Morton Pride

I was not born in Morton. I moved here in 1985. I grew up on the South Side of Peoria, a proud Manual Ram. When I moved here, I felt out of place. This is where the money is; not a place for a poor kid from the South Side, or so I thought.
My line of logic was faulty. Morton has welcomed me with open arms. After just a few years here I not only felt I belonged; I felt like I was a Mortonite all my life. Now I would never deny my roots are in Peoria, but my blossoms are here in Morton.
Morton is a great community with many assets those of us who live here tend to take for granted.
Our schools are among the best in the state!!! US NEWS & WORLD REPORT lists Morton High School as one of the nations "Best High Schools". (http://www.usnews.com/listings/high-schools/illinois/morton_high_school) Take a look at the school district report card and see how our district and students compare to state averages. http://www.morton709.org/uploads/documents/about_us/district_report_card.pdf If that doesn't make you proud of the school district nothing will.
I haven't forgotten the extra-curricular activities. What can be said about the high school band that hasn't been said already? Let's just call them "EXCELLENCE personafide". Not only on the field but in their actions when representing the school and community where ever they go. our high school and junior high athletic teams represent us well with championships in regionals sectionals and in some cases state championships.
Our students were complimented by John Hosier, Bobby Ross and Gary Jacobson visitors to our community when the "Wall That Heals' was in Morton last May. Each had nothing but favorable remarks concerning the conduct of our kids while they were visiting the wall. These men have been to similar exhibits throughout the country and none had seen a community in which the students were as respectful and interested in the wall as the students here in Morton.

There is some talk of closing Jefferson Grade School. My children went through Jefferson. I live two blocks from the school. What happens to the district and its report card if Jefferson is closed? NOTHING!!! The kids going to Jefferson would be split between Grundy and Lincoln . A new school would need to be built nearer the edge of our projected growth area.
Let's have a look at Jefferson. It is old. It does not conform to ADA. there is no way a student in a wheel chair can motivate the multiple levels inside the building. The costs to update Jefferson are not cost effective. There are rooms inside the building that get too hot to be considered comfortable for learning.
Yes there would be some students that currently walk to school that would need bussed due to redistricting. As it is now my house sits within walking distance of three of the four grade schools in town. Only Brown is out of reach.
with all of this in mind, it is time to at least look into the posibility of closing Jefferson Grade School for a new and better school for our excellent students.