Parents, residents invited
to be involved with D181

Recently, there has been a great deal of discussion regarding the future of our schools. Our board embraces discussion, community involvement and participation at our meetings.

As we all know, circumstances in any organization are always changing. Certainly, in the last year, the economic situation has changed the circumstances of many organizations around the world.

District 181 is a fairly large organization, with 4,000 students, nine schools, 600 employees and a $55 million budget, and we are always faced with new issues. However, our mission “to be a school district where all children experience success and exhibit excellence” never changes. I would like to thank our outstanding staff for what they do for our students daily.

Your board is working to ensure that we continue to provide outstanding education to our children. We are all proud of our recent achievements: Three of our schools selected out of 314 nationally for the Department of Education 2009 Blue Ribbon Award, all of our schools on the Illinois Honor Roll and the accomplishments we see in our children as they attend school every day. These achievements are consistent with our legacy and our future plans.

As a board, we recently discussed strategic planning, goals and values. In the coming months, we will engage in long-term planning, including the evaluation of changes to manage our resources. All of these discussions have occurred in open meetings at the committee or board level.

As an outcome of these early discussions, our administration is researching a variety of alternatives. We have not made, and will not make, any decisions until we complete the research.

In the comments we have received, it is heartening to hear that so many residents are pleased with the education of their children and the performance of our schools. Our superintendent search firm recently completed discussions with many community members and groups.

We are very pleased to hear the positive opinions of our district’s performance by so many of our residents. I encourage you to be involved, be informed and participate with us as we plan for the future of our district.

Marc Monyek, president, Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education
 

Nationwide cell-phone
ban while driving needed

At one time, or another, the majority of U.S. citizens have taken part in a dangerous activity: Talking on a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

Some states and several U.S. cities, including Chicago, have passed laws banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. Even with the laws that have been passed over the last few years, the number of motorists still using their phones while driving appears to be climbing. The act of engaging in a conversation on a mobile device while driving, even in low population areas of the country, distracts the driver and is a danger to both the driver and others.

It is my opinion that banning only hand-held cell phones in limited areas is not enough. A ban of all cell-phone use while driving should be nationwide since studies have shown that a driver is just as likely to get into an accident while using a hands-free device.

Whether searching for the phone, dialing or talking on the phone, the driver’s attention is taken away from where it should be, on the road. Anytime a driver is distracted, the possibility of an accident occurring is increased.

A nationwide cell-phone ban could have helped prevent a near fatal accident involving my aunt and a motorist searching for her ringing cell phone.

My aunt was one of the lucky ones. Each year, thousands of people suffer from debilitating or fatal injuries as a result of careless drivers using their cell phones.

The suffering of these victims was unnecessary, and many could have been prevented had a nationwide cell-phone ban been instituted at an earlier date. Having the law in effect will not guarantee compliance by all, but it will hopefully deter many from using their cell phones while driving.

Andrew Bondlow, Willowbrook