Getting cozy in D300

Here’s something that should definitely be of interest to Carpentersville Action Network readers …

McHenry Country Blog has some in-depth coverage on “tax hike committee” Advance 300 actions to stop the anti-“pay to play” item that was on Monday nite’s District 300 meeting agenda.

When Algonquin’s John Ryan beat school board President Mary Fioretti, one of his issues was following in the footsteps of Cary Grade School District 26. In this neighboring school district, board member Chris Jenner led the way for school districts statewide with a similar ordinance.

Tonight, Ryan’s proposal is scheduled to come up for a vote.

“Chair” of Advance300, Nancy Zettler, says there’s “no problem” with pay to play in D300. But, McHenry County Blog would argue otherwise, noting that companies that contributed a total of $37,000 collectively, received over $76 million in D300 contract awards.

Folks may recall that Advance 300 was highly instrumental in getting passed a huge referendum for D300 in March 2006. Not too long afterward, D300 began proclaiming their money woes again.

Others on the D300 board, however, don’t like Ryan’s insinuations.

Yes, I have a problem with Advance 300‘s very existence. And, yes, I do care “about the kids” and “about making D300 the best possible”. I have a problem when District actions are heavily influenced by any small political conglomerate, because it forces districts to cater to one or the other, taking away from the democratic process by taking individual actions and ideas out of competition.

The NW Herald quotes board member Mary Warren as saying …

“There is no pay-to-play here,” board member Mary Warren said. “We take the low bid, and I think this could hinder us.”

But, The Daily Herald reports …

Last year, Burnidge Cassell and Associates, an Elgin-based design firm, donated $5,000 to Advance 300, the group that successfully campaigned for two large tax hikes in Community Unit District 300.

After the election, District 300 awarded Burnidge Cassell a no-bid contract to design new schools that would be financed by money the district gained in the 2006 referendum.

Now, apparently Burnidge-Cassell has been under contract for several years, before the referendum. However, I think it contradicts Ms Warren’s statements. But, if it’s not a problem, why not make sure it doesn’t ever become a problem?

And, take notice of how Advance 300‘s arguments mirror that of the Board members …

After all the problems that seem to keep coming up on D300 with finances, you’ve got to begin to wonder whether there is something more to it …