Grayslake school district board votes against tax relief
- on 01.23.07
- CCSD #46
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The News-Sun did an article on Saturday about the Grayslake school board voting against tax relief. As you can see, there is much interest in this school board decision. The Daily Herald said Sunday the bonds should have been abated. I know there were emails and phone calls to board members last October as well. The community wanted their money back.
[Emphasis Mine]
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During a special meeting on Jan. 10, the school board voted not to rebate the taxes in excess of its debt limit, which is about $6.9 million over the $23.2 million referendum that funded the construction of Prairieview and Frederick schools in 1999. |
It is clear to everyone that the money the district has received exceeded both its debt limit and what the voters approved. Some try to justify keeping the money, but it is unethical and proves to the voters that the school district cannot be trusted to do the right thing with taxpayer money.
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“At this time the money will not be abated…That does not mean that it will not come up again,” said Superintendent Ellen Correll. “We have to use the money in four years. If we find that we don’t need it, we would have to abate or defease it. It’s not a done deal.” The bond money can only be used to buy land or to build additions or renovations to Prairieview or Frederick schools, said Correll. There are no immediate plans to use the money. The district is waiting to see if overcrowding at Frederick School will decrease after the building of the new K-8 school that will open in August. |
A plan was already being looked at to see if it was feasible to add onto Frederick for a Pre-K. I’m sure the district will come up with another plan to try and justify keeping the money unless the taxpayers take a stand and contact the board members. The district has recommended keeping this money in at least 2 board meetings I have attended.
The question is not whether there is a plan for the money. The question is whether it is ethical for the district to keep the money knowing that they have exceeded the approval of the voters. In October they said it was unethical. In January they are saying it is not. Moral relativism is not a good trait in school board members.
