Readers Say Yes to $89 Million Referendum

With two community groups going all out over an $89 million referendum to renovate Highland Park and Deerfield High Schools, Patch readers seem to be siding with those in favor of proposal.

As Education First and Community Leaders Educating and Advocating for the Referendum in 113 (C.L.E.A.R. 113) are doing everything they can to persuade voters, 33 of the 49 people responding to an unscientific survey want to see the measure pass. Sixteen are opposed.

Earlier: Where Do You Stand on the $89 Million Referendum?

People on both sides pulled no punches when expressing their views. Susan Kozloff does not like the way Township High School District 113 has been spending money and does not want to let it have more.

“My kids recently graduated and were educated under these ‘deplorable’ conditions yet both managed to be admitted to elite universities,” Kozloff wrote. “The monies could have been used to better maintain the facilities. The district did not live up to their fiduciary responsibilities on behalf of the taxpayers and their children.”

Karen Springen takes an opposite view. “I plan to vote ‘yes’ because I believe it's best for Highland Park students—and and for property owners,” she wrote. “Homes retain their value when schools are known to be exceptional. Here's a Wall Street Journal article that explains this phenomenon:”

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