Dear those protesting the closing of Lincoln-Way North,

Calm down. It's not as bad as you think.

With the Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 on Illinois' financial watch list as of 2015, the board is forced to close one of its four schools, Lincoln-Way North. The years of deficit spending that landed us in this situation can be traced back to former superintendent Lawrence Wyllie. He's accused of using student activity funds for random, personal expenses such as training for his dogs that took place on school property. That is OUR TAXPAYER money being used to teach cute little Sparky that he's supposed to pee outside.

Protests outside board meetings over the 2015-16 school year are not helping. The board has clearly made a decision, and no amount of angry parents are going to change their mind. If you're going to be angry about anything, voice your opinion about Dr. Wyllie's $312,000 pension. Lawrence, you seem to be cashing in the highest teacher's pension in the STATE.

What is very aggravating is that parents and students are saying things such as "student opportunities will be diminished". I am somewhat offended by this comment being a former Lincoln-Way Central student. Students of the Class of 2017 and on will be given the same and equal opportunities that they have always received in this school district. The only difference is that they may be wearing a blue uniform instead of a gold one next year.

Overall, the biggest problem I have is with all the people angry about the closing of Lincoln-Way North rather than another Lincoln-Way. Yes, I understand that it is a beautiful campus and does not have issues that Central does. Yes, I know that one of Central's hallway's floors are covered in mold. That is not the point and there is more to it than a pretty outside. This is a simple geographical debate. We are not going to argue about which school is newer or better. As the school board determined by taking a closer look at the territory that each school encompasses, Lincoln-Way North has a dense population that has stopped growing. Central is in the center of our district (hence the name) and can pull students from any direction.

One cause of the school's closing is the overestimation of the future student body. There are only 1,288 students enrolled at Lincoln-Way West because of this. Putting that number into perspective, neighboring school Victor J Andrew High School has an enrollment of 2,061. By closing North and having to reassign the boundaries for our schools, we will be fixing a long-lasting issue: students from the town of Manhattan pass West on their way to school at Central. Therefore, starting with the 2016-17 school year, Manhattan students will be attending West. Students of Mokena and New Lenox will make up Central, and the remaining Frankfort and Frankfort Square students will be attending East. This is a POSITIVE outcome, as now the three Lincoln-Way schools will have a similar enrollment number and will make more logical sense geographically.

Here are the current boundaries for District 210. You can click on the picture to visit the LW210 website. You can also view the district's financial documents.

By looking at positives that may come of the closing of Lincoln-Way North, we can stay together as a community in order to prevent further acts of desperation to keep the district alive.

Parents: Stop saying that your kids will be missing out on opportunities.

Lincoln-Way North: I'm sorry, but this will not be as bad as it seems. We have three other amazing schools that you will be attending.

Lincoln-Way West: Make room for Manhattan.

Lincoln-Way Central: Welcome former East students while still keeping the rivalry alive.

Lincoln-Way East: Stop being jerks.

School Board: Keep doing what you're doing and don't let angry parents get in your way.

Sincerely,

Mariah Sakellaris

Lincoln-Way Central Class of 2015

Go Knights!