Fundraising Group Meets Goal for Memorial Lights, D87 Authorizes Bids

Correction: Mary Ozog voted against the bid authorization process at last night's meeting, along with Thomas Voltaggio. 

The Memorial Lights fundraising group was able to secure enough funds from the community, giving the go-ahead to school board members to authorize bids for the project. 

Glenbard Township High School District 87 vowed to hold off on the project until enough funds ($325,000) were collected, entirely by private donations, before putting the item on the agenda to begin the bid process. 

At Monday's school board meeting two board members, Thomas Voltaggio and Mary Ozog, voted against sending the project to the next phase.

"It's a significant culture change for this campus," said Voltaggio. He said the installation of two 60-foot and four 70-foot light poles at the turf field, located across from in downtown Glen Ellyn, is an imposition on the people living right next to the field. 

Mary Ozog, school board member, neighbor to the field and an outspoken opponent of lights, also voted against the bid process. Ozog is now focusing on establishing the advisory board before Sept. 1. When Glen Ellyn's project, there were a list of conditions the school district would have to follow. One of which was to establish an advisory board that would include community members, school officials; the goal being to make sure the rules surrounding the lights would be followed. 

Chris McClain, assistant superintendent for business purposes, said so far the project is on schedule. If all continues to go according to plan the lights will be installed before the 2012-2013 school year. 

Editor's Note: Mary Ozog voted against the bid authorization process at last night's meeting, along with Thomas Voltaggio.