Comments on: Candlelight demo turns up the heat

By: John Poshepny

John Poshepny — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:03:15 +0000

Chad,
A Reserve fund is money that set aside for emergencies e.g. Budget Shortfalls etc. Personally I would dip into that fund UNDER the Stipulation that it would be paid back to the fund.

By: Mark Thoman

Mark Thoman — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:05:26 +0000

When they got the court ruling, and then still declined to move forward on the bond issue with the exact same threat of lawsuit as originally caused the legal action in the first place…something’s not right about that.

By: Chad D. Walz

Chad D. Walz — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:14:03 +0000

No I didn’t make the meeting. My first obligation is to my family, then my hobbies. At least I get the 411 unlike many people who just comment here. I go to plenty of meetings, no one can take me to task over that. I even watch the VC meetings on the web.

What is the reserve fund for? I am asking. I am not a math guy. Tell me why its needed? Why would a school district go bankrupt? Lawsuit? I agree Pete if a roof isn’t a good enough reason to dip into the reserve what is? Tell me oh wise ones? Thanks.

By: Pete Craven

Pete Craven — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:38:02 +0000

If the leaky roofs are not considered catastrophic enough to merit the use of reserve funds, let’s have a reasonable referendum as Todd Krause has suggested. Give the Board a break and let the voters decide.

By: Elaine Johnson

Elaine Johnson — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:10:13 +0000

Of further concern to Illinois school districts: Will the state make good on its share of expenses? As we all know, that’s a big “if ” going forward.

By: Debbie Drews even

Debbie Drews even — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:23:06 +0000

Chad, I take it you didn’t go to the meeting? That working cash fund used to be called a fund balance.. the way it was always explained to me (by someone who had worked in 2 school districts that had gone bankrupt from lack of fiscal responsibility and financial health) the fund balance is extremely important to the financial and fiscal health of a school district. What if it is all spent and then what? What if something catastrophic were to happen in the school district and the kids needed this money? where would it come from? This “reserve” “working cash fund” “fund balance” or whatever you want to call it, is vital and essential to our school district and any FINANCIALLY responsible school district has one – the fund is not a secret -it has been public and fairly common knowledge for some time – I know, I am not a school board member, but I have been very active in our school district in many ways for 12 years and counting

By: Henry Gage

Henry Gage — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:59:24 +0000

Board needs to explain why these roofs are only lasting 15 years. Did they cover them with gravel as is standard to reduce sun damage ? Or just plain rubber ??

By: Chad D. Walz

Chad D. Walz — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:58:00 +0000

Just a follow up on my previous post.

I just read today’s Reporter Newspaper and Mr. O’Connell states there is $7.8 million in the working cash fund that could be used to pay for the roof repairs. Is there a board member who would like to come on DGreport and answer to the tax payers why this is not being discussed and why you need an additional $10 million bond? I would also caution all D58 parents that if this is true we need to take a step back and re-evaluate the bond. The roofs are not going to be replaced until summer anyway, why rush it. I think this board is just hell bent against anything Mr. O’Connell brings up. In my humble opinion this is very short sighted and not very responsible. If I am off base feel free to visit us here on the blog D58 board. Thanks.

Chad D. Walz
Kingsley Parent
Tax payer

By: Not Sure

Not Sure — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:53:45 +0000

Chad-

I hate the secrecy with the taxpayers money. This was a platform that O’Connell ran on.

However, he refuses to make public why he opposes the bond. Why?

Furthermore, how much is his legal fees costing us. Don’t forget, because of O’Connell’s objections, Davis had to oppose the bonds under the advice of the district’s lawyer. The school district had to then sue Liz Davis. They have to pay for the district’s lawyer. They also have to pay for Davis’ lawyer as well. (They are paying two lawyers against each other!) This is not cheap I imagine.

By: Chad D. Walz

Chad D. Walz — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:31:57 +0000

In my opine…

If the school board had done its due diligence in the first place we would not be in the situation. Let me explain why I say this.

First off, how come nobody knew how many leaky roofs we had in the district until O’Connell blocked the bond issuance?

Second, why didn’t the board hire an inspector? The board needed to make very public any pictures of the leaks. A detailed inspectors assessment would have gone a long way in drumming up public support for the projects.

Lastly, where was the communication from the board and the school district to its tax payers regarding the poor condition of some of its roofs and that a major expenditure was needed to rectify the situation?

Just some questions to ponder while we all blame O’Connell. There is plenty of blame to go around here but O’Connell is the easy target.

I would also ask Mr. O’Connell that if he has proof that the district has the working cash to fund the roof replacements with out a bond, that he go on record with a local new paper or blog to make his case.