Education Matters US

Grayslake Elementary District 46’s decision to reject a planned tax rebate of $6.9 million gets a thumbs-down from candidates in the April 17 election.

If elected, the candidates say they would push for the school board to restudy the issue or provide a thorough explanation to the community on what happened.

“I believe this will be a nightmare when we have to ask for money again,” she said.

Garcia, 44, a teacher and vice president of her Northbrook school’s Illinois Education Association union local, said she’d push for District 46 to fully explain to taxpayers what happened in January.

“It’s always difficult when you hear that the board has switched positions or changed its mind. I didn’t understand how that can be done,” she said.

Shams-Ahmed, 34, a substitute teacher, said the about-face shows communication with the public must be improved. She added boards should not switch positions easily.

“My concern is that right being abused,” she said.

Linder, 64, a retired corporate executive, said the decision might lead to a loss of residents’ confidence in school system. He said he’d work to prevent that from happening.

“It concerns me when I see the kind of decision that was made on those bonds. …. And I think we better do something to create some trust with the community on this issue and I think it better be done pretty darn fast by the new board,” he said.

Bernau, 33, an assistant chief at the Lake Villa Fire Protection District, said he would consider pushing for a long-term tax abatement.

“My opinion,” he said, “is it (the money) can’t be given back soon enough.”