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Schools

District 231 Says it Would Never Donate to a Political Campaign

Bloom Trail High School in Chicago Heights donated to a local mayor using money from the school's vending machines.

Should a school district be donating money to a political campaign?

That's the question raised by a south suburban school district's contributions to a local mayor with money earned through the school's pop machines. Whether those donations are illegal, or merely unethical, depends on how you interpret "public funds" under state law.



District 206 Supt. Glen Giannetti told Patch he made the contributions, and that he sees nothing wrong with using the money this way because vending machine revenue is a "discretionary fund." But it's possible the superintendent could be violating the State Election Code or the 2003 Ethics Act — or both.

In light of this report, we decided to ask our Dr. M. Elizabeth Hart, superintendent of Evergreen Park Community High School District 213, how D231 uses its vending machine revenue and whether it would donate to a local political campaign.

"District 231 would never donate to a political campaign," said Hart.

The school district hasn't donated to any political campaigns, according to the State Board of Elections.

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Hart said, "I think superintendents need to be very careful about that and not choose one political party or candidate over the other in the community in which they work."

District 231's pop machine contract is with Coca-Cola, bringing in "approximately $300-$400 per month" during the school year. This discretionary income, Hart said, is used for student needs, such as the Straight A Breakfast and the Mustang Pride Breakfast.

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School cafeteria services are contracted to Lombard, Ill.-based Quest Food Management Services, the same company that operates food vending machines for Evergreen Park Community High School District 231. One vending machine, however, is  owned by the Athletic Boosters club, said Hart, and takes in about $200 per month during the school year. That money is used solely for athletics, she said.

Hart said she believes "any school monies, including discretionary income, should never be used for political campaigns." According to her, "the only discretionary money is the vending machine money." The school administrators decide how to spend discretionary income.

Want to know more? Read about the requirements of state law and the questionable Bloom Trail donations in Christopher Paicely's report: 


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