Committee to Preserve River Forest Schools Supports District 90 Need for Referendum

December 20, 2006 - A group of River Forest citizens has mobilized to support the December 19 announcement by District 90 to request a 27.5-cent increase in the Education Fund. The Committee to Preserve River Forest Schools is co-chaired by Sue Foran and Amy McCormack, both active in District 90 school activities and long time residents of River Forest.

"The outcome of the March 21, 2006 referendum has tremendous consequences for all village residents," said McCormack. "Due to state mandated tax caps, school districts have to raise funds through a referendum approved by voters. Sound fiscal management allowed the District 90 school board to extend funds three years beyond what was projected from the 1998 referendum. A referendum is necessary to preserve the excellence both of the schools and the community."

The District 90 Board of Education voted last night to place a referendum on the March 21, 2006 ballot that will seek an increase in the Education Fund levy by 27.5 cents per $100 equalized assessed valuation (EAV).

Sue Foran is a 12-year resident of River Forest. She's served as Willard and Roosevelt PTO president, served on the District 90 Diversity Committee and chaired the 2002 District 90 Community Caucus. In addition, she's served on the River Forest Youth Soccer Board and on a variety of boards at her local church. Foran worked for AT&T as an account executive for 18 years before retiring in 1999.

Amy McCormack has lived in River Forest for nearly 10 years. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and practiced labor and employment law for a number of years before entering the legal search field. She is currently president of McCormack Schreiber Legal Search, an attorney search firm in Chicago. In addition, McCormack has served in various capacities on the Willard and Roosevelt PTOs. She has been an active volunteer with numerous community organizations, including the Oak Park Women's Guild, Amity, West Suburban PADs and the Cara Program.

The Referendum Committee

In addition to McCormack and Foran, the referendum committee includes: Brian Allan, Bill Bower, Eileen Bower, Kathleen Brand-White, Anne Brennan, Margie Cekander, Karen Dale, Sally DelBeccaro, Ken Gaebler, Ellen Hanson, Patty Henek, Sue Kelty, Patty McEnaney, Alison Nelson, Anne Pepper, Terrie Rayburn, Catherine Trage, John Trage, Liz Tinkham, Tina Weinheimer, Gardi Wilks, and Lynn Zurowski.

Other residents who are interested in assisting in the referendum campaign are invited to contact Foran at 488-0296 or McCormack at 488-1645.