OPRFDad

Posted: Thursday, March 15th, 2012 8:54 AM

Take a look at the minutes from the D97, D90 and D200 meeting earlier this year, and they tell you quite a lot. D90 and D200 seem to want to communicate with the community and reflect the community's wishes. D97 sees the community as an obstacle to what it wants to do. It also seems to want to spend money whenever possible, even on items that don't fit within its curriculum. That's called empire building. Like the VMA, the D97 school board needs to be turned over.

Same Crowd, New Waste from OP

Posted: Thursday, March 15th, 2012 8:00 AM

I find it hilarious that it's the same crowd that sold us on the desperate need for the Referendum that D97 is now wasting on FastforWord is in support of this overpriced project! Can Carolina Song, Jassen Strokosch, and Mattie Langenburg get a hobby or a job or something and stop spending other people's money? Jeesh!

Jassen Strokosch from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Monday, February 13th, 2012 9:57 PM

@Interesting - as others have noted already, curriculum plays a big part of this project as well as a number of substantial environmental improvements, increased accessibility and some much needed additional recreational space that will benefit residents all over the Village. Secondly, to your point about the spending of referendum funds, keep in mind that this project started and remains a community based effort, not a D97 driven effort. If anything, this project should serve as a model for a private-public partnership. Nearly all of the work so far is being done by volunteers (well into the 1000s of hours from local architects, engineers, planners, educators, grant writers etc etc), not District employees. Down the road, every dollar D97 commits (board hasn't approved anything yet) is likely to be leveraged against many private foundation and grant dollars. The point is, this project is not only a good project with many benefits to the school and the whole community, but it is trying to do it with as little impact on Oak Park tax payers as possible.

Outdoor Education

Posted: Thursday, February 9th, 2012 6:48 PM

@Interesting, try this link. It's the full presentation given in January. It's a big file though, 8 mg. Keep in mind this was a presentation deck, not meant to stand alone, but were talking points meant to guide the live meeting. You can also view the webcast of the presentation - which brings the slides to life - on the Irving Schoolyard website. http://www.irvingschoolyard.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/FULL-PRESENTATION-REDUCEDSIZE.pdf

Interesting

Posted: Thursday, February 9th, 2012 5:18 PM

@Outdoor ed. I have previously reviewed the info, but had the impression that it was incomplete and "developing." I just now went to the Irving site and only found this: http://www.op97.org/irving/documents/ISP-public-meeting.pdf. This is nothing but a pretty picture with "wow, gee whiz" pictures and words - hardly worth millions for "education." Can you please provide a link? Thanks.

Outdoor Education

Posted: Thursday, February 9th, 2012 4:45 PM

Hit send too fast and feel compelled to correct my spelling error...should have read "I would urge you to EDUCATE yourself on the education benefits" :) But I am sure you got the point.

Outdoor Education

Posted: Thursday, February 9th, 2012 4:44 PM

"Interesting," I would urge you to go to the Irving Schoolyard site and read the "full presentation" that illustrates the point you seem to be missing...that this IS about education, and not just an outside beautification project. Read the vision. See other cities and schools where this vision has come to fruition. I would urge you to education yourself on the educational benefits of this project.

Interesting

Posted: Thursday, February 9th, 2012 3:57 PM

@Done. This plan was not in the projected D97 budget if the ref passed. If you recall, we were told that the money was necessary for "education" - not this. And, to the credit of the board, they NEVER said that they would do this. If they change their mind and spend the millions for this, then they'll have to come back to us for another ref - "for the children" soon. This is the mindset that has brought OP the highest taxes in Illinois. Irving appears to be doing great with the blacktop. Right?

Done from Oak Park

Posted: Thursday, February 9th, 2012 3:47 PM

Interesting - Absolutely many residents in OP are struggling, our family included. I have no idea how I will make my tax payment that is due in 21 days. For what my tax bill is and for how low my home value has sunk I don't think I could sell if I wanted to. But what's done is done. The referendum passed and gave the Dist 97 millions of dollars which isn't coming back. Blacktopping Irving at least is something positive as opposed to what is probably going to happen with the money.

Interesting

Posted: Thursday, February 9th, 2012 3:38 PM

How is it possible that the author wrote "Irving school has a great reputation academically" when the school has had the existing blacktop for, well, ever? Could this be another example of "wants" turning in to "needs" in OP? The price has been estimated to exceed $2M. Again, how is it possible that the Irving kids have performed so well without this? Many OP residents are struggling today. Does any one care? How can any one consider this a "need?"

Done from Oak Park

Posted: Thursday, February 9th, 2012 2:36 PM

Hope to see this get done. This is the kind of project the referendum dollars should be going to. I'm sure we'll see a better return in the long run on this project as opposed to Fast Forward.

Estimated Timeline?

Posted: Thursday, February 9th, 2012 2:12 PM

I just looked over the site, www.irvingschoolyard.com and couldn't find anything on the estimated timeline moving forward? The Irving community is wonderful, and I would love to see this happen in my childrens' time there. Thanks to the tireless efforts of all involved! I am inspired to help!

Julie Chyna from Oak Park, Illinois

Posted: Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 4:20 PM

We are proud to be part of the Irving community. Thank you, Jim, for all you do to enhance Southweast Oak Park!

Carollina Song from Oak Park

Posted: Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 3:50 PM

As a non-Irving parent, I hope everyone in all corners of Oak Park can see that the Irving School community deserves to have green space and an outdoor learning environment.

Mattie Langenberg from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 3:23 PM

Well said. Thanks Jim!

Jassen Strokosch from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 1:56 PM

Thank you for writing such a great letter Jim. Couldn't agree more.