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Post by title1parent on Jun 5, 2008 5:50:01 GMT -5
D204 residents need to pull together over Metea Valley
June 5, 2008 SUN OPINION
It was perhaps ironic for the long-awaited ceremonial groundbreaking for Metea Valley High School that Indian Prairie School District 204 officials would be faced with uncooperative weather.
As a consequence, Tuesday's ceremony was held inside the gymnasium at Indian Plains Alternative High School until the rain stopped, the sun shone and everyone could move outside to, as Superintendent Stephen Daeschner said, "throw a little dirt" in recognition of the occasion.
The real earth moving at the actual site began several weeks ago, in keeping with the district's long-held plan to get the school built and open by autumn 2009, no matter what.
THE ISSUE: A ceremonial groundbreaking for Metea Valley High School took place Tuesday. OUR VIEW: We hope this will bring an end to the bickering and bitterness about the site decision, but realize that aspiration is perhaps too much to hope for.
It's been a tough go of it for the district, with three lawsuits over the site selection. The one filed by the NSFOC parents group attempting to force the district to buy the Brach-Brodie site has been dismissed, with a judge Wednesday officially putting an end to it. The suits filed by the Brach and Brodie trusts seeking damages also were in court Wednesday, seeking a total of $5 million in damages for an eminent domain lawsuit the district dropped. Though the long, contentious battle over the district's third high school has yet to come to a close, it is good to see the district forging ahead.
At Tuesday's ceremony, School Board President Mark Metzger, addressing the controversy about the school site, said he hopes this beginning "is also the end to all of the acrimony, back biting and infighting."
Giving his school board president's take on the often geographical component of the struggles over the site, Metzger added that the district is not composed of people from Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield, but rather that "we are 47 square miles of us and nothing else. As a community what we do best is provide for the education of our young people."
In essence, he is right - the district provides the same fine educational opportunities for all those within its boundaries, regardless of what city they live in or what high school they attend.
We echo Metzger's sentiment that the "acrimony, back biting and infighting" come to an end, but it comes with the knowledge that, given the passions involved, they probably will not.
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kjm
Frosh
Posts: 20
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Post by kjm on Jun 5, 2008 7:42:21 GMT -5
By stating that Popejoy "officially" put an end to it Weds, does that mean there will be no appeal?
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Post by WeNeed3 on Jun 5, 2008 7:57:08 GMT -5
For some reason, June 5th sticks in my mind as the day everyone pow wows back with the judge. That's today.
ETA: On the last page of the judge's summary on ipsd webiste, it says case set for status June 5th 9:00 room 2005
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Post by wvhsparent on Jun 5, 2008 8:11:48 GMT -5
For some reason, June 5th sticks in my mind as the day everyone pow wows back with the judge. That's today. Per the Circuit Clerk's System....... It was today 6/5/08. But that date has been stricken from the docket, and the case closed.....no other dates set. so no pow-wow today.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Jun 5, 2008 8:14:06 GMT -5
Ok, I'm going to take that as good news then!
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Post by rural on Jun 5, 2008 8:32:32 GMT -5
Does this answer your question? From the NSFOC site:
D204 May Be Liable For $5M To BB Trust Excluding Damages June 4, 2008 Updated 6/5/08
While NSFOC weighs the options on whether or not to appeal Judge Popejoy's decision to honor D204's request to dismiss the NSFOC and Plaintiffs' complaint about broken promises, taxpayers should note that the legal fees now claimed by the Brach-Brodie lawyers, for walking away from the Brach-Brodie land promoted during the 2006 Referendum process, are estimated at $5 million.
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Post by rural on Jun 5, 2008 8:33:47 GMT -5
Any appeal would be made to the Illinois Appellate Court. They are done locally.
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Post by gatormom on Jun 5, 2008 8:41:42 GMT -5
Any appeal would be made to the Illinois Appellate Court. They are done locally. Is there a time limit? I mean could they come back in 2 years after a few more fundraisers informational meetings and car washes and file an appeal? I personally think they won't say yes or no officially until the district agrees not to pursue them for legal expenses.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Jun 5, 2008 8:43:32 GMT -5
Thanks rural. Must still be trying to get $$ then to see if they can go forward. I wonder how many people are the decision makers in that group? Or do the people on the lawsuit do what they want as long as they have enough of other people's money? Have they had a recent meeting to see what everyone else wants to do?
I'm not looking for answers, I'm just curious as to how this group is organized.
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Post by Arch on Jun 5, 2008 8:46:47 GMT -5
Any appeal would be made to the Illinois Appellate Court. They are done locally. Is there a time limit? I mean could they come back in 2 years after a few more fundraisers informational meetings and car washes and file an appeal? I personally think they won't say yes or no officially until the district agrees not to pursue them for legal expenses. The district needs to put in writing that they won't. I think then, it will be done, over and behind us. Gotta give to get and coming together starts with the first step, regardless of who actually takes it. If they want the district to come back together, they (the district) needs to be willing to put the first foot forward. No reason why they shouldn't.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Jun 5, 2008 9:02:00 GMT -5
I agree arch. It would be a good step in acknowledging that these people had a beef. I don't know if it would be good enough for some, as I think many people want some sort of press release with an apology from Dr. D and MM on the 10:00 news, but IMO it still shows that the district doesn't have a vendetta against "certain areas" as so many believe. It would be a good step on the district's part to mend the rift.
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Post by wvhsparent on Jun 5, 2008 9:04:39 GMT -5
Any appeal would be made to the Illinois Appellate Court. They are done locally. Is there a time limit? I mean could they come back in 2 years after a few more fundraisers informational meetings and car washes and file an appeal? I personally think they won't say yes or no officially until the district agrees not to pursue them for legal expenses. There is a time limit...ususally 30-60 days
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Post by wvhsparent on Jun 5, 2008 9:06:19 GMT -5
Is there a time limit? I mean could they come back in 2 years after a few more fundraisers informational meetings and car washes and file an appeal? I personally think they won't say yes or no officially until the district agrees not to pursue them for legal expenses. The district needs to put in writing that they won't. I think then, it will be done, over and behind us. Gotta give to get and coming together starts with the first step, regardless of who actually takes it. If they want the district to come back together, they (the district) needs to be willing to put the first foot forward. No reason why they shouldn't. Very true arch, It sure would be a good move on the SD/SB part.....they need all the good PR they can get.
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Post by Arch on Jun 5, 2008 9:11:53 GMT -5
I agree arch. It would be a good step in acknowledging that these people had a beef. I don't know if it would be good enough for some, as I think many people want some sort of press release with an apology from Dr. D and MM on the 10:00 news, but IMO it still shows that the district doesn't have a vendetta against "certain areas" as so many believe. It would be a good step on the district's part to mend the rift. Exactly, They had what they felt a legit list of complaints. They tried other avenues (public comment, emails, phone calls, etc) to air them and felt they were not heard or at least nothing was done to satisfy or remedy. What they got in return was ridicule and downright nasty behavior from the leadership and many residents alike and they sought legal remedy per the system which our country allows for. Unfortunately for them, the path chosen for remedy was closed shut by the judge based on a simple statute of authority. They were heard in court by a judge and were told where the law stood on the grounds under which they filed. It's done. Door closed, IMO. Time to stop holding it against them and honestly let it be done. The anti-NSFOC and others kept trying to claim the high road throughout it all. Time to actually show that it was for real and not just BS talk in an attempt to keep kicking the cat.
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Post by doctorwho on Jun 5, 2008 9:16:00 GMT -5
I agree arch. It would be a good step in acknowledging that these people had a beef. I don't know if it would be good enough for some, as I think many people want some sort of press release with an apology from Dr. D and MM on the 10:00 news, but IMO it still shows that the district doesn't have a vendetta against "certain areas" as so many believe. It would be a good step on the district's part to mend the rift. I can only speak for me, - I do not want a press release but would like some kind of acknowledgement that people in some areas have legit concerns. Ignoring those concerns, or pointing fingers at those areas as different kinds of problems is not the answer IMHO. I don't think that's too much to ask from people these areas helped elect..( in SB member case), and helped pass the school ref along with other areas. Meet with the PTSA leadership in those areas and their members and listen to what they have to say. Some will view it as special treatment, but some members met with areas that had concerns the first time thru - and provided guideance to those groups. Somewhere between hand holding and 'sit down and shut up' I believe lies the steps to trying to repair the rifts. True some will never be happy, but those are not the majority of people with concerns. Do you believe that is excessive - or that that should not occur ? I will take M2's comment about ending the backfighting and acrimonious stuff to stop the way it was explained here as a positive first step - taking action to help that is the follow thru. I believe the end result would be worth the effort.
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