Friday, November 6, 2009

South Loop School Tries to get Creative for Funding

The Gazette Chicago has a small article about how the South Loop Elementary School is seeking funds to offset budget shortfalls due to issues with local and state funding.

Although the idea was dropped, we liked that the school council was willing to think creative to get funding:
The South Loop Elementary School Local School Council (LCS) in September proposed leasing the school's parking lot during Chicago Bears games to raise money for the lot's upkeep during winter months.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Speaking of area schools, has the Jones expansion stalled as a result of local economics? Seems like they were supposed to have broke ground by now.

Anonymous said...

I used to think those Deaborn Park Fence people were crazies, but maybe they are on to something with this principle's disregard for the community. Start with the Bears game, and then what.

I doubt that money would ever be accounted for and would go missing fast. Perhaps she could pay for the insurance policy out of her own pocket.

Anonymous said...

How is the Principal "disregarding" the community? The lease of the lot brought in $9,500 per year plus the vendor handled snow removal and de-icing. Last year the school spent over $7500 of their budget on snow removal. If leasing the lot in off school hours nets the school $17,000 she shouldn't consider it? On Bears Sundays every parking lot in the city is filled with paid parking, what makes this location sacrosant?

Anonymous said...

@11:33 - Any community member, whether it is a school or a residential owner should consider how their actions affect their neighbors.

Selling parking for Bears games on the weekend obviously drastically increases traffic flow. It also unavoidable leads to tailgating. Not either of these things is horrible on its own, but they are not particularly desirable in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood.

Also, cutting down trees on your property and replacing them with a rusty steel trailer for your neihbors to view, fencing in public park and putting up a giant billboard are not the actions of a good neighbor.

Anonymous said...

'How is the principle "disregarding" the community?'

Because it is not her decision to make. This is an issue that should be consulted with the residents who are also impacted.

In addition, the liability is not worth the risk, unless the private operator was going to pick up an insurance policy that idemnifies the city, but in reality, if something were to happen the city would still get sued.

She should worry more about being a good neighbor and dealing with the 'neighborhood children needs' first.

FGFM said...

Selling parking for Bears games on the weekend obviously drastically increases traffic flow.

Don't be such a drama queen, the lot just isn't all that big.

Anonymous said...

FGFM - Plymouth and Federal dead end at the school parking lot. So, aside from cars traveling to and from the residences that can be accessed via Federal and Plymouth, there is no other reason for cars to drive on those portions of Plymouth and Federal. Therefore, even thought the lot is not "all that big," the increase in traffic would be drastic. Keep the ad hominem attacks out of the comments - the are neither persuasive nor helpful.

Anonymous said...

"Keep the ad hominem attacks out of the comments - the are neither persuasive nor helpful."

^^ Here's the real problem ^^

Not being open to discourse. The whole "I'm right and everyone else is wrong" attitude.

Hand-wringing and finger-pointing will get you nowhere. I'd rather seem people try and possibly fail than sit back (doing nothing) and complain.

FGFM said...

Therefore, even thought the lot is not "all that big," the increase in traffic would be drastic. Keep the ad hominem attacks out of the comments - the are neither persuasive nor helpful.

Like I said, the lot isn't all that big, even if you want to try to frame this in percentage terms, and I'm not impressed by your pearl-clutching.

Carl said...

Seems like a reasonable solution to their money problems. Parking is a hot commodity.

As a resident, it's a minor bother . . . there's not even that many home games in a season.