We're going to be looking at our highest-needs schools first.

We are going to be looking for additional resources. The superintendent (James A. Williams) does not want to have a Band-Aid approach.

It's terrible, but that's where we are right now. I'm very happy for the $1.2 million.

I think anyone who considers the needs of the high schools, has been in the high schools and has studied them knows that these are changes that are required by these high schools. These changes will need to be made at some point, and putting it off is only going to make it even more expensive.

We have a lot of needs in terms of things that are deficient in schools, such as deferred maintenance items. We tried to base the study on similar schools with similar facilities.

The park district also needs to be in a position to acquire land for new parks and schools. This is going to be of critical importance in the years to come. We're looking at tremendous growth over the next decade, and we have to stay ahead of that growth rather than trying to play catch-up.