“The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves”

This sentiment has been expressed on T-shirts, cubicle walls, and social media postings of all kinds. A variation seems to be represented by those who want to deny local tax revenue to Cook County Schools/ISD 166 until the district demonstrates improved performance. I don’t believe we should inflict punishment on current and future generations of students for the real or perceived mistakes of the past. Yes, there are economic realities of previous decisions that must be addressed; but not at the expense of our future.

I say “our” future because this is not just about ISD 166. The expenses the district faces are real, as are the cuts that will be necessary if this fall’s bond and levy initiatives fail. The economic barriers for young families seeking to establish themselves in the county– including housing and employment opportunities–are significant. Yet many will stay if they can be assured that their children will receive an excellent public education. We need to acknowledge that the loss of these families becomes a loss of the vitality and wholeness of our communities, and that taxpayers receive more in benefit than the costs they incur to adequately fund education.

The charter schools that share the responsibilities for educating the county’s children do not receive funding through these tax measures. However, we all rely on student enrollment and the engagement of young families for our success. The vision of an interdependent system of excellent schools is founded on the financial and operational health of the resident district, which is not only the largest, but the one that serves nearly every child in the county at some point–and often multiple points—in their academic careers.

The school board and staff at ISD 166 have made significant progress in their efforts to engage the community, demonstrate fiscal responsibility, and serve their students effectively. I believe we need to support them through our input, participation, and– in this particular season–our votes.

Peter James
Director Great Expectations School
Grand Marais