When I became a Mom, my world, and life, as I knew it simply halted-as I’m sure was the experience for many Moms out there as well. I remember that moment so clearly I looked into my son’s eyes for the first time in the hospital. I whispered to him, and myself, that I was forever to be his protector, his confidant, his tour guide in this crazy thing called life. His Mom. Since becoming a Mom, I have developed a deep appreciation for Moms-everywhere. It really is such a balancing act. Whether you work, or you stay home, or you do a little of both-the demands aren’t any less whichever …

Editor's note: Letters to the Editor are presented as they are originally submitted by our readers. Palatine Patch neither agrees nor disagrees with the opinions presented. Last weekend, I was speaking with a D15 teacher.  She indicated to me that she had been told that her CTC intended to threaten legal action in order to ensure that they got their way in regard to the Late Start / Early Release topic.  She further indicated to me that the CTC was confident the threat of litigation would back the Board of Education and Superintendent's Office into a position where they would chose to simply …

Editor's note: Letters to the Editor are presented as they are originally submitted by our readers. Palatine Patch neither agrees nor disagrees with the opinions presented.  My wife and I bought our first home in Palatine Township a little over 5 years ago, and God willing we will raise our family here in the years to come.  I think it is important to be active in the community so I have volunteered with the Palatine Township Republican Organization for the last 3 years and most recently several other community organizations. In doing so I have had the chance to speak to hundreds of township…

Editor's note: Letters to the Editor are presented as they are originally submitted by our readers. Palatine Patch neither agrees nor disagrees with the opinions presented.  My name is Krish Revuluri. I have been living in palatine since 1979. My two children got a good education in district 15. In return, I have been volunteering in schools for preparing children with MATHCOUNTS program with very high rate of success. I want to express my opinion about upcoming elections for school district #15. Community Consolidated School District 15 is a highly successful school district. Our school …

Editor's note: Letters to the Editor are presented as they are originally submitted by our readers. Palatine Patch neither agrees nor disagrees with the opinions presented.  Two years ago the CCSD15 School Board election was mainly about finances. As you may recall, all three incumbents running then were replaced by three new members. The new board has since made great strides in getting the district's financial house in order while holding the line on taxes. This time around a main election issue concerns balancing the need of teachers to increase their professional development with its …

Editor's note: Letters to the Editor are presented as they are originally submitted by our readers. Palatine Patch neither agrees nor disagrees with the opinions presented.  I am writing today to endorse Kevin McGrane and Bill Pohlman for Palatine Township Trustee in the April 9th election. Both gentlemen will bring new energy to the board. They’ve demonstrated their commitment to the voters by reaching out to residents on a door-to-door basis for the last 11 weeks. Further both have endorsed the goals of the Doing Things Better for Palatine Township slate;  1) Saving 5% of Township expenses…

Editor's note: Letters to the Editor are presented as they are originally submitted by our readers. Palatine Patch neither agrees nor disagrees with the opinions presented.  I have been heavily involved and closely watching the potential outcome of the Late Start / Early Release debate.  I have been very pleased at the level of conversation between the Board of Education, the Superintendent's Office and the families who are the stakeholders in this issue.   The last remaining action is for the current Board of Education to vote on Early Release Friday, Late Start Monday or Late Start …

Dear Community Members, Election Day is around the corner on April 9th. Will you vote? Voter turnout was 16% two years ago for an election that directly affects you: Taxpayer? 63% of your property taxes go to District 15 and District 211 schools Parent? Board decisions directly affect your children's education Current examples of District 15 School Board decisions: Late Start or Early Dismissal: Provide weekly professional development time for teachers by starting school 50 minutes later on Monday or Wednesday? Or dismissing 50 minutes early on Friday? Class Sizes vs. Taxes: Increase class …

With four seats up for grabs at Community Consolidated School District 15 on April 9th and nine member of the community vying for the seats, how are voters supposed to determine which of the candidates will best serve the District and its students.  With three incumbents and a former Board member in the chase, we would be wise to review their record on critical issues they faced over the past three years.  After all it is actions and not words or good intentions that are the measure of success.  Two of the current Board members and one former Board member say they subscribe to a policy of …

My name is Sue Quinn, and I’m a former District 15 School Board Member. Having served my community for four years and been a parent in the district for nine, I know the quality, temper, and dedication of our school board members makes a difference in the financial health and educational excellence of our schools. I’m endorsing Jennifer Zold, Donna Johnson, and Matt Lyons for the District 15 School Board in the upcoming April 9th election. All three are non-incumbents to the school board, just as I was when I first ran. They have qualities that make for great school board members: financial …

Before tomorrow's Palatine Township primary, it's critical the community is aware of a certain piece of information. Before I begin, I want to start by saying I have never understood why the Palatine Township Trustees are paid for their duties. Why is that a paid position? They meet monthly, just like the District 15 and District 211 Boards of Education. However, being on a Board of Ed is an unpaid volunteer position. Why the difference?  One could easily argue a Board of Education position has significantly more responsibility, more stress, more visibility, a larger time commitment, and more…

"Why I Support Sharon Langlotz-Johnson for Palatine Township Supervisor"     Like many people I have watched the going-on's in government with varying degrees of bemusement, bafflement and growing outrage. Nationally and locally, so many of our elected officials fail to understand that government's purpose is to serve its constituents in a fiscally responsible manner, while also providing for the more fragile members of our community. Many officials become career policiticians, doing no more than is necessary to ensure their re-election. I am writing in support of Sharon Langlotz-Johnson, a …

In response to NBC-TV news story “Many Suburban Cops Allowed to Work Half Drunk” which aired on local news February 14, 2013. The Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) finds it utterly unacceptable that any police agency would knowingly allow their officers to report to work with any level of alcohol in their system. We feel that departments that have a written clause in their union contracts that have an allowable illegal BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of 0.08 with any blood alcohol content and permit officers to report for duty should rethink their policy. According to the Center…

I am sitting here disgusted having just been told of the elected officials, appointed administrators and chosen decision making committee members who will NOT be attending the ONLY Community Communication Forum scheduled by the District 15 Board of Education and the Superintendent's Office to discuss the controversial Late Start/Early Release Program proposed for all District 15 grammar and middle schools for next year.   As concerned parents, we have been told that we need to show "overwhelming community opposition" at the Forum on Saturday, January 26th in order to have a voice in this …

Dear District 15 Parents and Community Members, The recent and unexpected disclosure that the District 15 school board is taking bids to outsource its drivers and bus aides has left many in our community feeling stressed, upset and even victimized. I certainly feel that way. I know many of you do, too. Our drivers and aides live here, work here and devote their working lives to the students. We know that no private company in the world will ever match the safe and reliable service our employees bring to the children every day. They can't do it. They won't do it. Bid proposals submitted by …

I would like to take a moment to keep you up to date as to the activity in District 15 in regard to the proposed "Wednesday Late Start Program".   A number of local parents have commenced a call and letter writing campaign on this topic.  Many parents are quite upset about this and feel that Scott Thompson has not represented the parents and children in this issue but has simply chosen the easy route in doing whatever the teachers' union wanted with no input from stakeholders or communication as to the motivation behind the decision.   Following repeated requests for an opportunity to voice …