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District 39 Responds to Lawsuit
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Dear District 39 Community, Your Partner in Education,
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MEDIA RELEASE |
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DISTRICT 39 DISAPPOINTED WITH FILING OF MERITLESS LAWSUIT(Wilmette, IL…) District 39 received notice yesterday that Wilmette citizen Herb Sorock and Taxpayers United of America have filed a lawsuit against the District and its Board members alleging that the language on the ballot in the recent referendum misled voters. This is a frivolous lawsuit that has no foundation in fact and will only waste taxpayer money as the District and the Board must defend themselves. The allegation that the District misled voters has no merit. Board of Education President Karen Donnan addressed this issue. “It is unfortunate that Mr. Sorock finds the need to challenge a referendum that was approved by voters by a significant majority. The language used in the ballot was required by statute, and the District took every additional opportunity to simply and directly communicate the factual impact of the referendum on the taxpayer as an increase in property taxes paid. In fact, the Board approved the amended levy at its meeting last night; it requests exactly $43,933,588, which is $58 more per $1000 of property taxes paid than if the referendum had not passed, exactly what the District said in all of its communications leading up to the April 5th vote. And, it is less than the amount authorized by the voters, as was promised by the Board, first in a letter of intent and then in a resolution. It is unfortunate that we must now expend valuable time and money that should be used for the benefit of our students.” The District followed legal advice in writing the ballot, which complied with the law as it is written. The statute specifies that the ballot language does not include the equalizer. Furthermore, the District was fully transparent throughout the process, providing further explanation through a news release, the District website, at Board of Education meetings, to the local media, and in print and electronic communications that were disseminated to the community. Wilmette Public Schools District 39 • 615 Locust Road • Wilmette, IL 60091 • 847-256-2450
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