I believe that you should have found a more serious picture of the District 97 board president [Oak Park schools settle on referendum tax hike, News, Jan. 19].
I can understand that people with children going through District 97 may be able to understand the needs as may have been detailed, but all I see is a smiling person and another $600 annually I will lose while knowing that the district has lost rank in state standings over the 32 years I have been a villager. Thus, there is no return on my investment.
I would be happy to give it and more if I had a guarantee that rankings would improve as a result, with a money-back clause if, after a year, they have not. My home has lost marketability because of the decline in the school system.
Jim Pabin
Oak Park
