I went through the D200 board meeting minutes to see how often each of this year’s candidates has spoken, and on what topics. I did not check for committee meetings. Mr. Lonks attends the finance committee and the facilities committee meetings on a regular basis. As far as I can tell, others do not. For each entry, regular font is what appears in the minutes, Italics for more detail based on listening to the videos. Links to a few videos are at the bottom of this post.
Harold Lonks
Harold has spoken many times over 8+ years at board meetings on a wide variety of topics.
| Year_Mo_day | topics from the meeting minutes |
| 2010_8_25 | topic not specified |
| 2010_9_22 | Budget |
| 2011_10_26 | (end-of-meeting) Finance |
| 2010_12_8 | (end-of-meeting) Revenue |
| 2011_6_8 | Technology & Budget |
| 2011_7_13 | Mr. Lonks asked questions about some line items and distributed a sheet of questions. Mr. Farley will follow-up with Mr. Lonks to address his questions. |
| 2011_8_24 | Budget |
| 2011_11_9 | IEP Software renewal |
| 2012_2_8 | Technology |
| 2012_2_22 | (end-of-meeting) Meeting Comments |
| 2012_5_9 | Consent Agenda Items (beginning & end) |
| 2012_6_13 | (end-of-meeting) Agenda Items |
| 2012_11_28 | Jefferson |
| 2012_12_12 | (end-of-meeting) Jefferson design and funding options |
| 2013_2_13 | Facilities |
| 2013_5_8 | (end-of-meeting) Agenda |
| 2013_6_12 | (end-of-meeting) Public Comments |
| 2013_8_14 | GCA Contract |
| 2013_9_11 | Budget |
| 2013_10_9 | Agenda |
| 2014_1_4 | Debt (others spoke of B-Sports) |
| 2014_2_26 | Bonds (D200 issued $10 million in bonds without referendum) |
| 2014_3_12 | GCA Contract, Technology, Financial Report |
| 2014_8_13 | budget |
| 2014_11_12 | Tax Levy |
| 2015_3_11 | Cell Phone Tower/Budget |
| 2015_5_13 | Technology Spending |
| 2015_6_4 | Contract and Public Comments |
| 2015_6_10 | Tech & Contracts (& end-of-meeting) Public Comments |
| 2015_11_11 | Calendar/Audit |
| 2015_12_9 | Calendar |
| 2016_9_14 | EnerNOC, Community Survey, Master Facility Plan |
| 2016_11_1 | Budget for Proposed Projects
Wants included in the list of things to do |
| 2016_11_9 | Proposed Calendar and Tax Abatement Agreement |
| 2017_1_11 | Action Items, Capital Renewal Funding, Bond Resolution
Sherman Dergis (fund building maintenance continually) |
| 2017_2_8 | Fund Raising Feasibility Study / Facility Master Plan |
| 2017_3_8 | (end-of-meeting) referendum
Trust – $ on lit is misleading Vroman “Point of clarification, neither the district nor the board sent those out” But Sue Booton was helping design the lit for the Say-yes group. |
| 2017_11_8 | Consent Agenda – Synergy Renewal and Bond Operating Principles
Policy – Email questions to superintendent prior to meeting who will respond to all board members – how is that open communications? Does it violate open meetings act?… board policies conflict |
| 2017_12_13 | Superintendent Contract
We have a spending problem – like a super star, with bonuses |
| 2018_1_17 | Performance Contracting
(How do you track operational expenditures? why raising fees again? A Board member said “fees raised to feel the pain because the referendum wasn’t passed”) |
| 2018_1_31 | (end-of-meeting) Budgeting & Forecasting |
| 2018_3_14 | Board Expenditure/HS Textbooks/Lease Agreement
(Harold read the floor debate from 2001 when the school code was changed to include the word “Lease” – referendum required to build. Harold said he thinks we need a new Jefferson, but we need to do it legally) |
| 2018_5_9 | Consent Agenda & WWEA Contract
(why is the dollar amount not on the agenda? Utilization report on laptops before we by more, WWEA new pay micro credentials… Contract is not a fair contract or win… how do you plan to pay for it all?) |
| 2018_6_1 | WNHS |
| 2018_7_11 | Policy 7.40 (Home school participating in extra-curricular), Personnel Report |
| 2018_10_10 | Accounts payable, Calendar Survey |
| 2018_12_12 | Sports fees |
Chris Crabtree
Chris was elected to the board in 2015. She spoke a couple of times prior to that
| 2013_9_11 | PTA Gifts |
| 2014_7_9 | Engage 200 |
| 2015_3_11 | New Special Needs PTA |
| 2015_4_29 | first meeting with Chris Crabtree as a board member |
| 2017_1_11 | Chris Crabtree (at 1:11:28) on the vote to place the 2017 $132 Million referendum on the ballot(praises “an authentic process” the Engage 200, she thinks the community was driving the process. See engage200-all-a-plan and engage200-aka-well-oiled-lachine) |
| 2018_5_9 | Chris Crabtree (at 1:42:25) comments on the collective Bargaining agreement for WWEA (teachers)
Chris Crabtree (2:02:20) pushed back on the High School Handbook – not user friendly. |
Susan Booton
Susan spoke 8 times:
| 2013_2_13 | Jefferson Referendum |
| 2013_9_11 | Jefferson |
| 2014_2_12 | Bond Issue “issuing a $10M bond is not a burden, it is a well investment… they are worth every single penny…” |
| 2016_4_13 | Master Facility Plan
“YES to all of it” The dashboard at our school is lit up like a Christmas tree… Oswego taxes are higher than Wheaton. What on Earth are we waiting for?” (comments made prior to 2017’s $132 million referendum |
| 2016_12_14 | Facility Master Plan
big supporter of the plan ($132Million referendum) Other districts spend more per student than Wheaton… willing to pay more. What is the plan B? If this fails what will be cut? |
| 2017_2_8 | Facility Master Plan
They are needs not wants – time for our community to step up |
| 2018_1_17 | Jefferson ECC
asks them to keep their eye on the ball and vote for Jefferson (build without referendum) |
| 2018_3_14 | New Early Childhood Center / Secure Entries
“please” build a new Jefferson |
Mary Yeboah & David Long
“Mary Yeboah,“ “Dave Long” and “David Long” were not found in any board minutes
December 14, 2016
Susan Booton (at 18:40) a big supporter of the plan ($132Million referendum) Other districts spend more per student than Wheaton… willing to pay more What is the plan B? If this fails what will be cut?
January 11, 2017
Jan Shaw (at 10:30 ) and Harold Lonks (at 15:23). Jan shaw – We need to cut spending first, lists several potential cuts. Harold spoke about the need to fund building maintenance continually and stop the spend/tax to the max policy.
Chris Crabtree (at 1:11:28) on the vote to place the 1017 $132 Million referendum (praises “an authentic process” the Engage 200, she thinks the community was driving the process. See engage200-all-a-plan and engage200-aka-well-oiled-lachine)
December 13, 2017
Harold Lonks (at 14:47) We have a spending problem – we are treating the Superintendent like a super star, with bonuses
March 14, 2018
Susan Booton (at 21:22) followed by Harold Lonks at 22:45. The district was looking to build without the legally required referendum. Susan Booton simply wants Jefferson built. Harold lists several items and then asks the district to make sure what they are planning is legal. “…This law that was passed back in 2001 was never meant to circumvent the obligation of a referendum for construction. So I hope the board has the courage to table the vote tonight get better legal counsel on whether or not lease certificate is actually legal… I do agree we need a new Jefferson. However, I do think we should be sure the direction we go is legally binding.”
Added 3/24/2019 in response to J Gregory Higgins comments.
And a screen shot from FaceBook during the $132 million 2017 referendum.
See: https://dupagewatchdog.org/2017/04/02/now-theyre-paid-for-now-theyre-not/
If you support a particular candidate like Harold, that’s more than enough reason for the rest of us not to do so.
Oh…just a follow up…who wrote your complaint you filed last year against Jefferson School that cost the Taxpayers over $125,000 in expenses and additional costs, not to mention added a year delay to the planned new school? Nope…we haven’t forgotten.
LikeLike
As I recall, most of that extra expense is going to Nicholas & Associates – because the construction will take longer this year. They broke ground in January – whereas had they build last year they planned to break ground in August. Never mind the amount of work has not really changed. And the foundation will not be poured until weather warms… And lets not forget this post. https://dupagewatchdog.org/2017/04/02/now-theyre-paid-for-now-theyre-not/
Greg, You claim to be lawyer, Yet you do not care what the law says. Doing it by referendum makes the construction legal. Now let’s see if they can keep their pomiss and not raise taxes.
LikeLike
Once again, your finance prowess and assessment of facts and law are truly unique. Obviously based on your deep finance and legal training and experience. Using your own posts as sources for materials, especially when they come from Dan Proft supported – even too wacky for the mainstream GOP- type sources is truly comical.
Fact: I keep asking who wrote the complaint you filed pro se. You never answer. But we both know it wasn’t written by you. That’s why you don’t answer. Whatever answer you give will put you in a bind. You would lose what little credibility you have publicly when everyone knows the truth. Your cover would be blown. Your continued failure to answer proves the point that your actions in this and all your other actions are not those of a taxpayer warrior fighting for justice but as a pawn for special interests and public school detractors.
The action by the Board as to JEEC was not illegal. Happy to debate that matter with you in public. But since you were trounced by a 72% vote in the referendum, that was quicker and less costly than fighting a lawsuit supported by Jeanne Ives, the Heartland Alliance, and Bruno.
Fact: Had your frivolous lawsuit supporting goals of others outside our District not been filed, our residents and students would now be using a new legally compliant, less costly and beneficial school. The current school costs more to maintain, heat, cool, run, etc. That costs the taxpayers money. Your action also caused the District to lose beneficial construction pricing (@ $125K, delay impact, legal fees, plus other costs). These are all reflected in discussions in Board meeting videos last Fall. Of course, you fail to show those videos on your site. But I was there. I asked. If any student is injured, any ADA or other similar lawsuit filed against the District, or other failures to support our children occur that would NOT have occurred had the new JEEC been built….that’s on you.
The reasonable majority of this community is not going to allow you to run unchallenged any longer in your “facts” and theories that affect our top 10 schools in the state .. and which are 78th out of 89th in District expenses (according to data provided by your friend Jeanne Ives at her last Town Hall).
Your candidate Harold Lonks doesn’t answer his emails, doesn’t have an active Facebook or Twitter presence (although he does have accounts), and based on his website wants to go back to paper and pencil and cursive writing as key components of his policies. LOL…very modern. I’m sure that focus will prepare our kids for the new world in which we live. But what do you care. Your kids and others like you already went through the school system on other peoples dime.
LikeLike
J. Gregory H…, more false assumptions. The people you mention had noting to do with the creation of the law suit that I filed in order to convince the school district that they needed to follow the law by going to referendum. If a district is allowed to build a new facility without asking the taxpayers and then can raise taxes to pay for it, without asking the taxpayers – we are in real trouble!
LikeLike
No assumptions Jan. That’s your MAGA, Trump-esque mantra. You don’t refute any of the facts presented, or answer any questions posed. You’re a pawn for others…and in chess, it would be wise to remember what happens to most pawns.
LikeLike
“MAGA, Trump-esque mantra” Are you suffering from Trump-derangement-syndrome? And what does Trump have to do with Wheaton-Warrenville Cusd 200?
As for Facts, FOIAs are facts.
Where did you get your law degree? And in what state are you licensed to practice?
LikeLike
No. No syndrome here. I’m just not a rabid follower of a documented liar, fraudster and misogynist……like some people. Your various arguments, conspiracies, and other postings follow a familiar pattern. It rolls downhill.
FOIA info once twisted and manipulated by your untrained and inexperienced finance mind…..is less than compelling.
Tell you what Jan…I’ll answer your questions if you answer mine. Let’s start with my oldest question: Who wrote the Complaint you filed last year?
LikeLike
Mr. Higgins, Do you think it is an appropriate use of taxpayer money that is to be spent on the education of the students of District 200 be spent on Costume Jewelry from Von Maur Department store? Or for the PR person to take 4 friends of hers to a Chamber of Commerce Fashion Show to the tune of $500.00? or to spend $200.00 on attending the 5K foodie fest in Geneva Il? or to take 8 other friends of hers to the Rotary Club Christmas Inn that cost us $900.00? Or to spend 2 nights at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Chicago for over $500.00 when she could drive, take a train or Uber or Cab??? These are real expenses. Not made up. No wonder, we have the second highest property taxes in the country. Would be interested in a response from you on these expenditures. And by the way, I have quite a number of pages that include her eating out at restaurants, etc,,,In fact, I have binders full of FOIA’s which contain wasteful spending of HARD EARNED Taxpayer money from the taxpayers of this school district for years. THIS IS WHY MANY TAXPAYERS DO NOT SUPPORT GIVING THIS DISTRICT ANY MORE MONEY. We are tired of the school district using children to extort money from the taxpayers that is going into their pockets. FACT – 70-80% of DIstrict funds goes to salary and benefits – We have much bloat at that Administration level – too many perks – not enough accountability – As is the case in many instances – They do not have a funding problem – they have a spending problem.. As is evidenced in the receipts received through FOIA.
LikeLike