It’s the local school district versus the neighbors in Anchorage, Alaska, too.
The image used with the Anchoraa, Alaska, South High School bleacher story is similar to ones used to show the situation in Crystal Lake.
The difference is that it’s not the local property taxpayers in Alaska are not footing the bill.
State taxpayers are.
What’s planned?
“The school district is asking the planning commission to allow South to add bleacher seating for some 1,600 spectators, plus lighting and a sound system,” the Anchorage Daily News writes.
The similarities between the stadium constructed by Crystal Lake High School District 155 for Crystal Lake South and the one planned for Anchorage South are close.
The main difference is that the city fathers and mothers are in control in Alaska.
Also, the Alaska neighbors are complaining about the increase in noise, a subject not at issue in Crystal Lake.
Of course, the recent court suit puts the City of Crystal Lake in control, but, unlike in Alaska, the stadium is already standing next to the local South High School neighborhood.
Read the story here.
Unbelievable, lol.
I hope they fight it tooth & nail.
Good luck neighbors of Anchorage South.
There are many similarities between your situation and that of Anchorage’s.
The school district here is an administration-heavy organization that has lost sight of its mission.
It is once again threatening to lay off significant classroom programs and student support positions while simultaneously soliciting funds for multiple unnecessary stadiums at individual high schools.
The municipality’s mid-town stadium facility, which has well served this area for decades, is being refurbished, so there is no need for additional stadiums.
The neighborhoods surrounding the South High school site existed long before the site was considered for the school.
To obtain neighborhood support for wedging the school into the small site surrounded by homes, the district promised in writing and verbally at numerous public venues, that the fields at South would remain for practice use only with contests held at the municipal mid-town stadium.
District administrators acknowledged it would be impossible to mitigate the light, traffic, noise, and trash intrusion high-impact athletic contests would bring to the surrounding homes.
A few years later, the district is throwing the surrounding residents under the bus and seeks Municipal approval to construct a 1600+ seat stadium with full professional amenities.
The district intends to fully schedule it as a revenue generating resource.
A huge percentage of our property taxes here are allocated to the school district. I will post that percentage when I can get an accurate number.
The photo you’ve posted showing the bleachers towering over your homes is shocking.
That’s exactly what South High residents face here.
I hope we homeowners all prevail.
Please keep your blog updated so we can see how you are faring.
Good luck.