It’s easy to be short-sighted. We’ve all done it. We take the comfortable choice at the fork in the road, confident that things will work out just fine, and then hold our heads in our hands when our choice ends in a morass.
The fork in the road we’re facing now is our decision on the District 97 referenda. Nobody wants to raise taxes. I’m mindful that this is a true hardship for some. It’s not fun for anyone. But if we vote No, are we really prepared to face the consequences? Are we really prepared to decimate music, art, foreign language, band, orchestra and library services?
In a village where we grieve the loss of a single elementary school principal, are we ready to lay off 139 teachers, aides and support people? Lose the International Baccalaureate programs at Brooks and Julian? Allow our class sizes to swell?
Many of us moved to Oak Park because of its excellent school system. If you grew up here, that’s probably part of why you stayed. Any real estate agent can tell you that our schools are a major selling point and keeps our home values strong. If we let our schools and our reputation erode, how long will it take to reclaim it? If we can ever reclaim it.
I for one don’t want to find out. I will vote yes on both referenda. I will support our excellent and hard-working D97 administrators and teachers who stretch every penny until its copper coating pops off. And I will support and encourage our village trustees as they find ways to grow our tax base and reduce pressure on homeowners.
Vote Yes.
Kris Gallagher
Oak Park