This blog is maintained for the sole purpose of allowing the people of Peru and those interested in the cities of the Illinois Valley to express their views.
“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.” Samuel Adams
Obviously this person with a law degree does not read very well. The school and the land it sits on are not he property of the city of Peru. They are owned by the school district. I think it is obvious that the city is getting a SWEETHEART deal from the school district. The school will do the abatement, tear down the school, pay to have it hauled away, grade the site so that it is usable, and be handed the deed for $1.00. Why would the city want to buy the building, subsidize new small businesses, and pay for upkeep and repairs, and most assuredly pay to have air conditioning installed for the tenants? Not with my tax dollars! I would much rather pay the extra 0.5% on my purchases so the school can tear it down. Leave my property taxes alone. Sir, I suggest if you think this is such a great idea, you make an appointment with Mr. Cross and the school board and buy Washington School yourself. Money is still cheap right now. Exactly why the school is moving forward on the bonds to pay for the demolition. Good luck to you! But don't look for me to supplement your business with my tax dollars. The city has never once offered to help me supplement my business. I work 5am to 5pm to make my money, I don't think it is good policy to hand it away to anyone looking for a government handout, as you are suggesting.
Signed a Peru business owner and lifetime resident.
I agree with you completely 1:52 but it's a great deal all the way around including for us as taxpayers. The school district is doing this but the savings in interest rates will largely pay for the job. It iss very smart. Cross knows exactly what he is doing and is very business savvy. The city and schools will benefit long term once again and so will the taxpayers. The video is posted on the city website.
I haven't followed this. All I see is 1.00 and sweetheart deal and no tax dollars? Could someone explain how this all works. I would imagine the construction workers and asbestos removal will receive almost a million dollars by the time it's all done. I'm confused because where is that money coming from? It has to come from some fund. It's not free and the school district is funded by tax dollars. If the school is refinancing they still have to pay it back. I saw something on interest and the school plans on paying back with interest earned? Isn't all this still tax payers dollars? I honestly don't get how this is being presented as not costing tax payers nothing and some million dollars will like magically appear. Please explain. Someone? Please?
How does anyone figure there will be no tax dollars spent? The building must be torn down and the asbestos removed - The school district is borrowing a considerable amount of money (one million dollars I think) to make this happen. So, at least that amount will need to be repaid plus interest. That being said - I support the plan as it was explained. The money must be spent. I just wish people would stop saying no tax dollars will be spent - that is a ludicrous statement.
This is why Alderman Perez wanted more time. It makes sense and why not keep the building? At least someone is looking out for keeping the school open.
Lois not to change the topic but I heard on the radio Oglesby cancelled their evening public meetings due to Presidents Day. I was just looking to see when Public Works planned to have their next meeting and saw an agenda for today (presidents day) did the city of Peru hold that meeting today anyway?
4:10 Perez is not looking out for keeping the building open. It would be completely foolish to do so and the city has no say in that matter anyway.
3:43 no one said it is not costing anything or that no tax doillars were being spent. The deal with the school district and the city is refinancing the debt from Parkside and they are using the savings toward the Northview project and demo of Washington.
Of course it is taxpayer's money but they are doing it in a way that should not impact our taxes. They would finance the debt with the savings rather than raising taxes.
Its all your money but there are smart ways of doing thiings and this is one of them. That and getting rid of the old building and going down to two is also wise. OItherwise I agree the school district and the city should not keep the building. The liability and upkeep alone for an old building like that is huge. If only all governments had this mych vision to think forward instead of backward.
Was Washington School built in the 1920's ? And then I saw the picture in the N.T., of the restoration with private money the old "Blakely Bldg". And with that said I am very happy to see people who don't think the old should always be destroyed . My husband went to Lincoln School in Ottawa which is much older than Washington and not only did they remodel and continue to use but added an addition that is almost an exact style as the older section and children still attend school there and this is like what La Salle did with the Library. Both of those projects are admirable, one a school district and the other a municipality.
Peru has NEVER done anything like that, instead it has always been and always will be tear it down.
"Of course it is taxpayer's money but they are doing it in a way that should not impact our taxes." So, what are they doing? Picking the money from the Money Tree? Of course it impacts our taxes. Just not as drastically.
So Lois you would trade Parkside School for Lincoln School in Ottawa? For real? Why? So you can look at it?
I'm tired of people being backwards. Schools are not historical landmarks. They are built to educate kids today and in the future. But let me guess. If it was good enough for you........
Ottawa refurbishes an old building. Peru builds a phenomenal school (two now!) that most people are very proud of but you think we are the ones who are behind Ottawa.
6:48 they are refinancing the debt. So yes, they are doing so in a manner that will be better for our taxes. If you come from the school of "all taxes are bad" then it is hard to have a discussion. That is what some people on here believe. Of course, those people also want an ambulance to show up at their door, the fire department and police to be there when needed, maintained streets and infrastructure, parks, schools to educate their kids and grand kids, etc., etc.
Whatever your opinion on the Washington topic we have an incredibly well run school system in Peru. Any realtor will tell you it is probably the greatest selling point here. The two new schools will only add to this distinction.
6:36 PM Why are you addressing your comment towards Lois? You are correct the city did built the Mirror building and the city hall, but why are you acknowledging either? The Mirror Building is a huge financial disaster and although new, city hall is nothing arch technically significant and appears to be squeezed into a area of one half the size needed.
@7:15 PM Both Peru and Ottawa have beautiful new schools and are deserving of the pride they have in their schools. The superintendents and school boards of both cities have done and are doing a magnificent job in keeping the best of facilities and outstanding faculties. These are tough jobs and those involved in both cities are enabling their students to obtain a "state of the art" education.
I'm tired of people genuflecting every time Cross is mentioned. I to think he is doing a good job. A good job at spending money. It is a necessary evil - and it could be worse - but he is not the second coming. Now - if he started overtures to start the school district consolidation - I would be impressed. We live in a time when we must demand every expenditure of public funds to be fully explained and all alternative explored. I personally question the necessity of the Northview school expansion - particularly with the school age population decreasing without a sign of anything to turn that trend around. I think the grant received for $11 million should have been used to tear down Washington school and the remainder used to retire as much debt as possible.
If anybody tries to demolish LP, especially the auditorium, I will strap myself to the building when the wrecking crew comes. I'm not originally from this area, and you people have no idea of the grandeur and beauty of that school compared to most high schools that are typically just a square box building.
12:21 am. So where would the Washington kids go to school without the addition? That's why this is being done. For the half cent sales tax and some state grant we are getting rid of two crap schools that would have cost a boatload of money. Don't get me wrong it's all our tax dollars but that's the only thing they have. I just want to see them use it wisely and they are. I've never once heard anyone complain about any of it aside from the save Washington whiners.
Say what you want but the superintendent and school board run their show like a good business and I actually find it refreshing that we have people like that in our community so highly regarded. It's a welcome change from the usual talk about public officials.
I'm onboard with you 12:21 - from an overall cost point of view we need to consolidate LaSalle and Peru schools. People get hung up on property taxes because they send in two big checks a year. But they don't think at all about ALL the taxes involved - taxes we pay in both federal and state income tax as well as what business pays in personal property replacement taxes. No reason to have two districts in such a small geographic area. FOR THE GOOD OF EVERYONE INVOLVED - PERU AND LASALLE SCHOOLS NEED TO BE CONSOLIDATED!
Superintendent Cross is no less suspect than Peru's mayor and aldermen in terms of their lack of trustworthiness and strictly political motivations. These people are left in charge of huge sums of taxpayer dollars and they are seldom scrutinized to the level they should be by the general public and never by the local press. While Cross is slick and a good speaker, Harl and the aldermen are clumsy and lazy. But they all have one thing in common. They are political creatures in every sense of the word. They are "self-serving" first and foremost because they must be to remain in power at all costs. Personally, I think Mark Cross and the Peru Grade School Board of Education are throwing huge amounts of money around and setting up the district for a massive cash shortfall within the next five to ten years. They claim to be penny wise but they are no different than city of Peru government in the way they are a "cash guzzling machine" dominated by politics and inefficiency. Don't take my word for it, just pay attention to the press releases over the next decade when your grade school board and superintendent start asking for more money in order to maintain "operations".
people around here get to emotional over the school issue. We don't need so many districts. We need to cut, cut, cut. Consolidate, consolidate, consolidate. now a bunch of people are going to jump in and start spouting off about "there is not proof that consolidation equals savings." When they do keep in mind that they are probably the ones that will be cut. Speaking of cutting - It is time for the Education Industry to get out of the Sports Business. Our local schools should not be providing free entertainment to the masses in the form of spectator sports. Either make them a profit center (not practical) or cut them out! Make ALL the kids run laps for exercise - don't concentrate on the 20% that have talent in a particular sport.
Anon 12:21 AM Admitting that a superintendent of a school (all superintendents) spend a lot of money one must observe the need and what in return is purchased for the dollar spent. All things such as costs of operating a older facility against the cost of running a new facility, which include bus service and number of custodians, staff and faculty etc. In building or buying a parcel of property one must consider if financially it is the proper time. Believe me, Mr. Mark Cross is providing Peru with educational progress at the proper time and is utilizing finances in the most efficient direction available. As for utilizing the $11 million to tear down Washington School rather than using it to build a new school, will you please share why this would be best. To use the remainder to retire as much debt as possible I'll ask you, with the hopes I do not create Peru World War WWXXI, to remember how the funds are obtained to pay for the school built a few years ago. With as little as this debt costs us personally why do you find it the most efficient to retire? Peru is fortunate to upgrade its educational facilities at such minute costs to its citizenship. The school board and Mark Cross have placed Peru in a excellent position for its children's education and should be recognized for such.
12:21, if they would wait a few years without doing anything, the school age population can be supported by Parkview (I said that intentionally because I think the school board was drunk when they named it) and Northview without the addition.
This sports business you want to get rid of have many more positives than free entertainment to the masses. One of the positives is that they provide the opportunity for students to intermingle as a social group which is a necessary part of education. Especially in today's society.
3:57 AM, February 17, 2015 - better get your chain out. I think it is in the LP Master Plan to build a new school - but they had to build a $10 million sports complex first. Now that is taken care of, stand by for the push for a new LP.
11:05 - it is not the governments job to provide students the opportunity to intermingle. Nature and their parents will take care of that. Look all over Europe, look all over Asia - nobody wastes as much time on student sports as the U.S. does.
10:52 - retiring the debt will decrease the cost of living.
Don't kid yourself, perus plan is to build a brand new police station and fire station, and for our fire department to have all fireman full-time. Amazing a population of 10,000.
12:40 no it will not and they will retire the debt long term anyway. apparently you would rather have the old buildigs remain open. Or are you the genius that said close Washington and don't do the addition. We will just stick those 300 kids somewhere else right? Right.
Consolidating the buildings like they are will save real costs in staffing and maintenance long term and these are compounding costs. Seriously if people cannot understand the cost savings from a business perspective they are never going to get it. We are not spending money on old biuldings that are just going to get older.
Unless your head is in the sand this has been explained very well. If yor view is everything the school district or city does is evil then no one can help you.
Local Statistics as births vs deaths do not show any increase in births and in fact are lower than past years. Those that will move into the area may or may not show an increase. And of those how many will be in public vs private schools. Also be aware that fewer and fewer hospitals are doing births and many that take place in Peru are from outside the area and will return there.
This would be an interesting study from the last few years and forward for 5 to 10 years. Wonder if this has been done and if so please share the stats with us.
1:11, Please read the entire post. That is why I put in parenthesis "(I said that intentionally because I think the school board was drunk when they named it)"
I'm pretty certain that the number of school age children is declining - not increasing.
Lois - just look at the census reports for Peru residents. Age in increasing, the number of school children is decreasing. Unless something is done to bring jobs that can support a young family to the area - there is no reason to expect this trend to change.
So - in ten years or so, we will be talking about shutting down Northview and putting on an addition to Parkside in order to reduce the number of buildings to one. It is not hard to project the graph. So yes - Washington could have stayed open for a few more years. But, as you know, when you have $11 million burning a hole in your pocket you need to do something with it.
I wonder what will become of the property when Northview is torn down. Will it be residential or commercial. My bet it that it will be developed into another assisted care facility.
The district is right around 1000 kids and has been for a long time. Enrollment is higher than it was ten years ago. Very few Peru kids attend the Catholic schools vs some other towns around and there will be even less as the nicer buildings are completed.
I'm evidently not good at seeing into the future or I would not have made some of the voting choices that I did a few years ago. But just from experience, I know that there will be parking issues unless they have provided a parking lot for the school (?). Special events will probably bring residential complaints and about house values I am unsure. In past years when we considered moving, I would check listings and in desirable areas many of the homes available were in places like right across from schools. Does that mean people prefer to not locate in those areas? I don't know.
The population decrease in is the Midwest part of the country and related to the economic pratfalls of manufacturing. You won't see much of a increase in LaSalle County in the next ten years. We are a transportation area with abundance of jobs in warehousing. This isn't a high tech center and we are not Wall Street. We will still grow food and move supplies around the country. People will still value the small town atmosphere and many of our young people will return to raise a family. We value a strong school system, low cost of living and safe neighborhoods. Its not wrong to have a city of 10,000. Many older people are moving back for the same reasons outlined above. Many of us have lived in the big cities and we choose to live here. I question those who complain about why we don't grow more in population, it has nothing to do with quality of life.
2:44 - define "a long time." Our population is not very transient. Meaning we don't have a lot of people coming and going. At least that is what I observe. My observations are also backed up by what I have read in the census reports. Anyway - It takes about nine years to flush a kid through the system. We need to look at the number of replacements at the front end every year. The numbers at that end are declining 10, 20, 30 students per year. Not sure of the exact numbers. It takes time for this to be noticed in the overall numbers. It might not sound like much - but when you are dealing with a very small district (1,000 students is not much) it will begin to show in the numbers. The average person does not think in terms of decades. But you need to. But - on the bright side - when we do start to notice this, maybe then our politicians will do something about getting more jobs here. We need more industrial, manufacturing, and transportation jobs. Otherwise 30 years from now this place will be a ghost town.
2:08 you are hilarious. If we lost enough kids to shut down a school we would have to lose about 30-40 percent of our total population in Peru, exactly equivalaent to the school's enrollment. Ten percent of our population is in the school district whether you want to believe it or not. Or they just did this because $11 million was "burning a hold in their pocket." Thank God you are not in charge of anything. Go put on your tin foil hat and chill.
3:25 PM I am a parent and there are well over 100 firstt grade kids in the district. They are not losing 10, 20, or 30 students a year as yopu say. My kids have gone through the system and they gain kids as the years pass not lose. I'm pretty sure the school district has a good handle on the enrollemnt of the district rather than you making up numbers. There is always some fluctuation but it is so obvious that you are making up numbers. Also 1000 elemntary kids is far more than any district around the LP area except for maybe LaSalle. There are districts around that are a fraction of Peru's size.
There is always some flucuation but there you go. I think we are safe with the two new schools but pretty sure we won;t be tearing down Northview or adding on to Parkside anytime soon. I think they figured it out.
My source is the Illinois State board of education so those who want to make up numbers can come up with your own source.
Lois ask a real estate agent where people want to build or buy a home. I don't think it is a coincidence that the nice new homes in Peru are being built near Parkside and the developer wanted it that way. Of course that is probably a bad thing too. Its hard to keep up herre with the negative people.
11:04 Your comments are exactly why this blog has no credibility. To insult this group of volunteers and say they were drunk when they named the school because you did not like it, shows how unintelligent you really are. I am, however, impressed that your monkey can type so well.(I said that intentionally because i do not think you have the capability to use a computer). As it has been stated soooo many times before, if you don't understand how this benefits Peru, You never will.
4:22 You are pathetically wrong it is not declining. I blogged 12 years of enrollment history from a simple google search and maybe Lois is not going to post it. It's an average of around 1000 kids for 12 years. Unchanged. Actually it is up slightly.
You have no idea how many clasrooms there are or the space for the kids because you don;t care about being accurate. You are only interested in spwewing garbage that makes no sense to anyone.
I should let it go but its hard to pass up presenting actual facts to your "go smoke a fish" comment whatever the hell that means. All done now but can't wait for your next pitiful insult as a response.
This is fact. My children went to Peru schools My children also went to college and graduated, not with a liberal arts degree (these are easy to obtain and don't hold much value, sad but true.) None of my children after graduating from college live or work within 100 miles from Peru, nor have a large percentage of their friends who went to college or didn't. So, this being said, non of these persons will be raising children in the Illinois Valley, nor will they be attending schools here. So, I do believe there will be a decline in enrollment in the future in our schools. We do need to seriously watch our spending to build everything new. Parkside is a beautiful facility. Wasn't Sycamore Lakes subdivision in a flood plain? Will be interesting how the storm, sewer system holds up in the future. Personally, I would never build or buy a home in that subdivision.
Parkside - poppycock! The Park was dismantled as soon as the school opened. The truth is - they didn't have guts to actually name the school after something or somebody. And many good recommendations where submitted. So we are stuck with a vanilla name without meaning. - No Class (pun intended.)
I think rather than being destroyed Peru Washington School would make a ideal residence for the homeless veterans. Since individual apartments would not be needed. This could be a very inexpensive transition. They serve lunch there, and showers should be in the gym.
7:04, I don't think you know what it costs just for utilities alone let alone upkeep. I'm a veteran and understand what your saying, it just isn't feasible with that building.
it would cost about $11 million to convert the school to apartments. Hmmmmmmm..... that is sarcasm if you can't tell.
I'm a veteran also. The fine people of Peru will not allow public housing. How do you think the idea of a homeless shelter of that size would be received? Pads is hidden and caters mostly to moms.
While a noble one, I don't think the idea of turning the building into a shelter for homeless veterans is practical. It sounds like a solution in search of a problem. I just don't see many homeless men and women - veterans or otherwise - wandering the streets of LaSalle and Peru.
9:23 - define many. Pads lists 10 people per night on their web page. I do not believe we have a population of chronically homeless people. In other words - the problem does not stress the resources. Chicago, on the other hand, has a population of about 45,000. Are you advocating we bring some of them here just so we don't have to demolish Washington School?
I'm sorry I opened this can of worms. But... maybe it will be fun. Let the flames begin!
Why does everyone think Veterans are homeless or have mental issues? For your information, almost all of them do very well in whatever occupation they choose. We don't have a homeless veterans problem in the Illinois Valley.
Yes we have a nursing home for the veterans in LaSalle but we do not have a Veterans Home for the homeless. You, 12:31, evidently do not understand the number of nor veterans mental issues. How can you ignore and confuse veterans mental issues with job success. Yes it is possible to have both at the same time. I know through experience with PTSD. How do you know?
1:23 - I am career military. 20 years active duty. I'm sorry - I understand those issues perfectly well.
Those issues are not the point. The point is the necessity of converting a school into a shelter to house homeless veterans. It will not be used unless the population is transported here to use it.
I'll say it again - fine recommendation, but it is a solution in search of a problem.
Someone said Pads lists 10 people per night. That's great, if it means there are less homeless. Before the old grocery store reopened to a big box there were more than 10 people per night sleeping in the breezeway outside laying on concrete.
Regarding Pads. Pads is only opened certain times of the year, winter as example. People in the area that are homeless know we have a shelter and they use it from 7 pm to 7 am i believe, meal and sleep, when it's opened. So, when it's not opened these homeless people still probably go their and sleep outside. We do have a homeless population in the Illinois Valley. Some people look down upon these people. Sad. Alot of people are one paycheck themselves from being homeless. It can happen to anybody easily and fast.
73 comments:
Obviously this person with a law degree does not read very well.
The school and the land it sits on are not he property of the city of Peru. They are owned by the school district. I think it is obvious that the city is getting a SWEETHEART deal from the school district.
The school will do the abatement, tear down the school, pay to have it hauled away, grade the site so that it is usable, and be handed the deed for $1.00.
Why would the city want to buy the building, subsidize new small businesses, and pay for upkeep and repairs, and most assuredly pay to have air conditioning installed for the tenants?
Not with my tax dollars!
I would much rather pay the extra 0.5% on my purchases so the school can tear it down.
Leave my property taxes alone.
Sir, I suggest if you think this is such a great idea, you make an appointment with Mr. Cross and the school board and buy Washington School yourself.
Money is still cheap right now.
Exactly why the school is moving forward on the bonds to pay for the demolition.
Good luck to you!
But don't look for me to supplement your business with my tax dollars.
The city has never once offered to help me supplement my business.
I work 5am to 5pm to make my money, I don't think it is good policy to hand it away to anyone looking for a government handout, as you are suggesting.
Signed a Peru business owner and lifetime resident.
I agree. Besides, both the building and location are not appropriate for offices or a commercial activity.
I agree with you completely 1:52 but it's a great deal all the way around including for us as taxpayers. The school district is doing this but the savings in interest rates will largely pay for the job. It iss very smart. Cross knows exactly what he is doing and is very business savvy. The city and schools will benefit long term once again and so will the taxpayers. The video is posted on the city website.
I haven't followed this. All I see is 1.00 and sweetheart deal and no tax dollars? Could someone explain how this all works. I would imagine the construction workers and asbestos removal will receive almost a million dollars by the time it's all done. I'm confused because where is that money coming from? It has to come from some fund. It's not free and the school district is funded by tax dollars. If the school is refinancing they still have to pay it back. I saw something on interest and the school plans on paying back with interest earned? Isn't all this still tax payers dollars? I honestly don't get how this is being presented as not costing tax payers nothing and some million dollars will like magically appear. Please explain. Someone? Please?
How does anyone figure there will be no tax dollars spent? The building must be torn down and the asbestos removed - The school district is borrowing a considerable amount of money (one million dollars I think) to make this happen. So, at least that amount will need to be repaid plus interest.
That being said - I support the plan as it was explained. The money must be spent. I just wish people would stop saying no tax dollars will be spent - that is a ludicrous statement.
This is why Alderman Perez wanted more time. It makes sense and why not keep the building? At least someone is looking out for keeping the school open.
Lois not to change the topic but I heard on the radio Oglesby cancelled their evening public meetings due to Presidents Day. I was just looking to see when Public Works planned to have their next meeting and saw an agenda for today (presidents day) did the city of Peru hold that meeting today anyway?
4:18 Yes they did.
4:10 Perez is not looking out for keeping the building open. It would be completely foolish to do so and the city has no say in that matter anyway.
3:43 no one said it is not costing anything or that no tax doillars were being spent. The deal with the school district and the city is refinancing the debt from Parkside and they are using the savings toward the Northview project and demo of Washington.
Of course it is taxpayer's money but they are doing it in a way that should not impact our taxes. They would finance the debt with the savings rather than raising taxes.
Its all your money but there are smart ways of doing thiings and this is one of them. That and getting rid of the old building and going down to two is also wise. OItherwise I agree the school district and the city should not keep the building. The liability and upkeep alone for an old building like that is huge. If only all governments had this mych vision to think forward instead of backward.
President's Day is not a City holiday.
Was Washington School built in the 1920's ? And then I saw the picture in the N.T., of the restoration with private money the old "Blakely Bldg". And with that said I am very happy to see people who don't think the old should always be destroyed . My husband went to Lincoln School in Ottawa which is much older than Washington and not only did they remodel and continue to use but added an addition that is almost an exact style as the older section and children still attend school there and this is like what La Salle did with the Library. Both of those projects are admirable, one a school district and the other a municipality.
Peru has NEVER done anything like that, instead it has always been and always will be tear it down.
Lois, the city built the Mirror building and a beautiful city hall.
"Of course it is taxpayer's money but they are doing it in a way that should not impact our taxes."
So, what are they doing? Picking the money from the Money Tree? Of course it impacts our taxes. Just not as drastically.
So Lois you would trade Parkside School for Lincoln School in Ottawa? For real? Why? So you can look at it?
I'm tired of people being backwards. Schools are not historical landmarks. They are built to educate kids today and in the future. But let me guess. If it was good enough for you........
Ottawa refurbishes an old building. Peru builds a phenomenal school (two now!) that most people are very proud of but you think we are the ones who are behind Ottawa.
Unbelievable.
6:48 they are refinancing the debt. So yes, they are doing so in a manner that will be better for our taxes. If you come from the school of "all taxes are bad" then it is hard to have a discussion. That is what some people on here believe. Of course, those people also want an ambulance to show up at their door, the fire department and police to be there when needed, maintained streets and infrastructure, parks, schools to educate their kids and grand kids, etc., etc.
Whatever your opinion on the Washington topic we have an incredibly well run school system in Peru. Any realtor will tell you it is probably the greatest selling point here. The two new schools will only add to this distinction.
6:36 PM
Why are you addressing your comment towards Lois? You are correct the city did built the Mirror building and the city hall, but why are you acknowledging either? The Mirror Building is a huge financial disaster and although new, city hall is nothing arch technically significant and appears to be squeezed into a area of one half the size needed.
6:36, yes after they tore down what was previously in those spots.
@7:15 PM Both Peru and Ottawa have beautiful new schools and are deserving of the pride they have in their schools. The superintendents and school boards of both cities have done and are doing a magnificent job in keeping the best of facilities and outstanding faculties. These are tough jobs and those involved in both cities are enabling their students to obtain a "state of the art" education.
I'm tired of people genuflecting every time Cross is mentioned. I to think he is doing a good job. A good job at spending money. It is a necessary evil - and it could be worse - but he is not the second coming.
Now - if he started overtures to start the school district consolidation - I would be impressed.
We live in a time when we must demand every expenditure of public funds to be fully explained and all alternative explored. I personally question the necessity of the Northview school expansion - particularly with the school age population decreasing without a sign of anything to turn that trend around. I think the grant received for $11 million should have been used to tear down Washington school and the remainder used to retire as much debt as possible.
If anybody tries to demolish LP, especially the auditorium, I will strap myself to the building when the wrecking crew comes. I'm not originally from this area, and you people have no idea of the grandeur and beauty of that school compared to most high schools that are typically just a square box building.
12:21 am. So where would the Washington kids go to school without the addition? That's why this is being done. For the half cent sales tax and some state grant we are getting rid of two crap schools that would have cost a boatload of money. Don't get me wrong it's all our tax dollars but that's the only thing they have. I just want to see them use it wisely and they are. I've never once heard anyone complain about any of it aside from the save Washington whiners.
Say what you want but the superintendent and school board run their show like a good business and I actually find it refreshing that we have people like that in our community so highly regarded. It's a welcome change from the usual talk about public officials.
I'm onboard with you 12:21 - from an overall cost point of view we need to consolidate LaSalle and Peru schools.
People get hung up on property taxes because they send in two big checks a year. But they don't think at all about ALL the taxes involved - taxes we pay in both federal and state income tax as well as what business pays in personal property replacement taxes.
No reason to have two districts in such a small geographic area. FOR THE GOOD OF EVERYONE INVOLVED - PERU AND LASALLE SCHOOLS NEED TO BE CONSOLIDATED!
Superintendent Cross is no less suspect than Peru's mayor and aldermen in terms of their lack of trustworthiness and strictly political motivations. These people are left in charge of huge sums of taxpayer dollars and they are seldom scrutinized to the level they should be by the general public and never by the local press. While Cross is slick and a good speaker, Harl and the aldermen are clumsy and lazy. But they all have one thing in common. They are political creatures in every sense of the word. They are "self-serving" first and foremost because they must be to remain in power at all costs. Personally, I think Mark Cross and the Peru Grade School Board of Education are throwing huge amounts of money around and setting up the district for a massive cash shortfall within the next five to ten years. They claim to be penny wise but they are no different than city of Peru government in the way they are a "cash guzzling machine" dominated by politics and inefficiency. Don't take my word for it, just pay attention to the press releases over the next decade when your grade school board and superintendent start asking for more money in order to
maintain "operations".
people around here get to emotional over the school issue. We don't need so many districts. We need to cut, cut, cut. Consolidate, consolidate, consolidate.
now a bunch of people are going to jump in and start spouting off about "there is not proof that consolidation equals savings." When they do keep in mind that they are probably the ones that will be cut.
Speaking of cutting - It is time for the Education Industry to get out of the Sports Business. Our local schools should not be providing free entertainment to the masses in the form of spectator sports. Either make them a profit center (not practical) or cut them out! Make ALL the kids run laps for exercise - don't concentrate on the 20% that have talent in a particular sport.
i see apartments all over that old building.
Anon 12:21 AM
Admitting that a superintendent of a school (all superintendents) spend a lot of money one must observe the need and what in return is purchased for the dollar spent.
All things such as costs of operating a older facility against the cost of running a new facility, which include bus service and number of custodians, staff and faculty etc.
In building or buying a parcel of property one must consider if financially it is the proper time. Believe me, Mr. Mark Cross is providing Peru with educational progress at the proper time and is utilizing finances in the most efficient direction available.
As for utilizing the $11 million to tear down Washington School rather than using it to build a new school, will you please share why this would be best. To use the remainder to retire as much debt as possible I'll ask you, with the hopes I do not create Peru World War WWXXI, to remember how the funds are obtained to pay for the school built a few years ago. With as little as this debt costs us personally why do you find it the most efficient to retire?
Peru is fortunate to upgrade its educational facilities at such minute costs to its citizenship. The school board and Mark Cross have placed Peru in a excellent position for its children's education and should be recognized for such.
12:21, if they would wait a few years without doing anything, the school age population can be supported by Parkview (I said that intentionally because I think the school board was drunk when they named it) and Northview without the addition.
This sports business you want to get rid of have many more positives than free entertainment to the masses. One of the positives is that they provide the opportunity for students to intermingle as a social group which is a necessary part of education. Especially in today's society.
3:57 AM, February 17, 2015 - better get your chain out. I think it is in the LP Master Plan to build a new school - but they had to build a $10 million sports complex first. Now that is taken care of, stand by for the push for a new LP.
11:05 - it is not the governments job to provide students the opportunity to intermingle. Nature and their parents will take care of that. Look all over Europe, look all over Asia - nobody wastes as much time on student sports as the U.S. does.
10:52 - retiring the debt will decrease the cost of living.
11:04 The district's enrollment is not going to decrease by 300 some kids. Comments like this are such a waste of time. Wake up.
Park View is a tavern/bar
it's Parkside school
Don't kid yourself, perus plan is to build a brand new police station and fire station, and for our fire department to have all fireman full-time. Amazing a population of 10,000.
oh I get your reference to Parkview
sry
12:40 no it will not and they will retire the debt long term anyway. apparently you would rather have the old buildigs remain open. Or are you the genius that said close Washington and don't do the addition. We will just stick those 300 kids somewhere else right? Right.
Consolidating the buildings like they are will save real costs in staffing and maintenance long term and these are compounding costs. Seriously if people cannot understand the cost savings from a business perspective they are never going to get it. We are not spending money on old biuldings that are just going to get older.
Unless your head is in the sand this has been explained very well. If yor view is everything the school district or city does is evil then no one can help you.
1:01 PM
Local Statistics as births vs deaths do not show any increase in births and in fact are lower than past years. Those that will move into the area may or may not show an increase. And of those how many will be in public vs private schools.
Also be aware that fewer and fewer hospitals are doing births and many that take place in Peru are from outside the area and will return there.
This would be an interesting study from the last few years and forward for 5 to 10 years. Wonder if this has been done and if so please share the stats with us.
1:11, Please read the entire post. That is why I put in parenthesis "(I said that intentionally because I think the school board was drunk when they named it)"
I'm pretty certain that the number of school age children is declining - not increasing.
Lois - just look at the census reports for Peru residents. Age in increasing, the number of school children is decreasing. Unless something is done to bring jobs that can support a young family to the area - there is no reason to expect this trend to change.
So - in ten years or so, we will be talking about shutting down Northview and putting on an addition to Parkside in order to reduce the number of buildings to one. It is not hard to project the graph.
So yes - Washington could have stayed open for a few more years. But, as you know, when you have $11 million burning a hole in your pocket you need to do something with it.
I wonder what will become of the property when Northview is torn down. Will it be residential or commercial. My bet it that it will be developed into another assisted care facility.
The district is right around 1000 kids and has been for a long time. Enrollment is higher than it was ten years ago. Very few Peru kids attend the Catholic schools vs some other towns around and there will be even less as the nicer buildings are completed.
I'm evidently not good at seeing into the future or I would not have made some of the voting choices that I did a few years ago.
But just from experience, I know that there will be parking issues unless they have provided a parking lot for the school (?). Special events will probably bring residential complaints and about house values I am unsure. In past years when we considered moving, I would check listings and in desirable areas many of the homes available were in places like right across from schools. Does that mean people prefer to not locate in those areas? I don't know.
The population decrease in is the Midwest part of the country and related to the economic pratfalls of manufacturing. You won't see much of a increase in LaSalle County in the next ten years. We are a transportation area with abundance of jobs in warehousing. This isn't a high tech center and we are not Wall Street. We will still grow food and move supplies around the country. People will still value the small town atmosphere and many of our young people will return to raise a family. We value a strong school system, low cost of living and safe neighborhoods. Its not wrong to have a city of 10,000. Many older people are moving back for the same reasons outlined above.
Many of us have lived in the big cities and we choose to live here. I question those who complain about why we don't grow more in population, it has nothing to do with quality of life.
2:44 - define "a long time." Our population is not very transient. Meaning we don't have a lot of people coming and going. At least that is what I observe. My observations are also backed up by what I have read in the census reports.
Anyway - It takes about nine years to flush a kid through the system. We need to look at the number of replacements at the front end every year. The numbers at that end are declining 10, 20, 30 students per year. Not sure of the exact numbers. It takes time for this to be noticed in the overall numbers. It might not sound like much - but when you are dealing with a very small district (1,000 students is not much) it will begin to show in the numbers. The average person does not think in terms of decades. But you need to.
But - on the bright side - when we do start to notice this, maybe then our politicians will do something about getting more jobs here.
We need more industrial, manufacturing, and transportation jobs. Otherwise 30 years from now this place will be a ghost town.
2:08 you are hilarious. If we lost enough kids to shut down a school we would have to lose about 30-40 percent of our total population in Peru, exactly equivalaent to the school's enrollment. Ten percent of our population is in the school district whether you want to believe it or not. Or they just did this because $11 million was "burning a hold in their pocket." Thank God you are not in charge of anything. Go put on your tin foil hat and chill.
8% of the County population is transient. no more no less than other parts of the USA.
3:25 PM I am a parent and there are well over 100 firstt grade kids in the district. They are not losing 10, 20, or 30 students a year as yopu say. My kids have gone through the system and they gain kids as the years pass not lose. I'm pretty sure the school district has a good handle on the enrollemnt of the district rather than you making up numbers. There is always some fluctuation but it is so obvious that you are making up numbers. Also 1000 elemntary kids is far more than any district around the LP area except for maybe LaSalle. There are districts around that are a fraction of Peru's size.
Enough debate about the number of kids in Peru schools. I just looked it up.
2003 - 906
2004 - 876
2005 - 885
2006 - 939
2007 - 935
2008 - 927
2009 - 938
2010 - 948
2011 - 1062
2012 - 1029
2013 - 1002
2014 - 978
There is always some flucuation but there you go. I think we are safe with the two new schools but pretty sure we won;t be tearing down Northview or adding on to Parkside anytime soon. I think they figured it out.
My source is the Illinois State board of education so those who want to make up numbers can come up with your own source.
3:58, go smoke a fish. School age population is declining. We don't need three buildings and we don't need to expand Northview. That is the point.
Lois ask a real estate agent where people want to build or buy a home. I don't think it is a coincidence that the nice new homes in Peru are being built near Parkside and the developer wanted it that way. Of course that is probably a bad thing too. Its hard to keep up herre with the negative people.
11:04 Your comments are exactly why this blog has no credibility. To insult this group of volunteers and say they were drunk when they named the school because you did not like it, shows how unintelligent you really are. I am, however, impressed that your monkey can type so well.(I said that intentionally because i do not think you have the capability to use a computer). As it has been stated soooo many times before, if you don't understand how this benefits Peru, You never will.
4:22 You are pathetically wrong it is not declining. I blogged 12 years of enrollment history from a simple google search and maybe Lois is not going to post it. It's an average of around 1000 kids for 12 years. Unchanged. Actually it is up slightly.
You have no idea how many clasrooms there are or the space for the kids because you don;t care about being accurate. You are only interested in spwewing garbage that makes no sense to anyone.
I should let it go but its hard to pass up presenting actual facts to your "go smoke a fish" comment whatever the hell that means. All done now but can't wait for your next pitiful insult as a response.
This is fact. My children went to Peru schools My children also went to college and graduated, not with a liberal arts degree (these are easy to obtain and don't hold much value, sad but true.) None of my children after graduating from college live or work within 100 miles from Peru, nor have a large percentage of their friends who went to college or didn't. So, this being said, non of these persons will be raising children in the Illinois Valley, nor will they be attending schools here. So, I do believe there will be a decline in enrollment in the future in our schools. We do need to seriously watch our spending to build everything new. Parkside is a beautiful facility. Wasn't Sycamore Lakes subdivision in a flood plain? Will be interesting how the storm, sewer system holds up in the future. Personally, I would never build or buy a home in that subdivision.
Parkside - poppycock! The Park was dismantled as soon as the school opened. The truth is - they didn't have guts to actually name the school after something or somebody. And many good recommendations where submitted. So we are stuck with a vanilla name without meaning. - No Class (pun intended.)
I think rather than being destroyed Peru Washington School would make a ideal residence for the homeless veterans.
Since individual apartments would not be needed. This could be a very inexpensive transition. They serve lunch there, and showers should be in the gym.
7:04, I don't think you know what it costs just for utilities alone let alone upkeep. I'm a veteran and understand what your saying, it just isn't feasible with that building.
it would cost about $11 million to convert the school to apartments. Hmmmmmmm..... that is sarcasm if you can't tell.
I'm a veteran also. The fine people of Peru will not allow public housing. How do you think the idea of a homeless shelter of that size would be received? Pads is hidden and caters mostly to moms.
If it was a government building used for Veterans would there be a charge for utilities. I would think so but really don't know.
8:08 - yes. The government pays for utilities.
While a noble one, I don't think the idea of turning the building into a shelter for homeless veterans is practical. It sounds like a solution in search of a problem. I just don't see many homeless men and women - veterans or otherwise - wandering the streets of LaSalle and Peru.
9:23 Get your head out of the sand. Pads has many homeless people. The solution is to fund Pads.
8:33, you are correct. Homeless people mainly at pads. Isn't Womens shelter in Ottawa? Veterans should be taken care of.
9:23 - define many. Pads lists 10 people per night on their web page. I do not believe we have a population of chronically homeless people. In other words - the problem does not stress the resources. Chicago, on the other hand, has a population of about 45,000. Are you advocating we bring some of them here just so we don't have to demolish Washington School?
I'm sorry I opened this can of worms. But... maybe it will be fun. Let the flames begin!
Why does everyone think Veterans are homeless or have mental issues? For your information, almost all of them do very well in whatever occupation they choose.
We don't have a homeless veterans problem in the Illinois Valley.
No debate to start about Washington. This has been silly enough and that's a done deal. We have PADS and we have a veterans home.
Yes we have a nursing home for the veterans in LaSalle but we do not have a Veterans Home for the homeless.
You, 12:31, evidently do not understand the number of nor veterans mental issues. How can you ignore and confuse veterans mental issues with job success. Yes it is possible to have both at the same time. I know through experience with PTSD. How do you know?
1:23 - I am career military. 20 years active duty.
I'm sorry - I understand those issues perfectly well.
Those issues are not the point. The point is the necessity of converting a school into a shelter to house homeless veterans. It will not be used unless the population is transported here to use it.
I'll say it again - fine recommendation, but it is a solution in search of a problem.
Someone said Pads lists 10 people per night. That's great, if it means there are less homeless.
Before the old grocery store reopened to a big box there were more than 10 people per night sleeping in the breezeway outside laying on concrete.
5:15, please provide the documentation behind your statement.
I heard there is a hobo camp down on the I&M Canal between LaSalle and Utica.
I've personally taken persons to pads that hung out by rt.251, gas station, McDonald's. One time a married couple in their late 50 and 60.
Anon 11:43 The documentation behind my statement is that I personally witnessed this every morning at 4:30 AM on my way to work.
Well then 11:09 - I'm happy that somebody finally ran them off.
Regarding Pads. Pads is only opened certain times of the year, winter as example. People in the area that are homeless know we have a shelter and they use it from 7 pm to 7 am i believe, meal and sleep, when it's opened. So, when it's not opened these homeless people still probably go their and sleep outside. We do have a homeless population in the Illinois Valley. Some people look down upon these people. Sad. Alot of people are one paycheck themselves from being homeless. It can happen to anybody easily and fast.
@4:03, you are ignorant. Bless you if you or any family members are ever in a situation.
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