Who is Paying for "Emergency Referendum"?
October 7, 2005 by admin
Filed under Winthrop Harbor
The so called “Emergency” Referendum for Winthrop Harbor District 1 is estimated to cost over $5600. I was informed in a comment earlier that a group called “Citizens for Quality Schools” would be paying for this instead of the district. I took the liberty of going to the Lake County Clerk’s office to check the filings for this group. According to the filings the group has only $2224.49 as of 9/15/2005 available. That is not even half of the referendum cost. Who is picking up the rest of the tab?
To make matters worse for this group, they have only raised $162.96 from anonymous donations and bank interest between 7/1/05 and 9/15/05. The other $2134.03 was left over from the last election cycle as reported on 6/30/05.
You won’t believe where most of the money came from. The teachers unions gave $2100. Two WHSD1 Employees donated $100 and the PTA donated the most giving a total of $3114.92. That’s right, the PTA donated the most money to help pass the referendum. How can they justify giving money that parents and others have helped raise through fundraisers? This is a misuse of funds that was given to the PTA to help support the students. You parents need to tell the PTA to stop this practice. It is a disgrace for them to use your money this way. I would venture to guess that most of you had no idea this was being done.
I will scan in the documents tonight if anyone wishes to see them.
UPDATES: I have scanned in the documentation from the Lake County Clerk’s Office. Click the links below to see a pdf of each document.
- Esitmated Cost Breakdown for Referendum
- Citizens for Quality Schools 6/30/05 Report
- Citizens for Quality Schools 6/30/05 Donations page 1
- Citizens for Quality Schools 6/30/05 Donations page 2 (Shows PTA Contributions)
- Citizens for Quality Schools 6/30/05 Donations page 3
- Citizens for Quality Schools 9/11/05 Report
- Citizens for Quality Schools 9/11/05 Donations
- Citizens for Quality Schools 9/11/05 Expenditures
Where did you ever detail the $5600?
It’s your opinion that it is a disgrace for the PTA to use money in this way. Have you asked all of the parents that gave the money if they were not ok with it being used like this? You’ve made an assumption here.
At the forum on Tuesday, in response to a suggestion that Yes supporters donate money to the district if the referendum fails, district officials said the district could not accept donations from individuals (actually school districts can accept donations through education foundations, as many districts have long had in place). Later in the afternoon, they said the cost of the election would be covered by donations from individuals. I guess the individuals will send their checks directly to the elections officials, and they won’t go through the school district.
Also, I thought the judge authorized the referendum based on the district having to cut state mandated PE. On Tuesday, district officials indicated the proceeds would be used to restore all programs (the Projected Debt timetable in their presentation also indicates “Restoration of all programs and fee reductions”) and to pay down debt. And now it looks like some of the proceeds will also be used to pursue legal action against the No supporters. I know, I know, it’s for the kids.
“Joe”,
Follow the link to know where the figure came from.
Also… are you a Winthrop Harbor resident? If you are not, then you are making an assumption too. But I would bet on Lennie’s assumption more than yours… only because Parents can choose to vote for a referendum or not. But they didn’t get to vote on whether their PTA money should be spent ON the referendum. In my opinion, the PTA way over stepped their bounds by assuming that this was ok with the parents that probably thought the money was for things like Birthday Books or Teacher Appreciation.
It sounds like the PTA may have to be accountable now too. It’s a shame in my opinion… because I believe that PTA’s/PTO’s usually do a great service. Now they will have to earn the parent’s trust. That’s not a good place to be for any PTA/PTO.
“Lisa”,
I did follow the link. You shouldn’t assume otherwise without knowing. “The County could not provide exact figures” does not specifically detail what $5600 will be/would be spent on. Could just as well have been $1,005,600 with nothing substantiating it.
What does where I live have to do with anything? I am not providing information to Winthrop Harbor residents. I am only asking clarifying questions on Lennie’s blog, which is a general, education site available to anyone on the internet.
I, too, agree that it isn’t something that a clearly thinking PTA would do and open themselves up to risk. But as long as barbs are being thrown, who’s to say that anyone supports or doesn’t support this outside of the context of actually writing a check to a referendum committee (pro or against)?
In response to recent findings from this website, The Winthrop Harbor PTA/PTO would like to respond.
The Winthrop Harbor School District hosted a series of fundraisers referred to as “Friday Night Fun Fests”
I would like to thank you for your response. I do strive to make sure the information I present is factual. I do not however, have control over what commenters say. In that regard, I have a few questions I would like clarification on.
What group ran the Friday Fun Fests? It sounds like the District did from your response so I wanted to get accurate information.
I have also heard a couple of other things I would like to have clarified. Did Dr. Tenbusch pressure the PTA in any way to help with this? I see you stated “strongly encouraged” in your response.
Secondly, did the PTA disband and a new PTO group get formed after this incident?
The PTA’s decision to convert to a PTO was for a number of reasons, none of which included the referendum, superintendent, or the school board.
The Winthrop Harbor School District hosted the Friday Fun Fests, which were held at the schools. These
events were not run by the PTA/PTO. For additional information, we suggest you contact the school (s).
Pressure is a strong word, members of the board were encouraged prior to a meeting to assist in this matter. It is customary for the PTA/PTO to vote on important issues, such as this. Therefore, it was presented for vote, as customary, and the vote passed.
We hope this clarifies any still outstanding questions.
Winthrop Harbor PTA/PTO Board & Chairpersons