McHenry County Blog

Former District 300 Board member was out of the country on his new job when I emailed him asking what he thought his accomplishments were.

Interestingly, he did not mention getting elected as a Home School Dad. In 2007, he was one of two McHenry County Home School Dad’s to win a school board seat.

The other was John O’Neill, now a candidate for state representative against veteran incumbent Democrat Jack Franks.

Ryan got more votes than any of the other eight candidates when he ran for the Carpentersville School Board. He defeated incumbent School Board President Mary Fioretti.

I asked him to reflect on his accomplishments. Here’s his reply:

John Ryan

“As you may recall, my campaign was based upon a pledge of both fiscal and ethical accountability and transparency.

“To that end, there are several accomplishments I have particularly strong feelings about.

“I am very pleased that I was able to disprove the image of me that was portrayed by my adversaries and earn the trust of my colleagues, administration and staff of D300.

“Through my conduct, I believe I was able to show all of them that just because someone aspires to a high standard, and as such will occasionally disagree with group think, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re an enemy.

“Just the opposite – often times you’re the voice of reason and conscience.

“While it has often been referred to as ‘pay to play,’  I think ‘conflict of interest’ describes the policy more accurately.

“Besides the practical benefits of its implementation, such a policy sends a strong message in regard to the values a Board hold important.  I am proud that I didn’t give up on it after it was defeated the first time around, and of the collaborative approach used to get it ultimately approved.

“The degree of opposition by a key administrator both times around was initially stunning and proved quite revealing in regard to how entrenched and pervasive the ‘me first’ attitude of educrats really is.

“I am proud of the tasks accomplished under my watch as Chair of the Policy & Legislative as well as the Construction and Facilities Oversight Committees.

“In particular, strengthening D300′s policies on

• bullying, harassment and intimidation;
• authoring the cash reserve policy that saved taxpayers $2,000,000 by producing a 5-tier increase in D300′s credit ratings;
• developing specific protocols for construction change orders (a good topic for an in depth investigative article would be an audit of the referendum projects before these guides were in place);
• implementation of a FOIA policy which proactively posts the D300 ‘checkbook,’
• BOE meeting packets and FOIA responses online; as well as
• working with our local legislators to get a common sense ADA implementation bill signed into law (and subsequently being appointed to the C(aptial) D(evelopment) B(oard)’s ADA Task Force as a result).

“Lastly, although my role was minor,  I am pleased that my efforts as Vice Chair of the Finance Committee played a role in implementing the ‘Educational Program Review Technique’ (EPRT) process that was the foundation for eliminating D300′s $27M deficit in two years. (Credit must be given to Dr. (Cheryl) Crates for initiating the process).”

I next asked Ryan to reflect on his activity in the successful referendums passed by District 300:

“I strongly opposed the referendum – specifically the lack of fiscal discipline, integrity and transparency that necessitated it in the first place.

“Even more so, I stood opposed to the less than forthright tactics used by its proponents to secure its passage.  The same is true for the questionable interpretation of the Open Meetings Act and the post-referendum bonus paid to Dr. (Ken) Arndt by the preceding Board.

“I made one thing clear upon my inauguration though – what was done was done.  It passed and as such, I took it as my responsibility to ensure its promises were kept.”

And, Ryan has a final word:

“In closing, I guess the end of my resignation letter sums it up best.

“I will be eternally grateful to those who placed their confidence and trust in me; and I depart knowing I can honestly say ‘promises kept!’”

The difference could not be much more stark.

And the trend of having those with connections to school districts on area boards continues.

John Ryan

In 2007 home school Dad and referendum opponent John Ryan won an upset victory, defeating school board member Mary Fioretti. After her defeat, the former Bill LeFew-appointed Republican precinct committeeman (Algonquin 63, according to the 200708 County Yearbook) had a front yard sign for Barack Obama.

Ryan, who successfully championed rules to limit what in Illinois is called “pay-to-play” campaign contributions to tax hike committees like Advance 300, recently resigned he took a job which would make meeting attendance difficult.

Karen Plaza

Striking is the support for more government taxes reported in the Daily Herald of Karen Plaza, selected by remaining board members to fill Ryan’s seat.

Eight times from 1998-2007, she worked on tax hike committees like Advance 300.

On the plus side is that she has a working knowledge of school finance. She was the one selected to plug the extracurricular activities funding hole (“the (money) has been stolen,” was in Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates’ 7-8-6 memo on the subject) discovered in District 300. Next, she worked for an out-of-area school district before being hired as Crystal Lake District 47′s Director of Finance.

The new school board member’s husband is Lake in the Hill Village President Ed Plaza.

I didn’t know that writing that a tax levy is designed to make certain that a tax district would get the maximum it could from property taxpayers’ pockets would be such a startling concept.

In his comment on my article yesterday, Carpentersville School District 300 board member John Ryan makes that very point in his first paragraph (his entire comment is published at the bottom of this post to give it more prominence than it would receive as a comment):

“Because we have no way of knowing what our actual tax receipts will be, we are put in the unenviable position of having to ask for an amount much higher than needed to ensure we will not fall short of budget expectancies.”

Overlevying has been part of the property tax process since well before I collected taxes in 1967 as McHenry County Treasurer.

The reason is that people running most tax districts think their role in life requires they extract every dollar from your check book to which they are legally entitled…for the common good, as they define it, of course. They don’t put it that crassly, of course.

In my article yesterday, I tried to put in perspective the black-bordered notice (which you can click below to enlarge) District 300 published which stated that next year the District 300 levy would be 38.64% higher than this year’s.

(The meeting, by the way, is next Monday night at 7:30 at Neubert Elementary School at 1100 Huntington Drive in Algonquin. I would not encourage you to attend unless you are a masochist. At such meetings I have attended, the trustees have sat and listened to anything people say, but haven’t answered any questions. A pretty unsatisfying situation, if you are expecting a dialogue.)

I was trying to point out that there was no way District 300 tax bills could increase by over one-third.

Next, Ryan uses the argument that I have seen consistently used by tax districts since the tax cap went into effect:

“Had you bothered to check D300′s actual proposed budget for 2009-2010, you would have found we are actually forecasting a slight DECREASE in our tax rate for the next academic year.”

That sounds good, but it doesn’t mean much.

Since the tax cap, the rate has not been the thing to watch.

In fact, I have a hard time thinking of a condition, except prolonged deflation and voter approval of higher tax rates or bonds, which would result in a higher tax rate.

That’s because the tax rate is a balancing number.

If assessments go up faster than the Consumer Price Index, then the tax rate must go down.

So a falling tax rate is not a reason to praise a tax district.

It’s a function of real estate assessed value having increased more than the Consumer Price Index.

The number to watch is the extension. That is the amount the county clerk tells the county treasurer to collect.

The extension determines the amount of taxes to be pried out of our pockets.

Assuming that a tax district wants to maximize its income from us property taxpayers next year, a district needs to levy enough to make certain that its extension is what it got last year, plus the increase in the Consumer Price Index, which was 4.1% last year.

Below is John Ryan’s blog comment that launched this article. In it he accurately notes that I misread the permissive nature of the request to call Cheryl Crates, if one wanted to attend the hearing. I noted that mistake under yesterday’s article.

Cal,

It is most disappointing that I once again find myself in a position of having to correct yet another inaccurate story regarding District 300. As you are undoubtedly aware considering your long tenure in these matters, based upon current law in Illinois (and silly as it may seem), public entities that rely on property tax revenue must declare their requested levy prior to actual EAV’s being released. Because we have no way of knowing what our actual tax receipts will be, we are put in the unenviable position of having to ask for an amount much higher than needed to ensure we will not fall short of budget expectancies. Had you bothered to check D300′s actual proposed budget for 2009-2010, you would have found we are actually forecasting a slight DECREASE in our tax rate for the next academic year.

You also asserted that anyone wishing to speak on the matter at the upcoming BOE meeting “MUST” contact Dr. Crates prior to the meeting in order to be allowed to do so. That also is incorrect – if you would have read the notice carefully, you will see it reads “MAY”, and was intended to provide a knowledgeable point of reference in case any questions arise.

What is most disheartening to me is that, in the correspondence we have shared since the publication of your first post last week, you assured me that you would publish an article featuring my repudiation of the falsehoods contained in that post. You also promised that you would afford me the courtesy of checking with me if anything that seemed unusual regarding D300 caught your attention prior to future publications in order to offer a balanced perspective.

Imagine my surprise then, when I read your latest post this morning. Although it genuinely pains me to have to say so, because you have chosen to once again rely on misleading information, lack of diligent verification, sensationalism in your inference to a clandestine plan for another referendum and in reneging on your word to me, serious doubts are now raised in regard to both your personal and the McHenry County Blog’s credibility and integrity. Surely, in your tenure as a state and county official, there were times when the press chose “not to let the facts get in the way of a good story”, so to speak, in their portrayal of you. Such actions on your part now, therefore, can be viewed as nothing short of hypocritical.

For example, where was a story about multi-year budget projections showing balanced budgets for D300 into the future? Where was a story on how D300 saved our taxpayers over $2 million in the recent bond sale because of the unprecedented 5-tier increase in our credit rating due to the fiscal disciplines that have been instituted? Residents of D300 can be assured that BOE campaign pledges and D300 Strategic Plan objectives of transparency and accountability are being fulfilled.
It certainly is not my intention to engage in an ongoing and escalating war of words with you. I am compelled though, to respond to unprovoked and false accusations – especially in light of our recent discourse. I will put an end to this by simply stating a wish that you remain true to your word I look forward to a balanced perspective in the future.

Sincerely,
John Ryan
Board Member
CUSD 300

More on the Thanksgiving Week comment Ryan refers to above, which I promised I would feature in an article, in a while.

I didn’t know that writing that a tax levy is designed to make certain that a tax district would get the maximum it could from property taxpayers’ pockets would be such a startling concept.

In his comment on my article yesterday, Carpentersville School District 300 board member John Ryan makes that very point in his first paragraph (his entire comment is published at the bottom of this post to give it more prominence than it would receive as a comment):

“Because we have no way of knowing what our actual tax receipts will be, we are put in the unenviable position of having to ask for an amount much higher than needed to ensure we will not fall short of budget expectancies.”

Overlevying has been part of the property tax process since well before I collected taxes in 1967 as McHenry County Treasurer.

The reason is that people running most tax districts think their role in life requires they extract every dollar from your check book to which they are legally entitled…for the common good, as they define it, of course. They don’t put it that crassly, of course.

In my article yesterday, I tried to put in perspective the black-bordered notice (which you can click below to enlarge) District 300 published which stated that next year the District 300 levy would be 38.64% higher than this year’s.

(The meeting, by the way, is next Monday night at 7:30 at Neubert Elementary School at 1100 Huntington Drive in Algonquin. I would not encourage you to attend unless you are a masochist. At such meetings I have attended, the trustees have sat and listened to anything people say, but haven’t answered any questions. A pretty unsatisfying situation, if you are expecting a dialogue.)

I was trying to point out that there was no way District 300 tax bills could increase by over one-third.

Next, Ryan uses the argument that I have seen consistently used by tax districts since the tax cap went into effect:

“Had you bothered to check D300′s actual proposed budget for 2009-2010, you would have found we are actually forecasting a slight DECREASE in our tax rate for the next academic year.”

That sounds good, but it doesn’t mean much.

Since the tax cap, the rate has not been the thing to watch.

In fact, I have a hard time thinking of a condition, except prolonged deflation and voter approval of higher tax rates or bonds, which would result in a higher tax rate.

That’s because the tax rate is a balancing number.

If assessments go up faster than the Consumer Price Index, then the tax rate must go down.

So a falling tax rate is not a reason to praise a tax district.

It’s a function of real estate assessed value having increased more than the Consumer Price Index.

The number to watch is the extension. That is the amount the county clerk tells the county treasurer to collect.

The extension determines the amount of taxes to be pried out of our pockets.

Assuming that a tax district wants to maximize its income from us property taxpayers next year, a district needs to levy enough to make certain that its extension is what it got last year, plus the increase in the Consumer Price Index, which was 4.1% last year.

Below is John Ryan’s blog comment that launched this article. In it he accurately notes that I misread the permissive nature of the request to call Cheryl Crates, if one wanted to attend the hearing. I noted that mistake under yesterday’s article.

Cal,

It is most disappointing that I once again find myself in a position of having to correct yet another inaccurate story regarding District 300. As you are undoubtedly aware considering your long tenure in these matters, based upon current law in Illinois (and silly as it may seem), public entities that rely on property tax revenue must declare their requested levy prior to actual EAV’s being released. Because we have no way of knowing what our actual tax receipts will be, we are put in the unenviable position of having to ask for an amount much higher than needed to ensure we will not fall short of budget expectancies. Had you bothered to check D300′s actual proposed budget for 2009-2010, you would have found we are actually forecasting a slight DECREASE in our tax rate for the next academic year.

You also asserted that anyone wishing to speak on the matter at the upcoming BOE meeting “MUST” contact Dr. Crates prior to the meeting in order to be allowed to do so. That also is incorrect – if you would have read the notice carefully, you will see it reads “MAY”, and was intended to provide a knowledgeable point of reference in case any questions arise.

What is most disheartening to me is that, in the correspondence we have shared since the publication of your first post last week, you assured me that you would publish an article featuring my repudiation of the falsehoods contained in that post. You also promised that you would afford me the courtesy of checking with me if anything that seemed unusual regarding D300 caught your attention prior to future publications in order to offer a balanced perspective.

Imagine my surprise then, when I read your latest post this morning. Although it genuinely pains me to have to say so, because you have chosen to once again rely on misleading information, lack of diligent verification, sensationalism in your inference to a clandestine plan for another referendum and in reneging on your word to me, serious doubts are now raised in regard to both your personal and the McHenry County Blog’s credibility and integrity. Surely, in your tenure as a state and county official, there were times when the press chose “not to let the facts get in the way of a good story”, so to speak, in their portrayal of you. Such actions on your part now, therefore, can be viewed as nothing short of hypocritical.

For example, where was a story about multi-year budget projections showing balanced budgets for D300 into the future? Where was a story on how D300 saved our taxpayers over $2 million in the recent bond sale because of the unprecedented 5-tier increase in our credit rating due to the fiscal disciplines that have been instituted? Residents of D300 can be assured that BOE campaign pledges and D300 Strategic Plan objectives of transparency and accountability are being fulfilled.
It certainly is not my intention to engage in an ongoing and escalating war of words with you. I am compelled though, to respond to unprovoked and false accusations – especially in light of our recent discourse. I will put an end to this by simply stating a wish that you remain true to your word I look forward to a balanced perspective in the future.

Sincerely,
John Ryan
Board Member
CUSD 300

More on the Thanksgiving Week comment Ryan refers to above, which I promised I would feature in an article, in a while.

If you ever wondered how liberal former District 300 School Board member Mary Fioretti is, just take a look at her front yard.

It has a sign showing her support for Barack Obama for president.

While most people would remember Fioretti as the Carpentersville District 300 board member beaten by Algonquin Republican Precinct Committeeman John Ryan, others will also remember that ex-McHenry County Republican Central Committee Chairman Bill LeFew appointed her to be a Republican precinct committeeman.

The McHenry County Yearbook for 2007-2008 says she was assigned Algonquin Township precinct 63.

Click to enlarge the photo.

If you ever wondered how liberal former District 300 School Board member Mary Fioretti is, just take a look at her front yard.

It has a sign showing her support for Barack Obama for president.

While most people would remember Fioretti as the Carpentersville District 300 board member beaten by Algonquin Republican Precinct Committeeman John Ryan, others will also remember that ex-McHenry County Republican Central Committee Chairman Bill LeFew appointed her to be a Republican precinct committeeman.

The McHenry County Yearbook for 2007-2008 says she was assigned Algonquin Township precinct 63.

Click to enlarge the photo.

The list was so, so “top secret, hush, hush.”

People fight at the ballot box to get to attend the Republican National Convention.

But some who signed up for the Illinois Republican Convention most certainly did not want their names to be made public.

From the talk at various places, we were going to have a full delegation of 64.

I saw 25 on Friday night and Saturday.

I started asking McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon for a list of the delegates right after I saw the names of six or so coming from Lawrence County in the Sumner Press. They were published right after the organizing conventions.

I never got the list.

So, I made my own.

Here are the people from McHenry County I saw at the convention:

• State Rep. Mike Tryon
• State Sen. Pam Althoff
• McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler
• McHenry Township Supervisor Donna Schaefer
• Her son Jordan Schaefer
• McHenry County Board member Tina Hill
• Her son Garret Hill
• McHenry County Board member Anna Miller
• Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller
• Ersel Schuster, District 6 candidate for McHenry County Board
• Algonquin Township Central Committee Chairman Karla Dobbeck
• Blake Hobson, who, until he moved to Lakewood, was interim Nunda Township Republican Central Committee Chairman and is now an appointed vice chairman of the county GOP charged with raising money
• McHenry Grade School District 15 board member and precinct committeeman John O’Neill
• District 300 School Board member and precinct committeeman John Ryan
• Glenda Miller, Chief Deputy County Treasurer and Central Committee Secretary
• Her husband Paul Lis
• Brent Smith, precinct committeeman who is organizing parade walkers (meet at The Cottage in Crystal Lake on the 18th at 6:30–Walkup and Crystal Lake Avenues) and Young Republicans
• His wife, Joni Smith
• Kathleen Kuchta, Central Committee Vice Chairman
• Greenwood Township precinct committeeman John McCleary, who works for the State’s Attorney’s Office
• Joyce Story, McHenry Township precinct committeeman
• Sue Sedar, President of the Pro Life Victory PAC
• Linda Moore, Grafton Township precinct committeeman
• Cal Skinner, Algonquin Township precinct committeeman
• Michele Skinner, guard of the convention seats

In addition, Nick Kachiroubas, plus Jake Justen and his finance Ahston were sighted Friday night.

= = = = =
All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

The list was so, so “top secret, hush, hush.”

People fight at the ballot box to get to attend the Republican National Convention.

But some who signed up for the Illinois Republican Convention most certainly did not want their names to be made public.

From the talk at various places, we were going to have a full delegation of 64.

I saw 25 on Friday night and Saturday.

I started asking McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon for a list of the delegates right after I saw the names of six or so coming from Lawrence County in the Sumner Press. They were published right after the organizing conventions.

I never got the list.

So, I made my own.

Here are the people from McHenry County I saw at the convention:

• State Rep. Mike Tryon
• State Sen. Pam Althoff
• McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler
• McHenry Township Supervisor Donna Schaefer
• Her son Jordan Schaefer
• McHenry County Board member Tina Hill
• Her son Garret Hill
• McHenry County Board member Anna Miller
• Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller
• Ersel Schuster, District 6 candidate for McHenry County Board
• Algonquin Township Central Committee Chairman Karla Dobbeck
• Blake Hobson, who, until he moved to Lakewood, was interim Nunda Township Republican Central Committee Chairman and is now an appointed vice chairman of the county GOP charged with raising money
• McHenry Grade School District 15 board member and precinct committeeman John O’Neill
• District 300 School Board member and precinct committeeman John Ryan
• Glenda Miller, Chief Deputy County Treasurer and Central Committee Secretary
• Her husband Paul Lis
• Brent Smith, precinct committeeman who is organizing parade walkers (meet at The Cottage in Crystal Lake on the 18th at 6:30–Walkup and Crystal Lake Avenues) and Young Republicans
• His wife, Joni Smith
• Kathleen Kuchta, Central Committee Vice Chairman
• Greenwood Township precinct committeeman John McCleary, who works for the State’s Attorney’s Office
• Joyce Story, McHenry Township precinct committeeman
• Sue Sedar, President of the Pro Life Victory PAC
• Linda Moore, Grafton Township precinct committeeman
• Cal Skinner, Algonquin Township precinct committeeman
• Michele Skinner, guard of the convention seats

In addition, Nick Kachiroubas, plus Jake Justen and his finance Ahston were sighted Friday night.

= = = = =
All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

This is the third in a series of articles about Monday’s legislative breakfast given by Carpentersville District 300.

Attending were various district administrators, board members John Ryan, who chaired the meeting, and Board President Joe Stevens, plus members of the public.

There were a lot of empty chairs.

State Senator Pam Althoff (R-McHenry) and State Representatives Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake), Ruth Munson (R-Elgin) and Tim Schmitz (R-St. Charles) made up the legislative contingent.

Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates next took the floor. I can’t resist putting up a photo of here standing in front of the projector in which her face became the screen.

OK, I know I’m being naughty, and I’ve got a weird sense of humor.

But, there it was right in front of me—Crates’ face playing the role of screen. I couldn’t help myself when the word “Taxes” appeared on her cheek.

But, back to money.

Crates explained that in the last seven years the state’s share of the district’s operating budget has decrease from 29% to 16%. You can see the details on the screen, if you click to enlarge the picture.

She pointed out that as property value goes up, state aid goes down.

“We knew when the tax rate went up our state aid would go down,” Crates said.

She then attacked the state aid formula, pointing out something I had not realized:

District 300 is a mid-range district.

To me, that means radical change would leave District 300 pretty much unaffected.

“We feel it is incumbent to take on this problem and make it fairer,” she stated. “I understand the richer districts don’t want to help the poorer districts.”

At some point, appropriate here, State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) interjected that some of the Downstate school districts have local tax rates of $1.15 per hundred.

His point was that, even if they were considered “poor,” their local taxpayers were not making an adequate effort.

School Board President Joe Stevens pointed out that the so-called transition money couldn’t be used to hire teachers.
The reason is because it disappears.

State Rep. Ruth Munson (R-Elgin) pointed out she and State Senator Pam Althoff (R-McHenry) has worked on getting the fast growth money.

“We’re looking at ways to get current year funding for special education.”

This is the third in a series of articles about Monday’s legislative breakfast given by Carpentersville District 300.

Attending were various district administrators, board members John Ryan, who chaired the meeting, and Board President Joe Stevens, plus members of the public.

There were a lot of empty chairs.

State Senator Pam Althoff (R-McHenry) and State Representatives Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake), Ruth Munson (R-Elgin) and Tim Schmitz (R-St. Charles) made up the legislative contingent.

Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates next took the floor. I can’t resist putting up a photo of here standing in front of the projector in which her face became the screen.

OK, I know I’m being naughty, and I’ve got a weird sense of humor.

But, there it was right in front of me—Crates’ face playing the role of screen. I couldn’t help myself when the word “Taxes” appeared on her cheek.

But, back to money.

Crates explained that in the last seven years the state’s share of the district’s operating budget has decrease from 29% to 16%. You can see the details on the screen, if you click to enlarge the picture.

She pointed out that as property value goes up, state aid goes down.

“We knew when the tax rate went up our state aid would go down,” Crates said.

She then attacked the state aid formula, pointing out something I had not realized:

District 300 is a mid-range district.

To me, that means radical change would leave District 300 pretty much unaffected.

“We feel it is incumbent to take on this problem and make it fairer,” she stated. “I understand the richer districts don’t want to help the poorer districts.”

At some point, appropriate here, State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) interjected that some of the Downstate school districts have local tax rates of $1.15 per hundred.

His point was that, even if they were considered “poor,” their local taxpayers were not making an adequate effort.

School Board President Joe Stevens pointed out that the so-called transition money couldn’t be used to hire teachers.
The reason is because it disappears.

State Rep. Ruth Munson (R-Elgin) pointed out she and State Senator Pam Althoff (R-McHenry) has worked on getting the fast growth money.

“We’re looking at ways to get current year funding for special education.”