Christmas In Proviso 🎄🎁

When Christmastime rolls around, we typically think about spending time with family and friends, making memories and gift giving.

In D209, it's Christmastime all the time with all gifts the board gives itself. From crystal gavels and travel to succulent meals, the board surely knows how to live large. 

Let's take a deep dive into what the board spent on that's focused on anything but the students. 

Theresa received the most adulation, not surprisingly. 

I guess having a stadium named after her wasn't sufficient, so Henderson awarded her a letterman jacket ($464), a crystal gavel ($296.50) and an edible arrangement for her birthday ($241.71) - total of $1002.21. Board members Alexander and Patterson received crystal gavels as well.

Board member Wagner received a decanter set and an edible arrangement, which was intended for Sweetest Day.

Let's not forget the time the board wined and dined on an extravagant Gibson's meal at the Nov 2022 board meeting. The meal was not only $744.71, but the decorations purchased for a fancy meal were $454.84, for a grand total of $1199.55. 

On top of that, they kept the community waiting for hours only for the board meeting to end prematurely under the leadership of Della Patterson.

That crystal gavel she received certainly reflects her ability to govern with transparency and impartiality. I can't think of a more deserving individual that exemplifies such ideals.

The gravy train ended, fortunately, with the departure of Henderson. Henderson, in Oprah-like fashion, handed out gifts like they were going out of style. Moving forward, the board should reform its practices to prevent this waste that Nate Booker requested the board to investigate.