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SECTION 2 - PAGE I - PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1«7 EDITORIALS Unemployment Issues When the Illii^ts General Assembly reconvenes Oct. 24, it should give top prior, ty to two important unemployment insurance issues that affect economic growth in this state. We urge passage of legislation to put Illinois in compliance with the Inderal U.I. law and avert heavy fines on Illinois businesses. A business could be fined as much as $174.60 per employee next January if the legislature fails to pass the federal U.I. compliance ame iments nding in H.236. (The penalties could cost a firm with twenty-five employees $4,365. Statewide, the cost to Illinois business is an estimated $600-$700 million, according to the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce). But the legislature must act immediately upon reconvening, for Nov. 10 is thr federal deadline for Illinois to certify to the U.S. Department of Labor that the state is in compliance. To do this, state legislation must have been passed, signed into law and delivered to the Labor department in Washington in time to allow review and certification by Nov. 10. I- addition, U.I. eligibility standards must be tightened in Illinois and the right to challenge questionable claims must be returned to the employer. This becomes even more critical because almost. a If million public employees will be eligible for U.I. benefits on January 1,1978. Such legislation is now pending in Springfield. Action on these two vital unemployment insurance issues is a must if we are to sustain and enhance economic growth in the state of Illinois. American Television ; The tragedy of American television is that it brings metropolitan standards of manners, morals and conduct into every rural and small-town living room. In the eyes of some, this is a good sophisticating process for the "hicks." But the process is far more complicated and complex than that. Rural and small-town community standards in America have long been different from those in the big cities. Vice, corruption, .degeneracy-despi'e denials from some urbanized spokesmen- have flourished in advanced stages in metropolitan centers. Commercial televiison, with all the best channels, takes its selling into almost every household-and its shows almost invariably follow in the Hollywood film, or New York stage, tradition-many times-poor traditions. The result is that, while mo6t Americans don't care to see them, they are deluged with violent, poor taste, "entertainment." There's probably little which can be done now to prevent city morals from flooding small-town and rural living rooms. The cost, unfortunately, is heavy. The ignorant and impressionable learn their manners, lifestyle and crime-style from today's glamorized, color television shows-and this is a factor in America's soaring crime rate. PUBLIC PULSE (The Plaindealer invites the public to use this column as an Expression of their view on subjects of general interest in our community. Our only request is that the writers give signature, full address and phone number. We ask too, that one individual not write on the same subject more than once each month. We reserve the right to deiete any material which we consider libelous or in objectionable taste.) REFERENDUM "Dear Editor, "Our decision on how to vote on the high school District 156 referendum Oct. 22 has been determined almost entirely by the actions of the school per­ sonnel most actively concerned with the financial crisis. Our decision was based on facts revealing that: ..."the Board of Education unanimously granted a 7.4 wage increase to its teachers just a month ago, Sept. 20,1977, at a time when the educational fund was showing a deficit of over $400,000. The referendum requests a tax levy specifically for that fund. If a teacher has a Nearly income of $15,000 and handles 5 1-hour classes during the average 200 days of the 9- month school year he-she earns approximately $15 an hour. ..."the teachers, in full knowledge of the perilous condition of finances at the institution they work for, requested the wage increase at a time when they were aware that the board would desperately need their support should a referendum be called for. ..."more than 50 percent of the teaching staff in the District 156 chose not to be McHenry homeowners and therefore an increase in taxes would not affect them and would only benefit their salaries. "A summary of the facts seems to indicate that dedication to the purpose of providing quality education for our children has taken second place to personal money priorities I am aware that among school personnel there For Your Information Dear friende. Where to hold funeral wrvlcn is a matter which must be decided by the family. If tervlcei or* to bo hold in a church, bo advised that wo aro familiar with tho procedures and rituals ol tho various denominations and aro equipped to servo in any church dosignatod. Rospoctfully, PETER MJUSTEN & SON FUNERAL HOME McHenry, Illinois 385-0063 SAMPLE BALLOT 1. PROPOSITION TO INCREASE EDUCATIONAL TAX RATE (INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: Place a cross (X) in the square to the right of the word indicating the way you desire to vote.) Shall the annual tax rate for educational - purposes > of Community High School D&trict Number 156, McHenry County, Illinois, be increased from 1.32 percent to 1.72 percent upon all the taxable property in the district at the value as equalized or assessed by the Department of Local Government Affairs? 2. PROPOSITION TO INCREASE OPERATIONS, BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE TAX RATE. (INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: Place a cross (X) in »the square to the right of the word indicating the way you desire to vote.) Shall the annual tax rate for operations, building and maintenance purposes of Community High School District Number 156, McHenry County, Illinois, be increased from .25 percent to .40 percent upon all the taxable property in the district at the value as equalized or assessed by the Department of Local Government Affairs? HERE ARE THE FACTS! Why Does The High School District Need A Tax Rale Increase?- When Johnsburg voters created a new high school for their own high school students (approximately 560), they also created two major financial problems for McHenry high school: 1) McHenry high school was required by law to provide Johnsburg a portion of its assets which came to $2.1 million. • 2) With the loss of approximately 560 students, our school will also fall short by over $1.15 million each year in which to operate the school. With The Loss of 560 Students Can The Budget Be Cut? Yes. Thirty to thirty-five teachers will be cut, saving approximately $400,000. In addition, the board of education has already cut $400,000 from the budget (programs, staff, and operation costs) for a total of $800,000 in cuts. That still leaves the high school $350,000 short each year. What Are Possible Solutions To The Problem? The board of education has few choices: 1) Blake more cuts and completely destroy the present educational quality of McHenry high school. 2) Increase the high school's debt by $350,000 each year. 3) Increase the tax rate. What Cuts Have Already Been Made By The Board Of Education? Aides and Secretaries-reduce $ 50,000.00 Alternative School - No District Funding 37,500.00 Athletics - reduce 15,000.00 Bookbills - increase 20,000.00 Cafeteria Staff - reduce 3,000.00 Central Administration Costs - reduce 2,000.00 Coaches Travel-reduce 500.00 Course Range for East Campus Students - reduce 10,000.00 Counselors and Asst. Principals - reduce 50,000.00 Custodians-eliminate two positions 14,000.00 Energy Conservation 20,000.00 Extended Contract costs - reduce 7,500.00 Extra-Curricular Programs - reduce 4,000.00 Gifted Program - eliminate 1,000.00 Instructional Budget - reduce 40,000.00 Laundry Services - eliminate 13,000.00 Maintenance Person - reduce by one 12,000.00 Media Specialist-eliminate 12,000.00 Nurse - reduce to % time 5,500.00 Part-time Administrators • teaching load increased \ Professional Travel - reduce Psychologist - eliminate 10,000.00 5,000.00 14,000.00 4,000.00 55,000.00 Scheduling and Grade Reporting - reduce Teaching Assignments - increase What Solution Is Best? The board of education thinks there is no other choice than to ask the voters for a tax rate increase. Will Any Of tffie Money You Get From The Passage Of A Tax Rate Increase Be Used For New Building^ Or Additions To Existing Buildings? No! The money will be used to operate the school only. Has An Independent Group Of Citizens Examined This Situation And Concluded That A Tax Rate InereasaffThe Solution? \.;i , . Yes. A group of thirty-three citizens has worked since February to identify and recommend cuts to be made. Their recommendations resulted in the board of education cutting $400,000 from the budget. What Happens If The High School Referendum Does Not Pass? $350,000 in additional cuts must be made in programs. Such cuts could possibly include: 1) Further cut programs and courses for students 2) Overcrowd classrooms 3) Eliminate all athletics 4) Eliminate all extra-curricular programs including clubs, music, drama and debate 5) Eliminate community-school activities such as swimming and summer recreation 6) Further reduce instructional budget 7) Further reduce custodial staff THE SOLUTION? The needs of the high school district are critical. The tax rate increase is absolutely necessary if we are not going to seriously hurt our schools, children, and community. All studies indicate that severe cuts must be made if the tax rate increase is not approved. (The above facts were submitted to the Plaindealer by High School District 156) are those who are most sin­ cerely interested in our children's educational welfare but they, apparently, are too few.' "The voter must decide whether an affirmative vote will reverse the priorities of the people handling our schools financial budget." "Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Sagers "McHenry Taxpayers" Referendum Thoughts Editor: t "When the high school board of education first announced that it would hold a referendum for a tax increase this coming Saturday, the board, ad­ ministrators, and faculty promised that the fight to raise our taxes would be above board. "That is a nice-sounding promise, but as the workers for the referendum have found out, it is a promise that is hard to keep. "Certainly, some of the questionable decisions that have been made in recent months can be excused as bad judgment by overzealous workers. "There is no doubt in my mind that the school district needs the money. However, in recent months actions have been taken which raise serious doubts in my mind as to whether or not the district DESERVES to get their tax increase at this time. "For example, the board of education recently voted unanimously to grant the entire faculty a 7.4 percent pay in­ crease for this year. The board granted the pay increase while, at the same time, it is telling the public that it has no money. Sounds like a contradiction to me. "I definitely don't blame the teachers for asking for the pay increase. Any worker who feels he deserves a pay increase, whether it be a merit raise or a cost-of-living raise, would be foolish not to ask for it. "But I can't comprehend how the board can unanimously agree to the increase when it claims it has no money. In most jobs, when management has no money, they don't give pay increases. With the school district, they are in the unique position of being able to PROVE that they don't have any money. So what do they do? Grant the pay increase, what else? "There are other things which the board of education has done wrong, in my opinion. All along, the board has been talking of the problem in terms of two distinct issues: one being the loss of revenue with the Johnsburg students leaving, and the other being what to do with the facilities (East and West campus) next year. Well board, what are you going to do with the facilities? You haven't said. The Task Force deter­ mined that $100,000 could be saved in operational costs by closing East campus. To me, that means that by going to double shifts at West, the cost of the tax increase could be reduced by ten cents. I'm not arguing that double shifts are good. My point is that I can't understand how a dollar amount can be determined for a referendum without knowing what the educational system is going to be like next year. Certainly, closing a portion of East campus would save in operational dollars. Why wasn't a determination made on use of facilities before the amount of a referendum was set? I am concerned that, should the referendum pass, the board might decide that double shifts at West campus is the best way to go, thereby, in my mind, creating a $100,000 surplus. Where will the money go? "Will it go toward eliminating a portion of the huge debt the district already has? Or, will it go toward the hiring of more counselors and assistant principals? "For the record, this very school year, while the board claims it has no money, the board still employs eight counselors as well as assistant principals and principals. "The board of education claims to have already cut $375,000 from the budget. That's what they say. Take a look around the school. The money is still being spent. The $375,000 has been cut from .NEXT YEAR'S budget. "The board has not indicated that any cuts have been made this year. In fact, they appear to be going the other way-- me when I heard the board grant pay increases to coaches of all sports for this year. At a time when financial problems have resulted in $15,000 being cut from next year's athletic budget, how can pay increases be granted in the coaches? Remember, the sports are for the kids. If there was extra money to be spent in the athletic budget (and ap­ parently there was because the coaches got a raise), then why not create more opportunities for students to participate? "Confusion also surrounds the status of the entire athletic program next year. Contrary to what has been said and printed, no one in authority has said that athletics will be eliminated next year if the referendum doesn't pass. I don't know if they will or not. My point is, no one else does either. Un­ fortunately, a brochure which has been distributed by the school, inplies that there will be no athletics next year unless the referendum passes. At a school assembly, the students were told that athletics would be eliminated next year should the taxpayers vote no. At this time, that isn't true. "There are many other in­ cidents which have aroused my anger in recent months. However, space doesn't permit the mention of them all. _ "I can't forget however, what occurred at last Friday night's homecoming football game. It was a spectacular event, with colorful, imaginative floats, an excellent performance by the marching band and pompom squad, and a gallant, albeit losing, effort by the football team. ' "Unfortunately, some school officials apparently believed that the homecoming weekend wasn't good enough to stand on its own merit. Instead, the fans were bombarded with referendum propaganda throughout the evening. "Don't school officials realize that homecoming was a perfect example of the good things that our students are doing? Homecoming was good enough to stand by itself, please, next time, leave it alone. "For all of these, and many other reasons, I am questioning Workshop On Prayer Slated At Marian High The McHenry County Board of Catholic Education will spdnsor a workshop on Prayer Saturday, Oct. 22, at Marian Central Catholic high school, Woodstock, from 9:30a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The workshop, en­ titled "Lord Teach Us To Pray", will be conducted by Sister Julie Wechwerth, CSSF, of the Chicago Archdiocesan vocation staff. s The various topics which will be presented during the course of the day are: 1) Prayerscape: a Mini-Journey into the Prayer Life of the Contemporary Christian; 2) Prayer Kaleidescope: Experiences how deserving the school district is of my 4yes' vote this coming Saturday, just as I question how deserving the school district is of your 'yes' vote Saturday. When I consider all of the above facts, and remember that the proposed tax increase for1 a home with an assessed valuation of $20,000 is about $100, I feel that, at this time, even though I know the district needs the money, that the only way I can vote Saturday is 'no'. Jeff Bonato McHenry school district taxpayer Adults Can Use to Pray Alone and in Community; 3) Spiritual Readiness of Children and Prayer Styles; and 4) Practical Ideas, Techniques, and Audio- Visuals for Implementing Prayer in the Home and Classroom. In addition to the presen­ tations, there will be group interaction and a book display. For more information call the board office 338-8444. All are welcome, including parents, teachers, interested adults and teenagers. WHAT'S NEW A personal-sized calcula­ tor housed inside alumi­ num barrel of a precision writing pen. Has 8 digits, floating decimal, constant and percent keys, 6 3/8 inch long X 9/16 inch di­ ameter. 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