On Wednesday, October 12 the Great Expectations school board took the somewhat surprising step of voting to support the upcoming levy referendum for Cook County School District 166.
Surprising because the two schools compete from the same pool of students in K-8th grades.
“As a public charter school, Great Expectations (GES) cannot initiate a tax levy and will not receive any funds from the bond or operating levy proposals by Cook County Schools [I.S.D. 166],” said GES Director Peter James. “Nevertheless, we support passage of these initiatives for the following reasons:
After completing eighth grade, many GES students will continue their public education at Cook County High School and benefit directly from improved facilities, operations, and programming.”
On Nov. 8 Cook County residents will go the polls and cast their votes not only for the presidential election, but they will also have two questions on the ballot for I.S.D. 166. One asks voters to approve a school building capital bond in the amount not to exceed $6,500,000. The second asks voters to approve an excess levy referendum for $800 per student that would be applicable for the next six years.
James said the GES school board feels, “It is important that [Cook County] citizens see a multi-faceted system of excellent public schools as important to the community’s economic and social well-being.”
He also noted, “The I.S.D. 166 school board has demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of both the academic and social dimensions of its schools for all learners – a difficult task given the current level of state funding – which will have both direct and indirect benefits for GES students and families.
“The I.S.D. 166 school board has also demonstrated a commitment to developing positive relationships with the local charter schools in a shared effort to create educational excellence throughout the county, excellence which requires a strong and effective resident district at its core.
“Having high-quality educational programs in our communities helps attract and keep families here despite the challenges they face in housing, employment, and wage rates. The economic and social contributions of these families benefit everyone in the county.
“We hope you will join us in supporting the Cook County Schools ballot initiatives and vote ‘Yes’ in November,” said James.
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