Wilmette Parent: Will Choose to Move Elsewhere for Children's Education

Dear Wilmette Residents:

In July 2009, my family and I moved to Wilmette from Bethesda, Maryland
(Northwest side of Washington D.C.).

We decided to rent a house in Wilmette to get to know the area. We were
drawn to Wilmette for several reasons.

Wilmette is filled with great schools, wonderful families, and beautiful
homes. I was skeptical about how District 39 would compare to the schools
of Bethesda that rank nationally very high and the education my two
children would receive. My skepticism has been erased. Without a doubt, I
believe that the schools in Wilmette are also some of the best in the nation!

The referendum asks to increase school funding to maintain the current
programs provided to students. These tax dollars will stay local, here in
Wilmette, for the benefit of our students and our community. The five other
New Trier sender districts have all voted to raise their taxes at least once
since then, some twice. D39 has not asked for an increase since 1998.

Our lease ends this summer and we are currently looking to purchase a
house. The message that I would like to share with all Wilmette residents is
that if this referendum does not pass, I, as well as many other potential home
buyers, will be forced to choose to move elsewhere to receive excellent
education for our children. I can only imagine that loss of interest in
Wilmette will only hurt the property values and local businesses.

Please vote YES on April 5.

Candice Camden Hsu