By Jack Roeser

Editor's note: Cambridge Lakes is a subdivision in Pingree Grove, Illinois, that will, when completed, consist of 3700 homes. The developers have also constructed a charter school, which is now open and currently has approximately 500 K-8 students. It will eventually be built out to 1,000 students. This second letter to the teachers was sent June 23, 2008.

Dear Cambridge Lakes Charter School Teachers,

This letter presents facts and strategies that you will not get from the I.E.A. union, and are necessary for knowing why installing that union at Cambridge Lakes is not good for your career nor your students.

Why am I qualified to speak to you? Well, I provided the capital and legal fight to establish a once successful Thomas Jefferson curriculum charter school that was proposed by senior teachers from Dist. 59. Also, I became the moderator of key discussions between District 300 managers and the leadership team from Cambridge Lakes.

These discussions were successfully concluded because I urged both parties to forgo any further ultimatums and continue discussions because, "This Cambridge Lake proposal is too good for both parties."

The teachers from Dist. 59 were originally stymied by the "Catch 22" of the charter school law that says a charter school will not be issued unless a site is already available. Those teachers from Dist. 59 presented a vision that led me to invest $500, 000 out of my own pocket to buy a site to build the school. Also, I got a lawyer to solve the obstructive tactics of Dist. 59 and the I.E.A. all the way up to the Supreme Court, pro-bono!

Although the DuPage County Board approved the site, the hearings in Itasca were invaded by hundreds of union assembled protesters who frightened the zoning board into denying our right to use this land.

Fortunately, and unusually, a Chicago high school principal made space available for the Thomas Jefferson School. After several years of operation Governor Blagojevich summarily canceled the school.

The Cambridge Lakes builders have shown a very enlightened approach to providing a school for the increasing number of students arriving here. Notice that other builders set up a political fund over $250,000 urging a referendum to build schools with your money. This is what has caused the huge increase in everyone's real estate taxes. 

The Cambridge Lakes construction costs have not caused a tax increase. What it has caused is construction of a marvelous facility operating under fewer mandates so that the administration & teachers are free to make the most appropriate plans. Teachers should be pleased to have that professional opportunity instead of the regimented administration imposed by a powerful union contract. The union would put your school in the same controlled environment where there is less freedom and no recognition of the superior teacher.

A local reporter has written articles magnifying what are mostly personal problems and preferences.

That reporter isn't being fair, but has only managed to attract the I.E.A to become the 800lb gorilla.  Now is the time to be wise about where your long term professional advantage lies.

Once the union gets over 50% of signed cards they will proceed to a contract. The union contract is in one sense a "roach motel," once you go in you never get to come out.

Illinois is not a Right-To-Work state.  That means once the administration signs a union contract you must pay an initiation fee and yearly dues forever. Your school would be compelled by law to fire you if you fall out of grace with your union, or if for any reason you are not a member.

If you have already signed a card you should write a letter cancelling that. The I.E.A. knows this game very well, and you will be trapped before you know it if you don't protect yourself now.

You are involved in a great opportunity to excel in your profession, don't allow yourself to be put in a common herd.

Hopefully,

Jack Roeser - Chairman

Family Taxpayers Foundation