Pennoyer District 79 should do consolidation study
Fiscal responsibility includes planning ahead for future costs.
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Pennoyer Superintendent Kopta mentions a number of repairs and upgrades needed in the nearly 69-year-old building. These repairs and needed upgrades did not occur overnight.
Since 2014, Pennoyer has asked taxpayers six times for a property tax increase for repairs and six times taxpayers said no.
In 2018, Pennoyer asked taxpayers for $25 million, in 2020 they asked for $10.9 million and in 2021 they asked for $7.9 million.
How can the community trust any requests with such differences?
Kopta says “merging two school districts isn’t an option under Illinois school code, consolidation is.” Kopta also says a consolidation study would need to be done.
A consolidation study takes time, so why hasn’t that study been done? Pennoyer has been asking for more property taxes since 2014.
Kopta said the Pennoyer community was not in favor of consolidation because it would likely increase taxes. How does she know exactly the cost and benefits without the study?
Six times the taxpayer said no and because she says the community was not in favor of consolidation she did not have the study done which would have provided the community with information so that they could make an informed decision.
What is Kopta’s fiduciary responsibility here and to whom?
I wasn’t surprised at their latest failure. Their strategy and messaging was lacking.
Pennoyer was eligible for a 5% increase last year, they will get a 5% increase this year and if inflation remains high they will be eligible for another 5% next year.
Be honest with the community, do the consolidation study and put all options on the table, including the closure of Pennoyer, and allow the community to decide its fate.
Riccardo A. Mora
Norridge
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