The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Jody Zscheck - Correspondent
I spent all day last Saturday, going through all of the notes and paperwork that I have accumulated since January 02, when I began writing for The Macomb Eagle, it's affiliates, and for "The Quill".
The publisher of these respected newspapers gave me the chance to 'flex' my writing skills. I figured that I would enjoy writing about the people and events in the surrounding area because I truly love living in West Central Illinois. I have made some wonderful friends since our move to Macomb in 1989.
What I didn't know was that I would find myself writing about the touchy issue of consolidation between four local school districts.
The first meeting that I attended was an 'open forum' held by the Committee of Ten at the LaHarpe Christian Church on June 20.
I sat quietly off to the side, taking notes about such things as declining student enrollment, declining Equalized Assessed Values, and insufficient state aid. I heard about how a group of volunteers had sat down and done all kinds of figuring, for hours on end, trying to come up with a way to keep their schools afloat, despite the dismal 'bottom line.'
One of the guys, who seemed to know a lot about the "financial stuff", said, "We would welcome anyone who would like to check our figures again." That caught my attention. I had to wonder if he really meant it.
It took me several weeks of traveling to each of the four districts, and listening to all these different people, before I realized that, yes, he DID mean it. He really did want people to check the figures again, and ask questions. I found that all of these people, who were working on this "consolidation thing," meant it.
At each meeting I attended, they invited people to join one of the many committees. It didn't matter to them, if you were against consolidation. What did matter was your ideas, your knowledge, your questions, and your input. They repeatedly asked community members to get involved.
As I slowly started to learn the names of some of the men and women who were talking about all of this "consolidation stuff," I realized that they were moms and dads (and a grandpa or two) who were worried about what lies ahead for their kids. Not one of these people ever EVER suggested that the schools their children attend now, are anything, but the best. They are all very proud Midwesterners who would not want to be living anywhere, but here.
What they have said, over and over again, is that they are worried.
Worried, because the cost of education is going up, and the money their local schools can bring in, is going down. I am not much of a budget person, just ask my husband but I can do the math. 'If ya gotta keep spendin' more than ya got comin' in, then yer gonna end up broke.'
I honestly believe that this is the point the Committee of Ten has been trying to make.
They all had that ol' 'OK,-we've- got-a-problem-here, it's-going-to-get-worse, so-let's-look-at-ways-to-solve-it' attitude.
To avoid losing their schools completely like, what happened in Dallas City these people started to look at different ways to solve the problem their schools faced. (And, despite what some folks falsely continue to imply, the move from a two-way consolidation to a five-way, and then, the present, four-way has ALL been done with the previous knowledge, and blessings, of each of the school boards involved. If you don't want to believe me, call up your school board president and ask him, point blank.
Just don't make the mistake of voting on 'coffee shop' gossip, instead of the facts. 'Nuff said.)
Anyway, these people from Roseville, Good Hope, Blandinsville, Colchester, LaHarpe, and probably everywhere in between started getting together about twice a week to talk about what to do.
Some of these folks, (like the school board members that you elected), have been trying to hash through all of this financial trouble for three years now. This whole consolidation idea is not a 'flash in the pan,' as some of the gossip has suggested. No way, no how.
Most of the worries seem to center around the high school kids, because the elementary schools shouldn't change much.
At the public meetings, I have heard questions that range from who is going to be teaching what, to what all this will mean to taxes, to how is the water problem in Sciota going to be taken care of.
I know that some people are very worried about how they are going to work out all of the bus routes, so that the kids won't be on the buses forever. Back at the meeting in June, some of the folks were worried that the new high school would end up in Roseville.
(Now, I understand, there are some parties who are worried that it won't end up in Roseville! Go figure!)
The plan, to bring all the kids together from the 'get go' so that, the new school district could start on a good footing, is not popular with some citizens. All I can say, is that you and I both know, darn well, that there is no perfect solution to anything. Have you ever had to live through the mess of remodeling your house (the kitchen is the worst!), or having your backyard dug up for awhile? Well, sure it'll be a pain in the neck, but after looking over every single thing that could be done, asking every single question in the book, and talking to a zillion people who work in the schools, (or have been through consolidations, and such) this group of volunteers came up with a plan that will solve more problems, cost less money, and be the best possible solution for the kids to start reaping the benefits that this consolidation is supposed to be all about curriculum.
That's another thing these people who have been looking into all of this consolidation stuff? They, like you, had a lot of unanswered questions. They, like you, went through all kinds of emotions that come with change. But, after a ton of research, they have been able to answer most of those questions not all but most. They seem to have been able to move past the emotional issues because they have come to realize that there is going to be changes, one way or another.
The questions they can't answer, are the ones that I call the "what if..." questions. You know, the kind of questions that you just won't know the answer to, until you get there.
And I don't think that there is anything wrong with that. We don't run our lives, or raise our children, based on "what if's...". If we all did that, we wouldn't have had kids to begin with. I feel like you can talk yourself out of just about anything based on "what if's...".
As with anything, there are people who aren't going to be happy, no matter what. They seem to be the biggest "what if..." askers of all.
Well, "what if" people don't pull together, and vote for consolidation? We already know that the school districts are going broke; and that the state can't help.
Like 'em or not, those are the facts. So, "what if" the consolidation fails next week? Tell you what, even the "nay sayers" can't answer that one.
Oh, sure, they may have an "opinion," but I have yet to hear any facts to back up those opinions.
One thing is for sure. Opinions are not gonna pay teachers' salaries. Opinions won't buy text books. Opinions probably won't be able to keep open a school with little or no money to pay the bills.
So, what to do? Well, I really hope each and every one of you has been to your school board meetings and some of the "open forums" to figure out what is really and truly going to be the best thing for the future of your very own children.
If you have well, then 'kudos' to you! Whether you end up voting, yes or no, you will know in your heart that you are voting like you're supposed to vote in this country.
You are voting a certain way because you have made the effort to go out and educate yourself. And I, for one, really respect you for that.
If you haven't been able to get out for meetings and believe me, with three kids of my own, I know exactly how hard that can be I sure hope that you have been reading the newspaper; not just letters to the editor, but the coverage of the meetings. I, for one, have written articles covering, just about, each and every one of the public meetings, and several of the school board meetings, since June. I have also interviewed the four superintendents and four of the principals. I even bought a mini cassette recorder to tape the meetings and interviews. I wanted to be able to report what I learned, back to you, as accurately as possible. You still might have time to get your hands on some back issues of the newspapers. That way, you could read up on all of this stuff before the election. Whatever you do, make your vote count. Don't rely on bits and pieces of information that may, or may not, be accurate.
As for me, I don't even have a vote in all of this!
But on a personal level, I have learned several things since I started covering the consolidation issue in June. I think I will try to get to a few of the Macomb School Board meetings in the future even though they can be more boring than folding clothes. I think I will be a little bolder about asking questions of people that are 'in charge.'
I've learned that, for the most part, those 'in charge' people don't bite.
If I don't understand an answer they give me; or I don't think they have really answered my question, then, I guarantee you, I'll ask them again. Also, I think I will try to give them 'the benefit of the doubt' sometimes, even when I do disagree with them.
On one hand, I am glad I don't have to vote on this. I grew up in a very small town, too. I am sure that this will be a very emotional decision for many of you. But, let me share one other thought. My daughter is a senior at Macomb High. She wants to go to college, and major in biology.
As we have toured a few college campuses recently, I have been so thankful that she has had some say in the classes that she has been able to take in high school. I am thrilled that she has had the chance, and has chosen, to take a couple of those classes that they call, "advanced placement," honors classes, and such.
As a mom, it does my heart good to know that she will be better prepared for college than I was, when I graduated high school.
In closing, I realize that the outcome of this vote does not affect my kids but it DOES affect yours.
Give all of this "stuff" some extra thought before you go to the polls on Nov. 5th. Make the choice that YOU honestly believe will be the best thing for your kids. Then, vote.
Good luck to Colchester, Roseville, LaHarpe, and the Northwest area!
We'll be watching over here in Macomb!