Post by title1parent on Aug 11, 2009 6:00:15 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1710142,D58-Life-safety-work-continues_na081109.article
D58 Life safety work goes on despite controversy
August 11, 2009
By HANK BECKMAN For The Sun
As the fight over issuing Life Safety Bonds lingers on, Downers Grove Grade School District 58 begins the work replacing district roofs and other safety projects the bonds are ultimately supposed to pay for.
The Illinois State Board of Education sent the district a letter saying they "see no obstacles to the district's issuance of the Life Safety bonds," Superintendent Paul Zaander said at the District 58 Board meeting Monday.
The district is proposing a $13 million general obligation bond sale, $10 million of which will go toward Life Safety projects, and the remainder going to retire old debt.
Board member Scott O'Connell has threatened to sue to stop the sale of the bonds on the grounds that state law mandates that school districts go to referendum for building projects, and the bonds would be appropriate only in the case of an emergency.
O'Connell maintains the work has been contemplated for at least eight years, doesn't constitute an emergency and is a ruse to avoid asking voters for approval.
The board approved the bond issue at its July 13 meeting, with Board President Elizabeth Davis abstaining and withholding her signature, after which the board sued her in a non-adversarial manner.
The suit is designed to force the issue so the district's bond attorney, Chapman and Cutler, may grant the district the legal approval necessary to issue the bonds.
The district's counsel initiated the lawsuit against Davis, and it is currently pending.
While the majority of the money is slated for replacing deteriorating roofs at six district schools, other projects also will be done, including replacing ventilation units, deteriorating ceilings and light poles and one deteriorating asphalt playground.
In a move that prompted O'Connell's further displeasure, the district also approved moving $2 million from its Working Cash Fund into its Life Safety Fund in the anticipation of the future bond proceeds.
O'Connell said that state law mandated that any repayment of loans (within the district budget) had to come from property tax proceeds. "By law, the board is required to repay it only one way," O'Connell said.
Moreover, O'Connell said that board members who approved the transfer could be "subject to a $10,000 fine."
District Comptroller James Popernik insisted that the fund transfer had been reviewed with both the district's auditor and legal counsel.
Board member Sallie Lupesco asked if it were possible to get additional legal clarification.
"We've got contractors waiting to get payment, so the short answer is no ... I don't think so," Popernik said.
Board member John Cooper said he was "comfortable going ahead." Stephen Funk agreed.
The measure passed 6 to 1, O'Donnell dissenting and Davis requesting that he have his written concerns on Popernik's desk by "nine a.m. (Tuesday)."
After the meeting adjourned, O'Connell indicated that he would just send Popernik a copy of the state statute prohibiting the type of loan the board made.
Davis said of the situation: "It's frustrating," and noted that board members got their meeting packets ahead of time and were encouraged to ask questions.
D58 Life safety work goes on despite controversy
August 11, 2009
By HANK BECKMAN For The Sun
As the fight over issuing Life Safety Bonds lingers on, Downers Grove Grade School District 58 begins the work replacing district roofs and other safety projects the bonds are ultimately supposed to pay for.
The Illinois State Board of Education sent the district a letter saying they "see no obstacles to the district's issuance of the Life Safety bonds," Superintendent Paul Zaander said at the District 58 Board meeting Monday.
The district is proposing a $13 million general obligation bond sale, $10 million of which will go toward Life Safety projects, and the remainder going to retire old debt.
Board member Scott O'Connell has threatened to sue to stop the sale of the bonds on the grounds that state law mandates that school districts go to referendum for building projects, and the bonds would be appropriate only in the case of an emergency.
O'Connell maintains the work has been contemplated for at least eight years, doesn't constitute an emergency and is a ruse to avoid asking voters for approval.
The board approved the bond issue at its July 13 meeting, with Board President Elizabeth Davis abstaining and withholding her signature, after which the board sued her in a non-adversarial manner.
The suit is designed to force the issue so the district's bond attorney, Chapman and Cutler, may grant the district the legal approval necessary to issue the bonds.
The district's counsel initiated the lawsuit against Davis, and it is currently pending.
While the majority of the money is slated for replacing deteriorating roofs at six district schools, other projects also will be done, including replacing ventilation units, deteriorating ceilings and light poles and one deteriorating asphalt playground.
In a move that prompted O'Connell's further displeasure, the district also approved moving $2 million from its Working Cash Fund into its Life Safety Fund in the anticipation of the future bond proceeds.
O'Connell said that state law mandated that any repayment of loans (within the district budget) had to come from property tax proceeds. "By law, the board is required to repay it only one way," O'Connell said.
Moreover, O'Connell said that board members who approved the transfer could be "subject to a $10,000 fine."
District Comptroller James Popernik insisted that the fund transfer had been reviewed with both the district's auditor and legal counsel.
Board member Sallie Lupesco asked if it were possible to get additional legal clarification.
"We've got contractors waiting to get payment, so the short answer is no ... I don't think so," Popernik said.
Board member John Cooper said he was "comfortable going ahead." Stephen Funk agreed.
The measure passed 6 to 1, O'Donnell dissenting and Davis requesting that he have his written concerns on Popernik's desk by "nine a.m. (Tuesday)."
After the meeting adjourned, O'Connell indicated that he would just send Popernik a copy of the state statute prohibiting the type of loan the board made.
Davis said of the situation: "It's frustrating," and noted that board members got their meeting packets ahead of time and were encouraged to ask questions.