McHenry County Superintendents Organization: Election Interference?

Superintendents of all 18 school districts in McHenry County have banded together in a group called the McHenry County Superintendents Organization. The group keeps a low profile, but has been visibly involved in asking for higher taxes for schools, both with and without voter approval.

Click here to see an apparent press release MCSO issued December 19, 2003, asking state legislators to support increases in school funding.

March 22, 2004, shortly after seven of eight tax increase requests in McHenry County were defeated in the March 16, 2004, primary election, MCSO held a press conference. In attendance were all 18 superintendents, several school board members, leaders of referendum support groups, State Senator Pamela Althoff, and State Representatives Jack Franks and Rosemary Kurtz.

Speakers at the press conference included:

- George Zimmer, Superintendent of Nippersink District 2. While the US economy was tanking, Zimmer didn't notice. His 2003 salary was $159,742 -- up 74% over five years earlier. Zimmer lives in southern Wisconsin, not in McHenry County, but wants to raise the taxes of McHenry County residents.

- John Hill, Superintendent of Fox River Grove, District 3. Hill made $128,075 in 2003. District 3 had the only referendum that passed in March, 2004, by a total of 50 votes. One possible reason for the successful tax increase was Hill's work. At the press conference he related stories about going door-to-door in the district persuading people to raise their own taxes.

- Jan Thietje, director of CORE4Kids. Thietje encouraged districts that didn't have an active tax increase referendum support group to start one, and that CORE4Kids was there to support those groups.

The floor was briefly opened for questions. When asked what MCSO was doing to address school *spending*, no one had much to say. The only response came from John Hill, possible factor in District 3's successful tax increase: "I respectfully disagree with you."

The March 22, 2004 press conference was held on a regular school day. Why were these school administrators politicking during what was clearly compensated time?

Click here to see the Northwest Herald's article about the March 22, 2004, MCSO press conference.

MCSO has been less than forthcoming about saying what they are up to. Although its membership wields arguably the most influence in the entire "public" school system in McHenry County, the group says it is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, claiming to not be a public body. Click here for information. Are we to believe this group does not meet at taxpayer-supported facilities, does not use taxpayer-funded resources, and does not conduct any business on compensated time?

For more information on these web pages or to submit examples of election interference in your district, contact Citizens for Reasonable and Fair Taxes.

CRAFT believes public school funds or resources should *not* be used to educate the public on political issues.

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