Shameful and Shameless

"Did anyone see the Pleasantdale newsletter with the incumbent candidates on the cover and then profiled inside? Apparently the rest of the Board hasn't contributed anything worthwhile recently. Is this self-promotion legal? The timing of the mailing is a little suspect as well."

"I thought the same thing when I saw yesterday's newsletter then I remembered thinking that there was something that didn't feel right about the previous newsletter as well. I pulled it out and the front cover was profiles of each board member instead of what the Board is doing to improve the school.

Does that happen at the same time every year or only in years where there is a contested election?

I won't take anything away from their accomplishments or commitment, but remember in life, perception is reality. If the Board members can't speak with an independent voice then perhaps they shouldn't be profiled independently. Sorry I missed the forum. Sounds like it was great. This is good reading."

Editor's Note:

How convenient that the timing of this "newsletter" came out just days before the election. Yes, it is meant to sway voters toward the incumbents. The same thing was done with the last "newsletter." Apparently not much is going on in the district that they can share with their constituents so they spend taxpayer dollars to send out a newsletter that says essentially the same thing as the last newsletter in order to keep the incumbents in the public eye.

Here's something they could have informed the community about: the summer construction projects. Obviously they don't want that to be in the public eye because of the community backlash they will receive in regard to the ridiculous waste of taxpayer funds.

Or, maybe they could have written about our wonderful technology program and the great strides we are making in bringing state-of-the-art technology advancements into the classrooms.

Yesterday's newsletter makes our work all the more harder. We don't have the deep pockets that our opponents and their committee have. That is one reason you don't see too many of our signs out in the community. We have had many requests for yard signs but sadly have had to turn most down because of a lack of signs. We won't be sending a out a mass mailing to 2900 residences because again, we don't have the funds to match the three separate mailings you will receive from them. We have, however, the energy to deliver them personally by going door to door in the community to meet the residents.

What we also have is a community that is not happy with the same old, same old. It is up to our supporters to get the word out on who would be best to continue to lead our school in a new direction.

We will continue to say that Patti and Leandra have served well on our school board but it is now time to pass the torch on to those who have children in the schools that will be directly impacted by the decisions made.

It is our hope that they will continue their service to the community by running for the Lyons Township High School Board of Education where they will be sure to make an impact with their technology foresight and strategic planning abilities.

Finally, we say shame on your Dr. Fredisdorf for wasting the taxpayers money with your propaganda newsletters. Why don't you spend that money on bringing interactive whiteboards into our schools so we can keep up with the surrounding districts!

Editor's note #2:

"I totally agree. I was disgusted at seeing that those school board members posted their profiles in the newsletter. And then continued on to yesterdays newsletter as well about how they completed courses. Well excuse me but anybody can take and complete a course. That doesn't make you the best man for the job. I want to know who pays for those newsletters? Can somebody please answer that?Because if it comes out of my tax money, then shame on the present school board and the super for using my money for that. If these other people campaigning have to use their own money why does the present board get a free ride.The news letter should be to inform us of what is going on with our school and students. Not for campaigning!"

Who is paying for these newsletters? You are!

"I too was appalled with the Pleasantdale newsletter. Any candidate with an ounce of self-respect would not have allowed this blatant attempt at influencing the election. Surely this must be illegal and reportable to the board of elections?"

This is being investigated.