Decisions on school issues should be debated often

A later-than-usual chill is in the air. Did it come from the cold water being splashed around town?

First came the disappointing verdict in the Indian Prairie Unit District 204 condemnation trial, which found the district has to pay nearly twice as much for the 55 acres it planned to buy to house the new Metea Valley High School.

Then came the anticipated debate: Why didn't the district find another site? And, is the third high school really needed?

Important points are being forgotten in both arguments.

First, if district residents had approved a third high school the year before they finally did -- the first time the district asked -- much of what followed wouldn't have happened and the building could already be under construction.

Instead of blaming the district, consider shifting some of that blame to those who voted "no" or didn't vote at all the first time.

Second, I wish those who say we "aren't going to need another high school" would spend some time in the high schools. As the superintendent recently noted, we already need a third high school -- even without any future growth.

Even if not one more student entered the district, the population we already have can fill three high schools comfortably.

Frankly -- and pointedly to those who have accused me of being self-serving -- the third high school will improve my kids' experiences. They are at a severely overcrowded school and will finish in that same situation, regardless of what happens and when.

My older child was at the school before it was overcrowded -- at the level it would return to if a third high school were built. Let me assure you, the difference is vast.

Personally, it makes no difference to me what happens. But I believe building a third high school is the right thing to do. Another high school would reconfigure the district's current student population to three normal-sized high schools.

Please stop tossing the district's Frontier Campus into the mix. It is a separate function, a leased facility helping Neuqua Valley cope somewhat with overcrowding, but not part of the answer.

Meanwhile, Naperville Unit District 203 is coping with different building issues, considering for the past year how to fix the deteriorating physical structure of Naperville Central High School.

I've watched their deliberate process with interest and respect, and was disappointed, but not surprised, by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce tossing in its two cents.

In the past year, the chamber has thrown cold, progress-freezing water on various long-considered issues.

Last year, after months of discussion and at the brink of a decision on the city's smoking ban, the chamber suggested the proposal be re-examined.

Several years into planning for a recreation center, the chamber threw its weight behind revamping the plans, which now lie somewhere in a fog.

Now the chamber, which wholeheartedly backs the idea of building a large parking structure in front of Nichols Library, questions District 203's timing on its decision-making process with regard to Central and the Martin Mitchell property that surrounds it.

I would hope various entities around town (particularly those with elected officials) will make decisions considering the chamber's input for what it is -- a group whose goal is to benefit local businesses and, according to its mission statement, "to provide leadership for the benefit of the business community by promoting economic opportunities and advocating the interest of business."

Lastly, cold water of a different sort.

I hate the sound that is startling residents thanks to the arrival of 10-digit dialing.

I'm not sure how long it will take for it to become second nature to dial 6-3-0 before every single call. Just now I dialed my neighbor, a number I memorized 14 years ago, and was told I'd dialed incorrectly.

Duh. I forgot the area code -- to call next door! It's become easier to walk over and knock.