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Tonight: Skate Park Vote, Parents To Speak Out Against Halloween Ban

Skokie-Morton Grove School District 69 will be hosting an important meeting tonight at Madison Elementary. The school board is expected to vote on a proposed skate park and many parents are gearing up to speak out against the recent Halloween ban at D69.

By George Slefo
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October 16, 2012

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It just might be the biggest board meeting in Skokie-Morton Grove School District 69 history. On the agenda are two hot-button issues: The recent banning of Halloween without community input and a proposed skate park to be built on Lincoln Junior High property.

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It just might be the biggest board meeting in Skokie-Morton Grove School District 69 history. On the agenda are two hot-button issues: The recent banning of Halloween without community input and a proposed skate park to be built on Lincoln Junior High property.

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It just might be the biggest board meeting in Skokie-Morton Grove School District 69 history.

On the agenda are two hot-button issues: The recent Halloween ban that passed without community input and the vote on a proposed skate park to be built on Lincoln Junior High property.

For the skate park, board members will be voting tonight on whether or not it should be built at the proposed location, Lincoln Junior High. There are a variety of mixed feelings about the skate park. Many say it will generate revenue to nearby businesses and deter skaters from practicing tricks on public property. On the other hand, there are those that think it will increase crime. And finally, some are for the skate park, but simply do not want it built on Lincoln Junior High property. That camp is asking for the facility to be built at one of Skokie's many parks.

The Skokie Park District has said in the past that a skate park is something residents have wanted for years. (See previous coverage below.)

Halloween ban

Meanwhile, parents and residents alike were outraged when District 69 Superintendent Quintin Shepherd decided to ban Halloween celebration without mass community input. Shepherd said in the past that there was no point in holding community meetings to hear what residents thought. He has since changed his stance and is now open to feedback.

Shepherd cited religious and economic reasons for making the decision.

After Patch reported about the ban, an online petition to reinstate the holiday started. At time of publication, more than 400 signatures have been captured.

There was also a Patch poll that asked readers what they thought about the ban. More than 300 comments were posted, many questioning the district's decision.

Where and when is tonight's meeting?

Skokie-Morton Grove School District 69 will have an open board meeting on Oct. 16 (tonight) at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was moved to Madison's Multi-Purpose Room to accommodate the expected large turnout, a district employee told Patch.

The address is 5100 Madison St., Skokie.

Patch will be at tonight's meeting covering both topics.

Catch up on previous coverage -

Skate park stories -

Halloween stories -

See all of our Halloween coverage for Skokie as a whole here

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