it would be up to registered voters in the district to pass or fail the action during the November 2016 election. The school board will have until August 2016 to decide.

While the citizens showed support for Donovan’s petition, school officials were not pleased with the delays it may cause when it comes to issuing the bonds. Superintendent Anthony Scarsella said that the petition may have consequences that were not accurately portrayed to those who signed.

“We respect those residents who signed the petition and we look forward to having the opportunity to provide additional and accurate information about the investments we are proposing, most importantly providing greater opportunities for our early childhood and pre-kindergarten students,” Superintendent Scarsella told the Regional News.

Scarsella added that by delaying the bond action until Novemebr 2016 the school district could miss out on federal subsidies and low interest rates. Both of which, would end up putting taxpayers at risk, Scarsella told the Regional News.

Until the school district takes action, or decides not to, the consequences of the petition will have are unknown. But one thing is certain, Donovan’s petition has captivated the attention of the community.

“During the very short window we had to organize this, it was very humbling to see the overwhelming support from so many residents desiring to have input on this issue,” Donovan told the Regional News.