Source: Illinois State Board of Education Report Card
As dads with children in Lake Forest's public schools, we want the best for our kids, just like you. However, year after year, Lake Forest school boards have prioritized taxing to the maximum allowed by law—this year, 3.1% for District 115 and 3.96% for District 67—without aligning spending with what truly benefits students.
This backward approach—tax first, then budget—has led to growing administrative bloat. Budgets increasingly serve adults who never step into a classroom, while fewer resources are directed toward students. These tax levies come on top of the $106 million bond referendum passed last year by District 115, further increasing the financial burden on taxpayers. Despite this escalating tax load, academic outcomes haven't improved. Taxpayers deserve a clear return on investment tied to measurable results, but that's simply not happening.
Take Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Hermes. She focuses on maximizing revenue rather than ensuring efficient, student-centered spending. Lake Forest deserves leaders who prioritize the highest academic outcomes—achieved responsibly and efficiently—not just growing budgets.
Ours is an exceptional community, and our schools benefit from engaged parents, hardworking students, and dedicated teachers. But let's not fool ourselves: our schools' success is not because of administrative brilliance. Taxpayers should expect higher spending to result in better academic outcomes, but there is no apparent connection between the ever-increasing tax burden and improvements for our students.
The District 67 school board will meet on December 17th, and District 115 will meet on December 10th to vote on another maximum taxpayer levy, further increasing the property tax burden. Consider reaching out to a board member, encouraging them to represent the taxpayers by challenging Jennifer Hermes's bureaucratic drain on taxpayers at the expense of students.
Comments