Lee on D300 Ethics Reforms and Student Fees Increase

Rob Lee, candidate for D300 Board, has issued press releases regarding his position on the progress made on ethics reform and opposing increases in Student Fees.  The releases are posted in their entirety below:

ROBERT LEE STATEMENT ON PROGRESS FOR DISTRICT 300 ETHICS REFORMS

I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made in the Policy Committee on important ethical reforms for District 300.  I stand committed to the principle that District 300 must not engage in business with vendors or contractors that seek to influence district elections with political contributions.

More so, I have a sincere hope and belief that we, both as a committee and a school district, will implement these reforms before too long.  In light of what has happened in our state within recent months, all levels of government need to look long and hard at whether an opportunity for conflicts of interest exists in their policies.  District 300 has an opportunity, and I believe our board has an obligation to close that loophole as soon as possible.

In the Policy Committee, we’ve asked the question – how will this policy be implemented?  I support a policy which clearly states the expectations of the district, but still allows the administrative staff enough flexibility to enforce the policy fairly and efficiently.

Including a statement of the policy with documents such as bid packets and a request for quotes is one such way.  We include other requirements with those documents already, and this requirement would not be anything capricious.  I do not find it unreasonable to require a vendor or contractor to avoid political conflicts of interest.  For example, vendors and contractors must demonstrate they meet prevailing wage requirements, something far more stringent and pressing.

What is most important is that District 300 is that we make an effort to close this potential loophole.  Waiting for our own version of the former governor to emerge is unacceptable.  We have an opportunity now to pass what is a difficult, but necessary, reform.  By the progress we’ve seen with this policy, I’m encouraged that we’ll soon see it done.

ROBERT LEE OPPOSES PROPOSED INCREASE IN STUDENT FEES FOR DISTRICT 300

Robert Lee opposes District 300’s proposal to increases student activity fees, as presented at the Board of Education meeting on Monday night.

“I find it ridiculous that we’re raising student fees in light of our economy and other actions of this school district,” Lee said. “Families are facing tough obstacles in the current economy, and last month the district admitted to hiring more teachers than were necessary. In light of that, the district is still asking parents to pay more activity fees on top of what is already paid.”

Lee highlighted the admission that District 300 hired fifteen and a half more full time elementary teacher positions than necessary for the current school year, costing the district hundreds of thousands of dollars that was not needed.

“I do not believe the District has asked teachers to take a pay-cut next year as a result of its poor financial planning, nor do I think it would be fair. Equally, I think it is horribly unjust to ask parents already facing tough times to pay more money for their children’s school activities.”

Lee said this demonstrates another reason his proposals for Financial Impact Statements (FIS) and quantitative program evaluation are critical to improving District 300.

“An FIS would have given the District a five year cost projection for these student activities, allowing for proper budgeting beforehand. Additionally, the District should be able to demonstrate student achievement and performance will drop without parents paying higher activity fees. I will never support an increase to student fees without both these critical pieces of information available. In fact, I wouldn’t even consider it for my vote.”

What’s your view?

At this week’s meeting of the Audit & Finance Commission, while discussing the credits to residents retroactively charged for water usage at the rate increased on September 18th, it was suggested that the environmental impact fee for garbage collection be taken off the quarterly water billing and possibly be added as a percentage of one’s property taxes.

What’s your view of this suggestion?

(What’s your view? is an opportunity for guests of Carpentersville Action Network to comment on an issue before I write my own view on the topic.)

Residents may receive water credit

Residents, mostly on the Village’s west side, who received bills reflecting a retroactive water rate increase should see a credit on their next billing.

The village audit and finance committee voted unanimously Thursday to recommend the government offer about $43,000 in credits to homeowners and businesses affected by the retroactive increase.

Because the Village bills in 3 cycles, with a third of residents in each cycle, some residents may not have received their bills yet, and the commission is recommending that the Board make the rates effective Jan 1st billing, in order to give residents adequate notice of the increase approved September 19th.

It will be up to the Village Board to approve the credits at the next meeting of the Board on Oct 16th.

However, a $3 fee for garbage collection will remain on the bills, although it was supposed to be removed.

“The reasons for the fee still exist,” Village Manger Craig Anderson said. “Fuel costs are at the same level, and the collection companies still have to pay for environmental permits.”

Trustee Paul Humpfer, who is also the chairman of the Audit and Finance Commission, said they will look at removing the fee in the future and replacing it with an increase in resident’s property taxes.

[Read the Courier-News article]