District transfers cost money and taxpayers must pay

After reading The Acorn's ar- ticle about meeting last year's (Oak Park School District) enroll- ment numbers by "increasing out of district students," we could not help but think how last year's tax increase was going to feed the dis- trict monster instead for focusing on the needs of the community. If they rent, lease or buy in Oak Park, all are welcome to enjoy the benefits our school district has to offer. As it stands now, 15 percent of the district is made up of trans- fer students. As Oak Park prop- erty values increase, new families are less likely to be able to afford these homes. Instead of $80 million initia- tives, maybe $20 to $50 million could be raised over the same pe- riod to accommodate our needs. We are willing to spend more per student if we educate those who are a part of the community. Please stop raising our taxes and filling the schools. This isn't a charity. Let's run it like it's serv- ing us. Our goal is to encourage a de- bate and allow the voters to decide what's best for the community. Daniel Bilchik and Phil Byrne Oak Park