Latin School students are the most privileged in the entire city of Chicago. Our Latin experience fulfills the ambitious goal of fostering generations of greatness in our world. It rests on the most imperturbable foundations of Western civilization — in particular, the idea that supporting a democracy rooted in justice is the highest civic virtue.
That is why many Latin students, parents, faculty, and alumni may be unhappy to see how the school’s administration has employed political sleight-of-hand to secure a favorable contract for the soccer field in Lincoln Park. Back-room dealing and lying to the public have been the order of the day. There was no public knowledge of the deal until months after the contract was signed. Many neighbors feel betrayed, and thousands have filed petitions opposing it. (The school claims it already made a compromise in September, but that consisted primarily of two closed meetings where it decided to relinquish only 10% of the prime field time that it controls, leaving it with practically all of the time anyone else might be interested in using it.)
Latin students are the beneficiaries of a few powerful parents and politicians who quietly brokered this deal. Laird Koldyke, a Latin parent, sits on the Park District board, and appearance is of impropriety is unsettling. Some people are ashamed of this dubious public concession. Our school was given a virtual monopoly on some of Chicago’s most cherished public land. Even the park’s advisory council was not informed. With this trend of privatization, we erode the quality of public places and ransom the future.
Everyone is passing the buck. Aldermen Daley and Natarus denied prior knowledge of the transaction, though Latin School officials recently stated very clearly that they were repeatedly notified. Now, all parties involved claim that, since the contract is binding and construction has begun, their hands are tied.
A case in February in Manhattan showed a court there voiding a nearly identical contract. We have followed suit, literally, filing for our own temporary restraining order on April 16, 2008. (See media links below.)
(Incidentally, Dalton School is the main school that was slapped down in the Manhattan suit. In 1942, as a Dalton junior, my mother took charge of a student campaign that led to the resignation of the school’s world-famous headmistress, Helen Parkhurst. I myself played on Latin’s soccer team and am one of the coordinators of this campaign. One should never be ashamed of going head-to-head against one’s school administration, if it is clear that they are acting irresponsibly.)
And so, while a few leaders cringe behind these shameful walls of denial, it is left to the rest of us to be the adults in the room. I believe there are few if any people in the Latin community who feel morally certain that this project should continue on their behalf. And I believe that most in the Latin community think it’s wrong.
We are looking for 200 anonymous Latin School students, parents, and faculty to agree to participate in a school action this Spring, until Latin and the Park District stop construction and start the public review that should have governed this process. If you feel this is the right thing for Latin to do, if you are willing to become a crucial part of the movement already at work to change this situation, please sign up for this campaign.
When such a significant cross-section of the school’s constituency promises to do this, it will put enormous pressure on the school and the city and they will be forced to accede to it. Not doing this may be financially impractical for the school and would be politically devastating for both the school and the city.
We understand that some of you may feel uncomfortable doing this, for fear of being singled out in some way. That is why we are asking you to register for this action anonymously. When the group becomes 200 strong, nobody will even think of intimidating anyone, because we all have each other’s backs, and the community is already prepared to rally around you. But unless and until 200 from the Latin community join, your identity is protected.
Please also encourage friends from the Latin community to join this campaign, the sooner the better. Construction has already begun, and a lawsuit is being drafted. As our campaign develops, we also want to hear from prominent Latin alumni and neighbors who support the campaign. Please leave a message on the discussion board registering your support.
If any other students, faculty, or alumni are interested in participating in planning and organizing, please contact me.
—Peter Zelchenko ’80 (pete@zelchenko.com:pete@zelchenko.com) is a former Latin soccer fullback.
News articles
- Residents cry foul at soccer field. Chicago Tribune, Feb. 29, 2008, Metro p. 3.
- Residents file suit over Latin School soccer field under construction in Lincoln Park. Chicago Tribune, April 17, 2008, p. 3.
- Group sues over Lincoln Park soccer field. Chicago Sun-Times, April 17, 2008.
- Group sues Latin School over soccer field. Chicago Public Radio, April 17-18, 2008.
- Anti-Latin soccer field group files F.O.I. request. Inside, Feb. 13-19, 2008, p. 1
- Felicia Dechter, Can Latin’s soccer deal still be bounced? Chicago Journal, Feb. 13, 2008
- Deal over Randall’s Island sports field is voided. New York Times, Feb. 1, 2008.
- Felicia Dechter, Plea to halt Latin work falls on deaf ears. Skyline, Jan. 25, 2008 (original link).
- Jeff Borgardt, School soccer field lawsuit big possibility. Inside, Jan. 9-15, 2008, p. 1.
- Latin’s controversial athletic field. Inside, Dec. 26, 2007-Jan. 1, 2008, p. 9.
- Felicia Dechter, New group moves forward against Latin soccer field. Skyline, Dec. 7, 2007, p. 3
- Felicia Dechter, Latin field moves forward. Skyline, Nov. 9, 2007, p. 1, 7
- Greg Hinz, Latin School offers compromise on controversial field. Crain’s, Oct. 26, 2007
- September 21, 2007 Skyline
- Ben Joravsky, A Not-So-Level Playing Field. Chicago Reader, Sept. 7, 2007
- Greg Hinz, Latin hints it may compromise on Lincoln Park field. Crain’s, Aug. 24, 2007.
- Ben Joravsky, Soccer for Some. Chicago Reader, July 20, 2007.
Other links
- The Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public (A committee of Protect Our Parks)
- Public Policy at Issue with Latin School Soccer Field Plan. Friends of the Parks (www.fotp.org).
- Keep Lincoln Park Public (the 2002 opponents)
- About the Upper School
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