I read with amusement the Journal Star’s report on the school board not supporting the proposed TIF districts for the Warehouse District and Eagle View.
The school district, however, is interested in sharing some of the tax proceeds or securing a commitment that some funds will be directed toward the area around a school planned for South Peoria.
So now they want to work with the city. You gotta love a school board whose definition of “give and take” is that the city gives and the school board takes. My initial reaction was that the city should show District 150 as much respect and willingness to compromise as the school board showed the city regarding the location of a new school in the East Bluff.
But on second thought, I think the city should use this opportunity to negotiate. The school board wants the city to share property tax proceeds from the TIFs. The city wants the new East Bluff replacement school to be located on the site of the current Glen Oak School and be urban in design. If the school board will agree to the city’s desires, then I see no reason the city shouldn’t agree to the school board’s desires, do you?
Let’s make a deal!
This week has been an interesting week so far. Both Monday and Today, and if recall last Friday too, I have witnessed a long daily procession kids from Franklin Edison School walking too and from Bradley Park. Yes dear readers, it was a lot of kids, many of which are visibly overweight, hoofing it 10 blocks… YES TEN BLOCKS to have some outdoor time in the park. Indeed they even had to cross that oh so very very very dangerous (well not really. ok.. kinda dangerous) street called University. No buses, no commuter vans, just the able transport of sneakers was used. Based on the loud chatter going too and fro, a good time was had by all.
One should note that Franklin Edison does not have 15 acres of land. It does not remotely sit next to a park. Last I looked, the small school yard they did had was mostly if not entirely asphalt.
So the kids at Glen Oak can’t walk to Glen Oak Park, a meager six blocks? Plueeessseee
With all due respect, how many of you in school ever visited a park as part of your school-day? What is there to be gained, except fresh air, by going to a park that cannot be taught in a classroom? This concept of Mr. Hintons’ was gained somewhere, not hought of by him-can we have an explanation!
One school board member told me she doesn’t have time to read blogs. Hmmmm.