Chicago Area Local News

  Rev. James Meeks, an Illinois state senator, has asked parents of Chicago Public Schools students to keep their kids out of school on the first day of class and instead send them to register at New Trier High School in Winnetka as a protest of disparities in school funding. CPS says having students ditch would cost them vital funding. We wanted to know what you think of Meeks' protest idea. Here's what you had to say:

I'm not sure what Rev. Meeks protest would accomplish...but,I do have a question. I thought that the state lottery funded education along with property tax? What percent of lottery monies goes to fund education in the state of Illinois? And, how is it divided-up? --Lisa Maurizi, Chicago

It is not going to accomplish anything except kids will feel it's O.K. to ditch school the first day. The kids from Chicago will not be able to register in Winnetka or any other suburban school district because they are not a resident of the suburban school district. --M. McCarthy, Downers Grove

Any parent that wants to send their kids to new trier can do so with no problem , MOVE TO WINNETKA ! Thats what makes this country so great, You choose where to live and thats where your kids go to school! --Mike G., Mokena

I personally think it is a good idea. Chicago Public Schools whether it is elementary or high school are lacking in funding and quality. As the mother of a child for whom I have to pay for private school in order for her to get an education I stand behind Rev. James Meeks. In a fair world, we should not have to pay for our children to attend private school or a school in a different district but we do and its not fair. --Mickey, Chicago

I feel that this whole protest idea will not teach the students anything about the different school systems. The difference in money and funding is due to the high property taxes coming from the residents who live in the area. They pay much more for their children to be able to go to New Trier, much more than taxes in the city. Also, New Trier according to your own statistics gets less funding from the state already than the city does. This idea would not work especially since enrolling on day one could not possibly happen especially with New Trier's already high student body of 3,300+ students. --Conrad Scully, Winnetka

From what I understand, we all pay property taxes that are supposed to reflect the value of our homes and then a % of that is directed to the schools in their district. Didn't chicago and reassess the taxes on properties in Chicago? I know from just talking to people who have homes in the South Side of Chicago pay lesser taxes than I do and their homes are being sold for more than what mine is valued at. Is that fair? I think the whole process of property taxes and the division of them needs to be greatly revised. NOW do i have an opinion of the protest idea of Rev. Meeks. I think that the message will be lost due to the fact that the first day of school is just a cluster of teachers/parents/kids trying to figure out thier schedules. Just a nasty idea for him to have the school waste money with all the extra paperwork and employees, not to mention to the city with police. I think he should try another form of protest. --Rae S., Monee

I attended Chicago Public Schools through the 60's. My class at Senn HS was one of the first to have to endure mandatory busing. As bad as things were, both black and white students managed to become doctors and lawyers. CPS's own George Dewey Glenn, a black man, was part of that first incoming class as was Dr. Sam Schwartz, a Jewish kid from lake Shore Drive. I barely got out of school but managed, with no help from anyone, to open my own business. It seems to me that education starts in the home. I think Reverend Meeks would be better served if he started with the parents. I am positive that both Sam and George's parents were pretty adamant about the work ethic of their children. Unfortunately, my parents were not and I had to struggle for years. And that struggle is basis of my devotion to the education of my children. That should be the challenge that Reverend Meeks put out there. And, by the way, my kids went to school at New Trier and, yes, money does surely make a difference but, clearly, the commitment of the parents and peer pressure are the major difference. Reverend Meeks ought to take a look at Chicago's magnet schools and try to figure out how to advance the progression of that model..it seems to be working rather well right in the city. --Jay, Wilmette

I will never understand what these ministers think they will gain with all these marches and protests. This is an AWFUL idea - all that's going to happen is that the kids will be turned away...they can't register at New Trier - they DON'T live in that district-DUH! What good will missing the first day of school do for these students? Who pays for the buses? Some of these ministers get on my last nerve! Go back to your pulpit and quick causing trouble- and Meeks, THAT means YOU!! --LynnC, Chicago

I think if he wants CPS students to learn like the kids in the suburbs they need to raise taxes. Since the suburbs pay twice or more in taxes for schools. --Dan, Bolingbrook

How dare he . You know, if people wanted to pay the outrageous North Shore taxes, they would move there! I live on the South Side like a lot of people because property was a little cheaper. However--my property tax on my little condo is $4500 a year because its new construction --while my neighbor has an entire greystone for far less in tax. They always want more money for underpriviledged areas. The problem is not money....its lack of respect for education within the black community. Lack of respect for teachers, lack of respect for oneself--which leads to having kids in the classroom who want to learn and act right when they are in the classroom. --Candice Mathers, Chicago

I support Rev. Meeks 100%. A major change needs to happen with funding for education now. If lawmakers won't do it, then the children should be able to attend school in districts that are well funded. --Sarah, Chicago

Once again, Rev. Meeks is asking parents to take a radical approach without fully thinking of the consequences that will effect the children. I think it is a bad idea. --Caryn Gillespie, Chicago

Something must be done now! The situation is critcal and this protest should highlight the problem to a larger audience. Hopefully some good will come of it. --Dwight Gunn, Chicago

Funding is very important for Chicago Public Schools, but having the children in schools is more important. We should not jeopardize our children's safety and education by keeping them out of school on the first day. Also, I do not believe it is fair to disrupt the first day of school at New Trier High School. --James Eng, Chicago

I think this is what has to be done in order to get the point across of how unfair and inadequate the school system in Chicago is for poor and less fortunate children. It is an extreme problem that has to have an extreme solution. --Jamell, Chicago

Jay, It is a really stupid idea. He is just grand standing. New Trier starts school on August 21, so if he wants his students to get a New Trier education they need to be there two weeks earlier! Now, CPS may not do much on the first day of school so no big deal, but New Trier will be into its second week and it is not a blow off day. He'll be hurting New Trier! --Peter Frank

I think that it is not good because you have to live in the area that you register for school. So what is the point? --Crystal, Chicago

I object to the remark made by the newscaster, "After all, how much work do they do on the first day." As a teacher, I can tell you I begin teaching from the first day. The first day of school sets the tone for the the rest of the year, and the foundation for procedures and rules are as important as the instruction. Rev. Meeks makes an excellent point, and its time for Chicago residents to realize how much waste there is in the bureaucracy of both the government and the school system. --M. Matthews, Oak Forest

Sets a very bad example for school going children. --Charles Dreher, Chicago

The residents of Winnetka pay high taxes on their homes, which in turn pays the school taxes and now Rev. Meeks wants non-tax paying, non-residents to attend New Trier High School?? Cross district busing didn't work 35 years ago and it won't work now, and strong arm, shakedown tactics won't work or change anything. --Penny, Buffalo Grove

I think it's a great idea. Anything we can do to bring to light the inequalities between the types of education students receive based on where they live is a step forward. --Lisa Lang, Chicago

I think it's great. All school children should have the same opportuntity be get a good education. --Lucille, Bellwood

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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