FOREST LEAVES — Feb. 1, 2006

Dist. 90 group to start referendum campaign
BY CHRIS LAFORTUNE
STAFF WRITER

A committee supporting District 90's tax-hike referendum plans a campaign kick-off event Feb. 12 at Roosevelt Middle School.

The event runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the north gym at Roosevelt, 7560 Oak Ave.

The event will showcase programs at the River Forest schools that are not necessarily reflected in test scores, said Amy McCormack, co-chair of the Committee to Preserve River Forest Schools.

"We'll have some musical performances, there may be a small performance by the drama group, part of the spring musical," she said. "There will be the string ensemble, maybe the jazz band, some of the other musical groups within the school, maybe the recorder club."

The Roosevelt teacher band will also be there.

The committee also plans forums at District 90's three schools to discuss the referendum, McCormack said. District 90 is asking voters to approve a 27.5¢ tax rate hike on the March 22 primary election ballot.

Forums are scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 16 in the auditorium at Lincoln School, 511 Park Ave., at 7 p.m. March 2 in the Roosevelt auditorium, and at 7 p.m. March 8 in the auditorium at Willard School, 1250 Ashland Ave.

"It won't necessarily be a debate, but it really will be an opportunity for members of the community to come and learn about the referendum," McCormack said. "There will be lots of opportunities to ask questions."

At least one member of the School Board will be there, as well as representatives from the district administration, McCormack said. The committee also hopes to have someone from the district's fiscal action team attend.

That team recommended the district seek a tax increase this year.

The committee is also talking about canvassing door-to-door and making phone calls to urge voters to support the referendum, McCormack said. It also plans a newspaper letter-writing campaign.

The committee is looking for volunteers to help, McCormack said. Those interested may call the committee's hotline at (708) 488-1647. That number is also available for anyone with questions about the ballot proposal.

The committee is raising money to pay for its activities, with a goal of $15,000, McCormack said.

"People have been extremely generous and interested in making sure that this happens," she said. "I don't think we're going to have to go to great lengths to raise the funds."

Steering committee members include Sue Foran, Gardi Wilks, Patty McEnaney, Liz Tinkham, Ken Gaebler, Ellen Hanson, Karen Dale, Sue Kelty, Sally DelBeccaro, Anne Brennan, Kathleen Brand-White, Catherine Trage, John Trage, Eileen Bower, Bill Bower, Brian Allan, Terrie Rayburn, Patty Henek, Margie Cekander, Ann Pepper, Alison Nelson, Jan Pyrce, Lynn Zurowski, Tina Weinheimer, Judy Shelstad, Judy Brennan, David Hanson, Nancy Hanson, P.J. Hosty, Merry Beth Kowalszyk, Dr. Gene Lawrence, Carlotta Lucchesi, Leah Marcus, Nancy McCracken, John O'Neill and Terri Schroeder.

More information from the committee on the referendum will be available at its Web site, www.preserverfschools.org, which was still under construction.

Chris LaFortune can be reached at clafortune@pioneerlocal.com.