Mokena SD 159 to hold fundraiser carnival
BY GINGER BRASHINGER For The Herald-News April 27, 2012 6:50PM
Updated: May 30, 2012 8:03AM
MOKENA — Still plagued by financial woes, the Mokena School Board has approved a fundraiser carnival to be held from May 17 to 20 at Mokena Elementary School, 11244 Willowcrest Lane.
Big H Amusements, based in downstate Fairbury, will provide about 20 rides and between eight and 15 concession and game trailers, according to community volunteer Bill Phelps. He said the amusement company will give 25 percent of ride and ticket revenue to the school district in addition to other revenue.
The board passed the measure by a 5-to-2 vote, with Kathy Moore and Scott Peters voting against it.
Moore said the board did not have enough information about what it would cost the district to hold the carnival. She said she had requested that the board get the information before the vote.
“We’re not prepared,” Moore said.
“I’m not against having this. I just think we’re rushing it.”
Peters said he was concerned about “a lot of intangibles” and that MES students might lose nearly a week of outdoor playtime because of the carnival’s presence.
Board member Patrick Markham said the carnival is being held during the school year because no other dates were available by the time a decision to explore the fundraiser was made.
He said if the event is held again, the district will choose a date after school lets out for the summer.
Board President John Troy said security and insurance issues and costs to the district are being addressed.
He also said the carnival is part of a board goal to increase community involvement with the schools.
“We’re working through this as best we can,” Troy said. “We can’t put a number on (costs/revenue) now, but I think the costs will be minimal.”
After the meeting, Troy said, “I totally expect whatever we make from it will cover the costs.”
District officials have predicted a $1 million budget deficit for this fiscal year.
