Pay Higher Taxes…Or Face the Gangs!
That’s what flyers being passed out in Norridge, IL are telling voters.
Remember the post that I wrote a couple of weeks ago about the anti-transparency shenanigans in Norridge and Ridgewood High School District 234? Well, now the supporters of a tax increase-which failed in February-are scaring people into voting for it by saying that they face home foreclosures, bad schools and even gangs without it.
And then there’s this warning:
Unconcerned renters will move in, destroying the stability of Norridge and Harwood Heights, home property values and other local schools and churches.
Wow. Sounds ominous. Class warfare, anyone?
FICTION: Higher taxes make for better schools and neighborhoods.
FACT: Higher taxes make it difficult for people to afford homes, cars, basic necessities, and school supplies. More money does not make better schools or more successful students. Higher taxes make it so the people can spend less money on their homes, children and saving for retirement.
UPDATE: I forgot to mention that two of the “Concerned Community Homeowners” who are listed on the flyer are officials with the Norwood Park Township. They are Rocco Secco (Clerk) and Larry Rogawski (Highway Commissioner). They’ll be running for office again in April.
As a Norridge resident I’m appalled by the actions of the school board and the people who are distributing this flyer. These people should be ashamed of themselves.
As a Norridge resident, homeowner and parent I’m shocked at some people trying to belittle the people passing out flyers. They are concerned about our community, schools and most important about our future, the children. The only person who should be ashamed is the person stopping traffic, with their blinkers on (which is illegal) trying to get No votes for the school. Come on how childish, someone has nothing better to do.
Betsy, the problem isn’t civic engagement-that part’s great. The issue is using outrageous scare tactics to call for a tax increase for a school system that chooses to deny citizens access to records on how it spends the money it has currently. That and the fact that evidence shows that higher spending on schools does not correlate to better-performing places of learning.
betsy, because of information obtained under the freedom of information act more people now know that the $40 million bond passed in 2006 will cost the community $70 million with interest over the next 20 years, now add the $2 million they are seeking for operational expenses for 20 years and the total reaches $110 million and don’t forget to add the cost of living increase on that additional $2 million per the tax cap laws and our tab could reach $115 million over 20 years, did anyone tell you that, betsy? don’t forget LUPO”S comment of 1-24-08 when he states, “I think this will work for 10 years” there is no doubt in my mind that LUPO will be asking for more money in less than 10 years and if the community gives it to him, our liability over the nest 20 years might reach $150 million, so i will continue bring the community information because “i have nothing better to do”
Well done Riccardo. I too am a resident of Norridge and this referendum is absolutely ridiculous. The propoganda that has filled my mailbox this week is almost laughable. My husband asked me if the gangs were gonna get him because he’s voting no.
People can barely make their mortgages as it is, especially senior citizens. Yet, we want to increase their property taxes? Go down any street in Norridge and you will see almost 1 out of 5 houses for sale. This is not because we don’t have good schools, it’s because it’s expensive to live in Norridge as it is.
I am behind you Riccardo and will vote NO. Just like the big banner in my living room window says. I just wish the opposition was a little more organized. Gee, maybe we can do some scary mailings too?
It is pretty childish as you would say for these “concerned community homeowners” to use scare tactics in order to get votes. Caring residents that we have is what makes a great community and keeps the punks (except for the punks that already live here) out, not the schools. Its pretty sad when you know neighbors that send their kids to different schools other than Ridgewood, not because it is over crowded or unsafe to go to, but because they don’t believe in the school. 800+ students, 50 teachers = 16-17 students per teacher for a school they is designed to hold up to 1100 students and they complain about needing larger classrooms. Better schools doesn’t prevent home foreclosure, higher taxes does (and stupid mortgage decisions) but thats another story, causes foreclosure. Ridgewood states that 30% of students credits had to be cut. What classes were cut? Polish, Italian language classes. Boo Whoo! Kids around here can’t use English correctly. Less b.s. classes they have, gives them more time to concentrate on the impotant ones.Unconcerned renters moving in? Can it be that these families like the nice, safe friendly community that Ridgewood is known for, but can’t afford to own a home here because of the high taxes…
WAKE UP PEOPLE!
We have a Great tight knit community.
WE have good schools, safe streets, a friendly community and Ridgewood had nothing to do with it. We the proud residents of Norridge did it. VOTE NO and lets keep Norridge alive.
Carolyn most seniors taxes have actually gone down and with the exemptions like freeze, exemption and long time homeowners exemption their taxes will not be affected very much at all. If you look at communities around Norridge you will see real distinctions like Park Ridge where taxes are very much higher than us. People are paying top dollar for homes still. Carolyn would you buy a house in an area that did not offer good schools that had multiple failed referendums. Think not. Giles school was graffitted pretty bad in august on the upper levels that no one heard of I have pictures, and the mall is turning into a place where local residents do not want to go. Talk about scare tacics Mr. Mora distorts facts and includes factors into teachers salaries like advanced schooling and extra clubs and sports where they spend lots of extra time at Ridgewood away from their families. If we are supposed to be open ask Mr. Mora why he still holds a grudge againist Ridgewood because he was expelled for doing some really horrible things. Be Open! Talk about scary.
thanks carolyn, we must demand better from our board of education and administration, they have been failing our children and our community for at least the past 10 years, but unless the community gets organized, they will continue to fail our children and community, we must take the “politics” out of our school, me must take the “who knows who” out of our school if ridgewood is to ever regain the reputation it once held, money is not always the answer, my e-mail address is on all of my literature being circulated, i am surprised that you don’t already have it, my final newsletter will be ready next week, mostly the same stuff already out there, but there are a few surprises, make sure you get a copy
petedell
What does throwing money into a school that doesn’t know or willing to say what it needs for. Graffiti at Giles kept out of public view? Figures!!! Lets not inform the residents so we can keep an eye out and help the police catch the punks. of course not. It’s not gangs that did it, it was probably a kid whose parents support your ridiculous referendum.
As far as the mall, you can not blame that on no referendum, start cracking down on the snot nose punks instead of giving them a slap on the wrist.
People are so quick to point the finger at everything and everyone for the way their kids act. “There’s nothing for poor Johnny to do.”
” Johnny’s just expressing himself”, “Teachers are just picking on him.” B.S.!!!! Johnny is just one of many spoiled brats that run the streets, because their parents think its easier to let Johnny do what ever he wants, instead of cracking him in azz when he misbehaves in school, the mall or in public. Don’t get me wrong I know many nice kids in the neighborhood, but it only takes one to spoil the pack.
If the the fine residence of Norridge want to keep a good, safe community then don’t let the kids run it.
NO VOTE!
Riccardo,
Where can it find your news letters.
I look forward to receiving it Riccardo. Pete, I am not a senior, so i don’t enjoy the same tax freezes. I’ve lived in Norridge for 10 years as a married person. I grew up here as well. To be honest with you Pete, schools had no bearing on where we bought our house. I have no children, don’t plan to and we bought in Norridge because of the location and I come from this community. My parents chose to send me to private school instead of Ridgewood.
I completely have an open mind. However, since this is the 3rd? 4th time this referendum has come about and has been voted down, I think that the flyers and propoganda that I am drowning in lately is very counterproductive. As for moving here because a referendum was not passed is kinda funny.
Because there was some grafitti at Giles, now we have a gang problem? My neighbor’s garage was grafitti’d not that long ago and guess who was the culprit? A Giles student. Who lives in Norridge and OWNS a house in Norridge.
The HIP is not a desirable place to go? It couldn’t POSSIBLY be the fact that parents are not watching their kids and not holding them accountible for their actions? WHY do local residents not want to visit the mall? Can you honestly say it’s because of the lack of funding for Ridgewood? Give me a break, most of the problems are the local children who have no respect for adults, themselves or their community and people who don’t live in Norridge. Passing this referendum is not going to change the people who go to the mall or it’s reputation.
As for “Unconcerned Renters” bringing our community down, I find that very offensive. Remember…renters vote too. Since it’s very costly to live in Norridge as a homeowner (which I am by the way) why is it wrong to rent?
Carolyn this is not about renters or the mall what it is about is our community as you someone who was raised here knows people take pride in their homes and their appearence, grass, epoxy painted stairs people who own those homes and have roots here will care more for their homes than unconcerned renters, Some rent simply because they can not yet afford a down payment. Home owners who rent usually do so because they cannot sell the home and in order to keep up with mortgages they rent the home to anyone who is willing to pay for it. How this affects our kids gangs are probably here and at least very close if we do not offer programs to our kids like the clubs and activities that have been cut the good kids that remain will/can fall into the wrong crowds with nothing to do. its not just about educational oppurtunities yes a major part but the things that keep kids doing something productive anything Chess club, Volleyball whatever. In order to offer those things, you need basic things a place to do it, equipment, and someone to watch the kids that takes money. Carolyn you seem like a reasonable person, if you had kids where would you plunk down 3 or 4 hundred thousand dollars in an area that offered your kids a comprehensive education and up bringing correct? Is that the right way to deliver the message I do not know but I can see the frustration in the backers of the referendum, they have made cuts the community has asked of them, they have been up front with information and selling points of eduction, what else can they do. I too grew up here and enjoyed the freedoms Norridge gave me as a youth and the sense of security it provided but the world has changed it not the same for my kids now, they are not competeing with kids from the area anymore they are competeing in a global economy and jobs are going all over the world and if getting more teachers and teaching differnt things at a higher level is the what it takes then that what has to be done, Do i like paying higher taxes NO but its what is best for us at this time. I have freinds who live in Hinsdale and park ridge and Kane, dupage counties our taxes even with the increase will be much lower. As far as the mall if we do not provide activites and high levels of education for our kids and to spend time they go hang out then more of our kids will be disrespectful not less that is the point. Directly lack of funding for Ridgewood affects the kids there now. Indirectly it affects future classes and our community being less disirable to home buyers simple concept more supply of homes drives the price down end result your investment goes down.
my latest literature will be out beginning on thursday, my mailing includes only 1000 homes, it gets to be expensive, stamps, copying costs, freedom of information act requests and the signs for my van
as i reassure voters in my literature, the reduction in graduation credits from 30 to 21 does not affect any child’s opportunity to earn a quality education at ridgewood for their choice of use, most colleges require 15 credits, 4 english, 3 math, 3 science, 3 social studies and 2 language all of which is still available at ridgewood, only some of the most selective colleges will require an additional year of math and that is still available, for over 35 years ridgewood required 16 and the reason it was increased to 30 was so they could provide more jobs for more teachers, more teachers makes the union stronger, you can e-mail me at NoTaxIncreaseRHS@comcast.net
Let’s talk about the lovely, well mannered children that come out of Ridgewood shall we?
We have VOTE NO signs up in our yard. On Friday as we gave out candy to the trick or treaters…2 cars pulled up and took down our address. When i asked them if i could help them with something…they drove off. these were adults, i have no choice but to assume these were “Concerned Homeowners”.
Later that night, our house got egged and creamed. Not just a little, but TONS of eggs, shaving cream all over the NO on the signs.
Sure, I want to give the kids of Ridgewood more money. NOT. They will learn that the scare tactics their parents choose to employ are not going to work on this homeowner.
By the way, I got 2 more stupid pieces of mail from them. UGH!
sorry to hear about the eggs, another opponent to this tax increase also suffered the same fate, i had to file two police reports in the february election, one for battery and the other for mischief, i don’t believe it is the kids who are at fault but the parents who promote this activity, just recently i had the pleasure of speaking with two ridgewood students who couldn’t understand why i opposed this tax increase, after a 25 minute conversation, they learned from me and i learned from them, those 2 students see this issue in a whole new light, i even drove past one of them the other day and he waved,but on the other side while sitting at canfield and montrose in my van one kid was hanging out the window yelling and screaming at me, while his mother was driving, i would love to speak with any students and exchange information with them, maybe then they would understand more fully
I’m a past graduate from RHS and I am planning to Vote NO! I’m truly disgusted with RHS at this time. I am a well respected community member of Norridge and Harwood Heights. I’m wondering why these people who support the tax have not investigated the expenditures!! I may have not been the top student in my class but I will tell you when I went to RHS any activities we wanted to participate in which included band or chorus was done after or before school we also had a one flat fee for books. I don’t understand why they only charge $100.00 per student for registration….the fee should be raised in my opinion. If RHS wants money….get it from the registration fee and apply for grants!
I am thankful for the information that was provided from Mr. Mora and I see no hidden agenda from him what so ever. Lupo was one of my teachers back when I went to RHS I certainly do not respect him what so ever. I didn’t respect him when I went to RHS either. This school just makes me sick to my stomach knowing what they’re doing to these families.
And I’m so sorry to hear what happen to Carolyn how sad is this world of politics coming to???
Christina
First of all, how are you assuming these were Ridgewood kids. I have no sign on my lawn and my house was egged, should I assume they were St. Pat kids !!! It could of been anyone. Didn’t we all do something a little stupid in our Jr. high-highschool days. Riccardo, we all know you did! Caroyln, I to got 3 pieces of literature of ours, but I’m confussed, which one do I believe. Theres one that says taxes will be raised 1200 one that says 1500 and the newest that says 1800. People that I have talked to are finally realizing how crazy these numbers sound.
Talk about scare tactics flyers saying this will cost 1200, 1500 1800 dollars are out, salaries of teachers who are not even employed at RHS are out, are you kidding me. Riccardo how much money have the boys given you so far to be the puppet for them?
i don’t agree with those numbers and i had nothing to do with that, i put my name and e-mail address on everything i circulate, everything i circulate is “FACTUALLY CORRECT” unless i state my opinion and challenge anyone to point out any mistake, you may not like the way it is presented and you are free to present facts anyway you like, looking at the report card just issued on oct 31, you will see that ridgewood received a $1.5 million cost of living increase per tax cap laws in 2007-2008, along with the $1.2 million they got in 2006-2007 they are now receiving 26.43 % more than just two years ago, ridgewood is now on academic early warning status for failing to make adequate yearly progress for the second year in a row, ridgewood’s solution, build a $17.5 million gym, re build the athletic fields, artificial turf for the football field and board member hinman wants a swimming pool, ACT composite score at ridgewood 19.6 while the State average is 20.5 and has risen over the last 10 years while ridgewood’s ACT composite score has declined the past 10 years, ridgewood’s limited english students 6 %, the state average is 7.5 %
low income students at ridgewood is 7.5 %, the state average 41.1 %, we now rank 16th in spending out of 27 high school districts in cook county, last year we ranked 25th, even though we are now ranked higher our scores still are dismal, the facts are the facts and that is all i present to the community for their consideration, i don’t believe in scare tactics, the residents of our communities are intelligent and deserve all the facts, not just the scare tactics that are being presented
betsy, i never accused ridgewood students of egging anyone’s home, but i did compliment them on the conversation i had with them, they were very respectful of me and my opinion and i hope that these two students i spoke with are representative of all the students there at ridgewood, if they are, we as a community can be proud, you must be a democrat, just as the democrats did with the joe the plumber you try to do to me because i present facts that do not support your cause, when your scare tactics fail, go after the messenger, but the problem is, that i print facts supported by source and that is impossible to dispute, just the the other day i spoke with a ridgewood teacher and after explaining the facts, he stood there in disbelief as did another supporter i just spoke with just last night, many people don’t know all the facts because supporters and ridgewood do not want anyone to know all the facts, but those facts are out there now, tomorrow is finally here and i can’t wait for it to be over, i just hope everyone can be satisfied with whatever the outcome and be respectful of one another again for we are all neighbors
Good schools attract people to neighborhoods or a community. When the demand for homes is high, property values rise. In order to have good schools they must be funded properly. When your high school district is in the bottom half of spending per pupil, it is not well funded. Mr. Mora and others, I do applaud you for speaking up. Regarding the law & your campaign against the referendum, from the amount of mailings and calendars sent, you may have exceeded the amount a “private” citizen can spend without registering with the State of Illinois. I assume you are recognized by the State as a PAC. A D-4 Campaign Complaint will be filled if not. Again, your opposition to a tax increase is not unexpected and actually is appreciated for your furvor. I hope your voice is heard against other local tax increases and not just Ridgewood HS.
Hi Betsy. You’re right, we did do stupid things but i will say i was never destructive. One look from my mother and it was GAME OVER. She didn’t mess around either, if somebody said I did something she punished and asked questions later.
I live in Norridge Betsy, i had TWO cars stop and take down my address that Friday. When I asked them what they wanted…if I could help them with something, they took off. These were adults. The fact that the signs were vandalized, and specifically the NO on the signs only point to one place.
I would welcome opposition mail, but unfortunately, i’m only receiving the pro-stuff. The statistics that are referred to can easily be verified. Ricardo was very careful to footnote his sources and it’s right there for all to see if they choose to go find it.
As a footnote to my post above, by destructive, i mean they broke out our porch light, egg was everywhere. we stayed up friday night to clean it up and they hit us again after we were done. THEN while my husband was power washing everything down, they had the gall to throw another egg while he was on the ladder.
I’ll also be glad when this is over. I hope it doesn’t pass, just like it didn’t the last times it’s come up for vote. However, if it doesn’t pass, I have a feeling that it will just become a regular issue every election year. So sad.
Thank goodness! It’s over, it was voted down and I’m a happy camper. However, there are already rumblings about putting it on the spring election ballot. Geesh.
Yes Carolyn, It was voted down. I myself think it should be on the Spring ballot. In the mean time I will be supporting all the community schools, parks ect. I am involved in pta’s, go to school board events and other school activities. I am also a voluteer for alot of the NYA and park activities. We hope to see you and your friends come out and run for school events etc… since you are so involved in this community. Good Luck with everything!
Carolyn, your husband is very brave, the porch light was broke, it was dark outside and yet he still went up on a ladder to clean the eggs. Those meanies came back and hit him again, it’s a good thing he didn’t fall.
Thank you so much Betsy, I appreciate your invitation.
My husband and I actually volunteered for years for Ridgewood, I involve myself in RHS Foundation activities, my business is a regular donor to the Toys for Tots, Shop with a Cop, the annual church and park festivals; I was even a team mom one year for an NYA baseball team - again…without a child in any of the schools, not by choice but because we have no children. So yes, i would say I’m an involved Norridge citizen.
I do understand your position, I truly do. I just think that for the Spring ballot, RHS may want to be more forthcoming with what the money will actually be spent on. Last night, I had a long conversation with somebody from the supporters group whom I respect and think very highly of. He explained what the monies were intended for and it made sense. Unfortunately, it was too late. All we had to go by for information were the documented sources from Ricardo, rumor, blank stares from others that we asked and ridiculous flyers.
Good luck to you as well and I look forward to the Spring.
with over a 60% voter turnout, the voters have clearly said no to this referendum for the 4th time in less than 2 years and hopefully everyone will respect the democratic process and abide by the will of the people, to put this back on the ballot would be a slap in the face to the community who voted no, i presented facts, cited the sources and the voters voted, enough is enough, i offer the following sources to anyone interested http://iirc.niu.edu/
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/
http://labs.suntimes.com/reportcards/
http://www.championnews.net/salaries.php
http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ/state/#IL
i realize that supporters of this tax increase will be afraid to gather information from these sources because the truth is always hard to digest
we are all neighbors and we should all be respectful of each other
Thanks Betsy,
I to think that information was not presented the right way and that everyone has a right to know where the money will go, Just because I knew where it was going or someone else might have know where its going, doesnt mean everyone knows where it was going. I truley hope in Spring, if it were to be back on the ballot, that everyone would be willing to talk to eachother and work together to see whats best. I want there to be no hard feelings because this is our community and we are all doing the best we can.
take care
the residents were not scared into voting for this tax increase and have sent a clear and resounding message, 56.11% opposed and only 43.89% in favor to ridgewood and the board of education, “live within your means” everyone should now know that Ridgewood DOES get a tax increase every year as a cost of living tax increase per the tax cap laws, in 2006-2007 they received $1,224,720.00 increase and in 2007-2008 ridgewood received a $1,563,136.00 increase which now represents a 26.43% increase in just two years, you didn’t hear this from them, you only heard the fear mongering, when facts don’t support an issue, try and scare them and when fear is not working, do a “joe the plumber” on the messengers
Submitted to the Board tonight for the record are pages 6 and 10 from a document titled, Frequently Asked Questions about District 234’s Proposal Bond Fund and Limiting Rate Referenda, dated 8-28-06.
Page 6 Question: How will the money be generated to build, equip, and to staff the new facilities?
Answer: Building, equipping, and staffing the new facilities will require the passage of two, companion ballot questions.
Page 10 Question: What if the referenda do not pass?
Answer: If the referenda were to fail, the facility plan would not be implemented.
Page 10 Question: What if only one of the two propositions passes?
Answer: “The plan will not be implemented unless both questions pass”
About 10 weeks later on 11-02-06 only five days before the election, Lupo is quoted in the newspaper saying, “Voters must approve both referendums for the renovation and expansion plans to be put into action” Nine days after the election on 11-16-06 and the defeat of the referenda question to increase the tax rate, Lupo is quoted as saying, “But voters had to approve both referendum for the district’s renovation and expansion plans to go forward.”
The community took you at your word, but you went ahead with renovation and expansion plans anyway.
A few months ago here, I repeated a request made by another member of the community. “Bring concrete issues to the community”. While I presented facts to the community, the radical group calling themselves “concerned community homeowners” presents the community with a barrage of literature in their mailboxes, sometimes delivered by the USPS and other times just stuffed into mailboxes without stamps. That literature is attached for the record and your failure to condemn this fear mongering and class warfare that it represents, is your endorsement of said literature.
My motivation has nothing to do with what may or may not have happened over 40 years ago. I have always been proud to say I attended Ridgewood and moved my family here in 1991 sending my daughter to Leigh and Ridgewood. Residing here for about 25 years now, proud to call Norridge my home, shame on those who question my motivation and choose to do a “joe the plumber” on me.
Beginning on that day in early 2007 when I first received a green flyer, along with reading what was being said in our local newspaper and what Bob Lupo wrote in his blog, motivated me to investigate and gather information.
This year on February 5th in front of Leigh School, being called a liar by poll workers in front of voters on their way to vote was motivating. Voters who witnessed the screaming and name calling probably knew the names of those shouting at me, what impressions were left in their minds?
One in particular was an unknown woman to me at the time, she called me a liar and threatened to call someone to take care of me. I watched her make a phone call and someone arrived shortly thereafter to harass me. I learned her identity at the April 2008 board meeting, the first board meeting I had ever attended, while sitting here I recognized her as Maria Smith. Her actions that day are unbecoming a school board member.
Thanks to the threat by Tom Sticha that a complaint has been filed with the State Board of Elections against me, I am motivated to continue investigating, gathering information and sharing that information with the community. Thanks to the actions of Pat Rossi, Tom Sticha, JoJo Hadjuk, Larry Rogawski, Rocco Secco, Rosemary Wegner, Emily Macrito, Sarina Ruffolo and other unknown persons, there are now plenty of other motivated residents of our community ready to fight any tax increase that is presented.
A family pulled up to me at Leigh school and asked if it was my name on the “Vote No” literature, when I replied yes, they thanked me for bringing the facts out in the open. The driver said, “they sure hate you” and I just shrugged. Concerned about my safety, he warned me about a man at the library who was exhibiting hatred toward me and asked me to be careful. The man he described was Tom Sticha.
Days prior to the election while pulled over chatting with an opponent of this tax increase, Brian Costello pulled in front of my van and got out, while another car pulled up along side. It was then that a woman in her 70’s seeing what looked like might be trouble came out of her house in my defense and warned them not to start any fights with me because she would call the police.
Days before the election, a friend of mine sent me an e-mail expressing concern over my safety, he suggested that I not go south of Montrose on foot.
Months before the election JoJo Hadjuk informed me that I was now the most hated person in Norridge.
Don’t worry about the gangs coming to our communities, they are already here and call themselves, “concerned community homeowners”.
Why the hatred? I understand disagreeing, I understand people not liking me, but hatred? Perfect strangers so concerned about my safety, they come to me and warn me about Tom Sticha.
I do not come here to hear myself speak, I come here to offer suggestions in support of Ridgewood. I could be one of those that merely sit at home and complain about how things are but I have chosen to take a very public stance in an effort to be part of the solution to the problems that Ridgewood faces.
This is my home, this is my High School.
To put an end the divisiveness in our community and restore creditability to the board of education here, I offer the following suggestions.
1. Take this tax increase off the table at least until the November 2, 2010 election. Make a public statement in the newspaper and post it at our web site.
2. Immediately stop spending any more of that $40 million bond not already spent and pledge not to spend anymore of it.
3. Encourage people to get more involved by inviting everyone to run for the school board. Have a 3 minute workshop at the next board meeting on how to become a board member. Inform the newspaper and post it at our website.
4. Place all seven seats up for election in April, Romito and Massaro should resign effective the April election and not run for any vacant positions. We must restore credibility to the community by cutting the ties to the past that limits the forward progress of Ridgewood.
5. With over 20 years here at Ridgewood, including his high school years our current Superintendent has lost his credibility. He has had plenty of time to make this school better, we are not getting what we deserve and must begin the search for a new leader. Our Superintendent was also part of the Schau era, we must cut all the ties to that fiasco, if we are ever to move forward and make Ridgewood a better school.
6. Let’s have more transparency here by posting salaries of all employees and the check registry. Post all public notices at our web site, rather than only hidden in the back of the newspaper.
7. A prior suggestion was to create a open forum or blog at our site where people could post messages, make suggestions, ask questions and receive answers.
8. We must take the politics out of the school board, we need independent thinkers, we do not need people here because of who they know. I ask everyone considering running for the school board to run as an independent.
Quit being politicians and be our neighbors.
Mr. Mora I actually think you have good intentions but you are presenting things in only one way, yours. 1, ridgewood compared to suburban cook county schools in almost last in overall funding, teachers make on average at RHS less that a plumber or electrician, and in the lower third of cook county. We have 3 full time administrators the same as union ridge and giles/leigh. Compare those salaries to niles, leyden, and maine schools and you will see the vast difference, but that does not matter this is not about what the current teachers make it about offering more that just the minimum requirements to our kids. You total the salaries up and group in extracirricular activities that teachers do for example a teacher makes 50,000 to teach then they coach a couple of sports 3 or 4 grand extra they do and activity and lets say they get their masters. You add the 50 +4 +4 +3 + 2 for the masters and you say that teachers makes 63,000. but what you are not saying is that the teacher spends time away from his/her family coaching, running a club and by the way going to school to get better educated at night in order to be up to date on teaching our kids.
You talk about capital improvements building on tell that the kids that currently run up and down a hallway and stairs, and basketball players who have to practice until; 10 on school nights, how about the life saftey work to protect our kids saftey or removing asbestos or reinforcing steel beams or getting rid on 30 year old carpet in the hall for better indoor air quality or actually saving money on newer greener cooling system instead of the old cluncking window units in the window since we start school in mid august. why should we wait our kids deserve what kids in the suburbs have been getting for years. You talk about scare tactics and fear no one threatened you least of all TOM STICHA who is about 5’4 145 pounds you are literally twice his size no offense. The concerned homeowners were pointing out the fact that schools are the number one reason families look to move and a major factor on where they spend their money and where they buy.. If you had kids and looking to move wouldn’t you buy a house in a community that had schools that offered a comprehensive school experience of course you would. Your friends Tony and Eva were the ones spreading scary information about 1200 ,1500 hundred dollar increases and putting stuff in mailboxes unstamped, the Concerned homeowners stamped everything and have the receipts to prove it. As did you. This is about selfish people like you who do not have kids in the system and don’t want to pay for someone elses kid to have better then they had it, which I can understand but that is the way Illinios funds its schools that’s why the property value arguement. The board members get paid NOTHING they do it for the community and all you can do is bash them, we elected them. We had plenty of open forums the first 2 trys at the referendum we presented all sorts on info. We as a community have failed our kids by locking them in the bubble we pamper them through grade schools where everymakes the honor roll and 99% or the kids meet the standards for a state the has the 49th easiest state elementary school test. What a joke! It can’t be that we are one of the only areas in the state without a JR. High that would cost money we may have to have a bus pick kids up on one side of town and bring them to the other, we can’t do them we have never bused kids around norridge and harwood heights, why start now. And of course its all RHS fault it cant be that are kids are not prepared for High school where they are judged on national test the ACT yet our kids score average for the state but we are happy being average the minimum is fine no need to excel in anything. We got the mall thats all we need. You want to blame Schau/ past boards thats fine but lets not stop this and future boards and Dr. Lupo from taking the next step.
yes, i do prefer to present it my way, factually correct, with sources noted, look at the 2008 report cards and you will see that this list is correct and that ridgewood ransk 16th in spending per pupil
District 219 Skokie $18,568
District 225 Glenview $17,998
District 202 Evanston $17,908
District 200 Oak Park $17,876
District 203 Northfield $17,541
District 209 Maywood $17,434
District 227 Olympia Fields $15,234
District 212 Franklin Park $15,088
District 214 Arlington Hts $15,044
District 207 Park Ridge $14,939
District 210 Lemont $14,447
District 208 Riverside $14,358
District 204 LaGrange $14,246
District 211 Palatine $13,701
District 233 Flossmoor $13,517
District 234 Ridgewood $13,417
District 206 Chicago Hts $13,230
District 217 Summit $12,777
District 218 Oak Lawn $12,569
District 205 South Holland $12,364
District 228 Midlothian $12,241
District 231 Evergreen Park $12,030
District 230 Orland Park $11,660
District 215 Calumet City $11,290
District 220 Burbank $11,049
District 229 Oak Lawn $10,833
District 201 Cicero $10,720
O.K. let’s look at some of those schools for example evergreen park, same size school, community make up simular, Their tax rate is 3.54 per hundred dollars of eav.for a total revenue of 15,633. Same school size same community with a big mall. The percent RHS spends on Education is 80%. That is 10% higher then state average. By the way all those schools you mentioned were rated equal or less than RHS based on act and psae scores. Now I know you are going to come back to class warfare but HOW many of you Rick, Betsy, Carolyn would buy a home to raise your family in any of those areas, be truthful how many of you would plunk down 3 or 4 hundred grand to live Cicero. No offense to the hard working people in those areas but when you compare crime and curb appeal of a home which one of those areas really would you move to maybe Orland park, possibly oak lawn. So why then do we want to be or have the same level of educational funding as those schools. Numbers can be viewed and presented in many ways to be pro or con no rocket sceince but the fact remaines that to offer kids a comprehensive high school experience with qualified teachers, coaches, advisors, administrators we have to be willing to pay for it. And like I said previousy its not like everybody is going to get a huge pay raise its about finacial stability and the oppurtunity to offer programs and educational oppurtunities otherwise not atainable by current funding standards. Out of those schools mentioned RHS has almost the lowest EAV per 100 and also only 6.5 % of revenue comes from anything other than local sources. Compared to a state average of 37%. See I too can come up with numbers to support the referendum.
LOL, please feel free to presents the facts at the next board meeting on december 8th
i will be there and presenting the facts
but isn’t it strange that last year ridgewood was pointing to the fact that we ranked 25th out of 27 cook county schools in spending per pupil last year to support their claim that they needed more money, now that we rank 16th, last year’s argument is out the window and ridgewood must come up with something else, am looking forward to what ridgewood comes up with next on december 8th