By Andrea Arens
Another $4.6M in bonds was approved by the Peotone School Board on October 21 but not without some contention.
Board member Tim Stoub said the board passed an unfunded budget until the evening’s $4.6M in bonds were approved, and said, “This is a bit of a bullying tactic. I’m forced into approving this money to fund a budget that went first. I don’t like the order of events, and I don’t know if that was done on purpose or not.”
Stoub continued to ask about who was on the finance committee and how long they had been on the finance committee. He added there was new administration, possibly with new ideas, but yet the school board was looking at the same old debt.
Board member Roger Bettenhausen concurred and reminded Stoub of the referendum he fought against. Stoub said a majority voted no, and that he wasn’t solely responsible for the referendum’s failure. Bettenhausen told Stoub he could vote no.
Stoub replied, “Madame President, are you going to let me know when it’s okay to do something different?”
Board President Tara Robinson retorted, “Tim, are you grandstanding? You know your role as a board member.”
Stoub replied, “Yes, I absolutely know my role, just wondering what yours is?”
The contention continued for just a few minutes more, with Stoub suggesting new ideas should be sought and Robinson suggesting if the bonds weren’t used, cuts would have to be made – a similar statement was issued when referendums were on the ballot in the past.
All in all, the bond issuance passed with everyone voting yes but Stoub.
Job descriptions for a registered behavior technician and a school bus aide were unanimously approved, along with a stipend for a third PES STEM club sponsor.
The meeting didn’t end in peace, though. Robinson made one final statement. She said that in her time on the board, using working cash bonds has always been a mechanism of funding that’s been used. Alternatives were voted down by the community. Robinson said she’s also been on the board when cuts had to be made, and noted, “We’re not a business that makes something.”
Stoub attempted to interrupt Robinson but was told not to interrupt. Stoub retorted that Robinson interrupts speakers and students all the time.”
“It’s a long road back from making those cuts. There’s no way to cut $2M from a budget every year and still educate students in the classroom,” said Robinson.
Public comment also became contentious when resident Jim Bowden brought up his concerns regarding the plan for the new sports complex to be built behind the high school. Residents on Oak Street previously have expressed their concerns regarding flooding in the area, and that any further development will increase flooding.
School board member Roger Bettenhausen said the capital improvement project won’t have any affect on adjacent property owners, and said, “We want to be good neighbors.”
Bowden added, “Don’t think you’re going to slip this through. You have a track record at the junior high of trying to sneak that project through.”
Bettenhausen retorted, “You spread misinformation to take care of whatever stupid agenda you have. You could care less about their water problems. You use people as pawns.” The exchange was redirected by Robinson as they moved on with the agenda items.