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Well, its been a while and just when you thought that an issue so derisive and contentious with its voters would be put to rest, ITS BACK.

Thats right ladies and gentlemen, and I do hope its Ladies and Genteel-men, because this fighting is starting to get ugly.

School district 204 recent news to relocate the proposed new HS called Metea, from the storied (and cursed) land of the Brock-Brody estate, takes another turn for the bizarre, as the good residents of Rt 59 sub-divisions, get out their checkbooks, summon their lawyers, and rally to battle the 204’s decision to move forward with the bond and new High School

Is it safe to say that the idea of a new high school is losing popularity each day. The bond barely passed ( the second time it was offered) -and no one is quite sure it would pass now.

After botching the purchase for the BB property ( a stones throw for White Eagle). The location and new divisions have forced, public transportation-starved Tall Grass communities to drive another 5 or so miles - gasp!!.

And now, one of the wealthiest subdivisions within the proposed boundaries are calling foul because of environmental and procedural items,as well as an overall distaste for driving Escalade-sized SUVs too far past Costco on their way to school.

To Wit : ( from an email distributed to residents)

Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 4:37 PM
Subject: School District 204

Dear Concerned Residents of District 204-

A group called Naperville Schools For Our Children (NSFOC) have decided to lead an effort toward legal action against the school board and have retained a Naperville attorney by the name of Shawn Collins. It is anticipated that the Board is planning to close on the Eola site March 10th. Thus, Mr Collins feels it important to file a motion for an injunction prior to that date. Below is a summary of initial points-

* There is a website set up NSFOC.org

* Mr Collins suggests proceeding with a two pronged approach; environmental and municipal.

* The environmental concerns are that of the contaminated soil and from the municipal side Mr Collins feels there’s a better than 50% chance that he can prove that while not explicit, there was enough printed communication that implied the community was voting on the Broch/Brody site with boundaries.

* The strategy is to seek an injunction to stop the purchase of the Eola site.

Time is of the essence so the next step from NSFOC’s perspective is to engage the entire community and start collecting money to fund the initial legal work. They initially suggested $204 per household to get started; $204 for district 204. They need to know by Wednesday of this week that they can fund the first leg of this which is anticipated to cost between $25,000 to $50,000. If you’d like to participate please drop off your check made out to NSFOC to either Laura ) or Lynda ) ASAP. Remember, this has to be a community effort and can’t proceed without the appropriate funding.

Lastly, there is going to be an “informational meeting” to a broader audience this week. It is planned for 7pm on Tuesday March 4th at the White Eagle Homeowner’s Club.
Mon, 3 Mar 2008 15:37:25 -0500
Subject: IMPORTANT 204 NEWS!
Dear District 204 Residents,
As most of you are already aware, on February 19th, the school board passed a new boundary proposal to go with the sudden change to the new Eola/Rt.88 school site - to go along with a higher cost yet to be determined. As we expected, the school board had already made up their minds as signified by the prepared statements they read.
Officials summarily dismissed rational and logical arguments from many individuals, ranging from pleas to follow their own criteria to requests to slow down and reconsider their planned actions. Many thanks to all concerned 204 residents and groups who showed up and/or spoke at the meeting. You have patiently waited for some action and next steps. You may have thought it was all over. It’s not over.
Next steps.

Legal firms have been interviewed (mostly by District 204 resident attorneys and business people familiar with the details). The Collins Law Firm has been selected as lead counsel and, pending your collective voice and support, action will be taken to force the Board and District to slow down the due diligence process relating to the environmental issues at the new Eola site, and to account for the representations that were made during the second referendum process (specifically promises that the third high school would be built on the BB land). Good relationships with other national firms and legal foundations are being maintained in the event they need to step in and help.
Several resident groups have reached out to join forces with our organization as a show of unity, and in recognition that inclusive actions by concerned parents across District 204 trump exclusive interests every time. We have also combined, and will continue to expand forces, with other neighborhoods in district-wide unity.
As you may know we are forming a non-profit organization to look after the interests, health and safety of our children and their right to attend the nearest schools to their neighborhood. Neighborhood Schools for our Children (NSFOC) is an umbrella organization, non-neighborhood specific, made up of District-wide members. NSFOCs main focus is overturning poor decisions made by the School Board.
Please pass this information on to interested parties who are unhappy with the decision-making in our district. We have setup a web site ( <http://www.nsfoc.org/> http://www.nsfoc.org) that we encourage you to visit and register with your contact information for newsletters and other flash communications that we send periodically as we make progress towards achieving our common goals.
To help volunteer and to become a member click on the REGISTER button, To help fund the effort, please click on the DONATE button. In order to proceed, we need the support of as many caring parents and citizens as possible. Although we have raised thousands of dollars, we will need thousands more to enforce our rights against an out of control process.
Please consider making a donation if you support moving forward for our children and our community! Numbers are powerful and we need to show that, contrary to the Board’s assertions, there are more than a few isolated residents who are not satisfied with their sudden change in direction.
The first rally is on Tuesday 3/4/08 at 7 PM, at White Eagle Club House, 4265 White Eagle Drive (take Route 59, turn west on 83rd street/Montgomery and left at first entrance by the pool - suggested way) Attorney Shawn Collins will attend.
Join us! By registering right away you can keep up with other events, news and information.
Sincerely,
Neighborhood Schools For Our Children

Now that sounds like warfare!

Good thing the people of Tall Grass know how to speak with their pocketbooks- it should get someones’ attention…$50,000 is alot of money. Maybe even a city council member or state senator will get involved.

However it is a shame for all those families who can barely afford their newly adjusted mortgage payments and gas money, let alone a donation to help sway legal decisions their own neighborhoods way.

Did not all of us vote in our elected officials because of their trusted judgment?

It seems silly to allow a wealthy contingent of any district to sway a school boards decision with legal clout and money.

It does seem that all this posturing is basically being raised because a subsection of people do not want their kids to go to a certain High School, although still located in the famed school district 204.

The remedy here is simple.

Send the kids to a private school, or move to a better district.

But don’t offer reasons for suing as legal this, and environmental that. Grandstanding is for politics.

Maybe 204 should consider putting the high school INSIDE White Eagle, or even purchase the clubhouse and renovate it for all of the students.

But as for the new High School, a better idea altogether would be to let the issue go and just move on.