District 203 Schools Caught "Misspending"

As parents and taxpayers flooded the packed 203 School Board meeting last night (part of Bolingbrook is in District 203), the buzz surfaced around the same question ... "why are they re-districting the schools?"  The School Board sent out notices about the re-districting and it caused a fury.  Residents did not want the Administration to send their kids to different schools including ones miles farther away than they were in now and forcibly separate even siblings into different schools.  The turn of events that unfolded was simply appalling!  It was discovered that the re-districting was being done to accommodate all day kindergarten, ADK!  It was not because of the overcrowding problems... Nor to save on the budget... And it's something the residents did not want!

Residents were allowed to speak (about 90% against) at the end.  The meeting went until after midnight.  Literally dozens of residents rose up to speak against this profligate boondoggle.  It was an impressive turnout.

It was announced that the re-districting was caused by the Administration wanting to add ADK.  They decided to add it because many of the teachers of Kindergarten like the idea when asked--it would give the teachers more paid hours and they felt it could help the kids get into college better (REALLY?).

Residents attacked.  Where is the proof that ADK helps kids get into college?  Where is the research?  What will this cost the taxpayers...  the questions went on and on.

Jen, one of the speakers for the school administration did state the RESEARCH actually shows that kindergarten ALL DAY has NO LONG TERM benefit. 
 
David Zager, the CFO told parents and taxpayer prior to the Board meeting that ADK construction costs would be about $2.5 Mil.  Then a bait and switch happened, and he then increased the construction costs for ADK to be $4.5 Mil when he reported to the 203 School Board.

One resident drew applause at his three points:
1.  Since the Administration themselves says there is no benefit to ADK, why spend the money and disrupt and separate our children and families?
2.  That initially the 2.5 Mil for ADK construction was provided to parents at 5 different info. sessions prior to the Board Meeting and now it suddenly went up to 4.5 Mil--how can residents trust the administration when they use "Bait and Switch" in their figures.
3.  With the upgraded kindergarten program, Administrators announced they would now be able to teach the children how to count from 1-20 and learn the alphabet.  The resident exclaimed that if that is NOT what they are learning now, that the curriculum needs to be fixed, not send his 5 year old to school for 2.5 more hours per day.  

Furthermore, distress ran through the crowd as those in the crowd saw the financials presented and the bottom line.  The district will be out of money in a couple of years, and teachers and activities will be cut or taxes will increase again. 

Other school districts, such as District 204, have instituted all day kinderdaycare and as result of this expense are now broke and slashing programs and firing teachers.  So 203 Administrators are determined to follow 204's failures.  Are their any adults in the the Administration who understand budgets and can balance one?  An astute 203 Board member stated last night "I'd like a pony too but does that mean I should get one?"  203 Administrators are you listening or are you forever stuck in the 'burn cash now and crash school programs and fire teachers later mode?!'

So we still do not need to spend the ADK $4.5 Mil in capital expenditures plus $2+ Mil a year ongoing in increased salaries and maintenance.   The Administration has not proven to us that this is needed.  Residents are voters, and they now see how idiotic some of these Administrators (and a couple of the Board members) are.  They need to take a class to understand balancing budgets and needs. 

The tax payers are not here to pay for wants of Kindergarten teachers.  If they want it this bad, let those that are requesting it take a pay cut of $4.5 Mil immediately and then $2+ Mil a year ongoing to make it happen.  Try going a step further, fund raise for it.  If there are enough residents in support of it, they should have no problem fundraising the money to do it.  Somehow, judging from the large turnout, it might be a difficult task to find support or to convince the residents of the need for all day daycare for 203.