Residents Respond to H-F Expansion: Feedback Friday

Welcome new and continuing readers alike to another edition of Feedback Friday, the feature that features you. We're currently standing at an ever-increasing 1,454 Facebook friends. Please, if you enjoy getting local info and being part of the conversation, let your friends know to "like" us. As a thanks, here are some highlights of what our readers said over the past week:

Overheard on Facebook and H-F Patch

The District 233 Board of Education voted unanimously in favor of passing a controversial $26 million H-F High School north building expansion. So far, the responses have been varied. Some are infuriated, others think this could be a very positive addition to our community. Here's a glimpse of how your neighbors feel:

• Our community is known for its educational opportunities and many fine people move here in part or in total because of the great schools. Our children continue to gain a great education that readies them for their next step, whatever that is. If you've been in the fieldhouse in the last 20 years, you know it is in terrible shape and space is at a premium. It's so overcrowded that students have team practices there anytime between 5:00 am and 11:00 pm. It is my understanding that property taxes will not go up to pay for these improvements and they're not asking us to pass a referendum to pay for it. I personally have no problem with building and campus improvements at H-F HS and believe it is one of the special amenities in our community that makes us shine above others. Also, this project was not a secret and has been discussed openly for quite a while, which can be verified by looking on their website.
  
• I can't believe it
• Great news, this will have such an economic boost to the area for years to come.
• Iowa is starting to look more and more attractive.
• It's funny how different the comments can be. One indicating great economic boost to the area while the very next wanting to move out of state. Perspective is interesting.
• This morning huh? In order to avoid the public from attending this meeting? Maybe from now on they should hold all their meetings that early.....
• ... LOOK INTO MOLD ISSUES IN THE SCHOOL FIRST!
• According to today’s Tribune, Homewood Flossmoor High School Dist. ranks second in the state with average administer salaries at an average of $167,237 (no data for # of administrators). The district average ACT Score is 21.3 and 41.9% of juniors scored high enough on at least three of the four parts of the ACT to be considered “college-ready” for key freshman classes. HFHS spends $15, 370 per student. Local property taxes account for 65.5% of funding sources with another 9.6% coming from other local sources. According to the State Board of Education there appears to be an estimated fund balance in the coffers for 2011 of over $56,000,000. Just something to ponder while watching the dust fly for the new “bang for your buck” field house and you must write that next property tax check.
• So you think this will raise the values of our homes. So this is going to save Flossmoor.
• Wow - 8:30 a.m. with short notice. Why was this meeting not scheduled with adequate notice at a time when hard-working taxpayers with day jobs can attend, say in the evening like usual??? Oh. Right. We know why.
• ... Your house is worth half what it was 5 years ago and your taxes are probably twice what they were. And HF wants to spend $26 MILLION? Ya think maybe it's time for a reality check? 
• So when and where was notice of this "public" meeting posted? Posted outside the Superintendent's office 48 hours and 1 minute beforehand? Buried in some sub-directory on the web site? Let's also teach the kids that they only need to follow the letter of the law, not its spirit! Well played, Von, well played....
• At 8:30 am on a weekday so the community members who are lucky enough to be employed cannot participate. Wonderful.
• Ridiculous! They approved it... Not surprising, given the corruption on that Board.
• Total BS! Such a waste of money!

Thanks again to all our friends for your continued readership and support.