March 2008 UPDATE:  The jury determined the fair market value of the land is $14.2 million.

CLICK HERE FOR A TIMELINE FROM THE VILLAGE OF WOODRIDGE.

MAY 2007 UPDATE:  The court has decided that the Village of Woodridge has the statutory authority to condemn the land.  Now, it's only a matter of what the property is worth. 
September 2006 UPDATE:  On September 14, 2006, Woodridge offered $10,000,000 for the property, which is $800,000 over the latest appraisal (see offer), which is the same amount that Woodridge offered back on October 7, 2004.  District 99 rejected the offer, saying the property was "not for sale" (see rejection)  However, click here for a District 99 press release from April 12, 2005 wherein they "agreed to offer the 45-acre property for sale."

Let your elected officials know your opinion:
Click here to send an email to the District 99 Board of Education.
Click here to send an email to the Woodridge Village Board.

04-11-08 - "Bond issue prepared despite appeal"
04-10-08 - "District 99 to appeal land valuation"
04-04-08 - "Woodridge prepares bond issue for District 99 property"
03-25-08 - "Jury sets value of school property in Woodridge at $14.2 million"
03-20-08 - "Trial under way to set value of District 99 land"
11-01-07 - "Trial date moved in land dispute, district still opposes decision"
11-01-07 - District 99 press release
06-07-07 - "School District loses a round in legal battle" - click here for the decision
05-30-07 - "Judge refuses to dismiss District 99 land suit"
04-11-07 - "Woodridge has offered fair price for school lot" - response to Greenwood
04-06-07 - "Incumbents waste money in land issue" - response to Greenwood
04-03-07 - "District 99 incumbents not showing leadership"
03-29-07 - "Board member Craig Greenwood explains District 99 $44 million demand"
10-18-06 - "District 99 hiding behind cowardly argument"
10-06-06 - "Woodridge's $10 million offer for land rejected by District 99"
10-05-06 - "Woodridge objects to Protection Order, but will not appeal"
09-19-06 - District 99 rejects the offer, saying the property is "not for sale."  Click here for a District 99 press release from April 12, 2005 wherein they "agreed to offer the 45-acre property for sale."
09-14-06 - Woodridge offers $10 million for the property ($800k over latest appraisal).
03-03-06 - "Policy changes spark debate in District 99"
11-25-05 - "District 99 looks to '06 capital projects"
09-22-05 - "Woodridge, District 99 searching for common ground"
09-16-05 - "Woodridge must make market value offer"
09-07-05 - "Let's demolish North, sell off valuable land"
09-02-05 - "Mediation is the best path to peg parcel's value"
08-26-05 - "Dist. 99. should agree to negotiate land sale"
08-26-05 - "District 99 is 500-pound gorilla"
08-24-05 - "Woodridge continues to push for mediation"
08-19-05 - Click here for Walter Jacobsen's Perspective on Fox Chicago
08-18-05 - "District 99 says it needs land"
08-17-05 - "Indecision over land angers residents"
08-15-05 - District 99 Board of Education meeting agenda
08-12-05 - "District 99 meeting full of promise for Murphy"
08-05-05 - "Agreement on property needed to be in writing"
08-05-05 - "Picnic targets awareness of Woodridge open space" - PHOTO
07-29-05 - "Sell Dist. 99 land to Woodridge"
07-29-05 - "Dist. 99 lacks concern for development costs"
07-22-05 - "Woodridge property stalemate continues"
07-08-05 - "Woodridge green space must be preserved"
07-08-05 - "Senior housing would be good fit for land"
07-08-05 - "Control of development is real issue in land flap"
07-08-05 - "Dist. 99 officials must do the right thing"
07-01-05 - "Two exceptions taken to District 99 article"
06-29-05 - "District 99 land must remain open for all"
06-24-05 - "District 99 must talk to Woodridge officials"
06-24-05 - "District 99 land represents the heart of Woodridge"
06-24-05 - "Keep it green" - PHOTO
06-23-05 - "Woodridge residents voice concerns to District 99"
06-23-05 - "District 99 should act in the best interests of all"
06-23-05 - "I would like to correct the misconceptions of Bruce Beckman"
06-23-05 - "Open, green land my become a rare sight"
06-20-05 - summary of June 20, 2005 District 99 Board meeting
06-17-05 - "Dist. 99 Board, listen to residents regarding land"
06-17-05 - "Ads run by District 99 viewed as insulting"
06-17-05 - "Posturing obscures vital issue in Dist. 99 land flap"
06-17-05 - "Demand Dist. 99 Board listen to the people"
06-17-05 - "Woodridge Mayor, District 99 talking - at least on paper"
06-15-05 - "Yard signs, ribbons posted to convey message to District 99"
06-15-05 - "Citizen's group asks for real dialogue"
06-10-05 - "Marchers send message to District 99" - PHOTO
06-08-05 - "Resident planning march on District 99"
06-08-05 - response from Murphy to Beckman
06-08-05 - letter from District 99's Julia Beckman to Woodridge Mayor Murphy
06-08-05 - "District 99 land could have multiple uses"
06-03-05 - "Residents organize over Dist. 99 land" - PHOTO
06-02-05 - "As District 99 seeks other bidders, Mayor casts doubts on zoning"
06-01-05 - "Negotiate, not litigate, in District 99"
05-27-05 - "Village condemns District 99 land"
05-27-05 - "Schools, Woodridge at odds over land"
05-25-05 - "Woodridge files suit against District 99"
05-24-05 - "Leadership?"
05-24-05 - "District 99 land mess"
05-23-05 - copy of condemnation complaint filed in DuPage County court
05-20-05 - "Woodridge Village Board Authorizes Taking of Property"
05-20-05 - "District 99 land facing possible condemnation"
05-19-05 - my quote from the Village Board meeting
05-19-05 - "District 99's Proposal for 202 Multi-Family Units on 45-acre site"
05-18-05 - "Board to consider condemnation of District 99 property"
05-17-05 - E-mail from District 99 resident William Vollrath
05-12-05 - "Condemnation of 45-acre site to be considered"
05-06-05 - "District 99 says it will comply with land pact"
05-04-05 - "Woodridge Property - Right of First Refusal"
04-29-05 - copy of 1978 letter; copy of District 99 Board of Education minutes
04-29-05 - "Paperwork shows District 99 knew of 1st refusal"
04-28-05 - "District 99 will seek appraisal for Woodridge property"
04-22-05 - "District 99 raises student fees"
04-22-05 - Press Release from the Village of Woodridge
04-21-05 - "District 99, Woodridge discuss sale of property"
04-20-05 - "District 99:  Woodridge lacks right of first refusal"
04-15-05 - "District 99 Reneges On 30+ Year Commitment"
04-15-05 - "Change must come to District 99"
04-15-05 - "District 99 agrees to sell Woodridge property"
04-14-05 - "District 99 critics say they won't quit"
04-14-05 - "District 99 will sell Woodridge land"
04-13-05 - "District 99 agrees to offer property for sale"
03-25-05 - :"District 99 cuts teachers, support staff"
03-23-05 - "District 99 lays off 29 employees to trim budget"
03-09-05 - "District 99 tackles Woodridge parcel in closed session"
03-04-05 - "District 99 approves larger class sizes"
02-15-05 - "District 99 board weighs tough decisions in budget review"
02-09-05 - "District 99 must make staff cuts by March"
02-02-05 - "Input sought from residents about District 99 cuts"
01-26-05 - "District 99 looks at staff cuts next fall"
01-14-05 - "Dist. 99 athletic, club fees may double next year"
01-12-05 - "Dist. 99 OKs massive cuts"
12-15-04 - "District 99 will skip April ballot effort"
12-09-04 - "District 99 commissions in-depth analysis of Woodridge site."
12-08-04 - "Thank you to Citizens for 99 Committee"
12-08-04 - "District 99 examines options for Woodridge land"
12-05-04 - "Perks in need of retirement"
12-01-04 - "Thankful for all input regarding District 99"
11-25-04 - "District 99 forms committee to study Woodridge site"
11-24-04 - "District 99 needs to face real financial problems"
11-24-04 - "Hopes District 99 heard residents votes"
11-17-04 - "District 99 eyes $3.2 million in budget cuts"
11-17-04 - "Citizens encourage Dist. 99 to take actions before cuts"
11-17-04 - "Give District 99 an earful"
11-10-04 - "10-steps to fiscal health" by the CRS group.
11-10-04 - "School District 99 reviews options for Woodridge site"
11-05-04 - "Picking up the pieces"
11-04-04 - "Voters reject District 99 referendum"
11-03-04 - "Election statement from Citizens for Responsible Solutions"
11-03-04 - "Residents nix plans for tax hike in District 99"
11-02-04 - The referendum was defeated 31,463 to 14,341 (68% to 32%)
11-02-04 - "Responsible Citizens will VOTE NO for Dist. 99 tax hike"
10-29-04 - "Woodridge heightens land pressure"
10-29-04 - "Questioning the use of Dist. 99 referendum funds"
10-29-04 - "Accountability needed before spending money"
10-29-04 - :"Fiscal madness must end in School District 99"
10-29-04 - "District 99 has ranked high in programs, teaching"
10-29-04 - "School District 99 increase is reasonable, necessary"
10-27-04 - "Referendum brews up controversy for residents"
10-27-04 - "Time to call for fiscal responsibility in District 99"
10-27-04 - "District 99 needs to work harder at budget process"
10-27-04 - "Save Woodridge residents, pass District 99 referendum"
10-27-04 - "District 99 referendum endorsed by League of Women Voters"
10-27-04 - "District 99 deserves support"
10-24-04 - Details of Dist. 99 Superintendent Eblen's employment contract.
10-22-04 - "Dist 99 supporters say Woodridge Mayor trying to blackmail schools"
10-22-04 - "Seeking tax rate in Dist. 99 is prudent thing to do"
10-22-04 - "Vote yes to protect learning environment in Dist. 99"
10-21-04 - "Resolution 77-2004 encouraging additional fiscal planning by District 99"
10-20-04 - "School referendum cause for pause"
10-20-04 - "Dist. 99 plans to discuss Woodridge parcel"
10-20-04 - "Dist. 99 referendum reasonable and necessary"
10-19-04 - "Seniors, unemployed, underemployed, etc. cannot afford higher taxes"
10-15-04 - "Woodridge board considers next move in Dist. 99 land saga"
10-15-04 - "Sad day if residents do not support District 99"
10-15-04 - "School District 99 needs to tap into current assets"
10-13-04 - "Woodridge pushes harder for land" - PHOTO
10-13-04 - "District 99 board actions erratic, cannot continue"
10-13-04 - "Get behind school districts, vote yes for District 99"
10-12-04 - Click here for a "Mis-information Alert" from CRS. 
10-12-04 - Click here for an email Letter to the Editor.
10-10-04 - "More Money + Poor Management = Quality Education?"
10-08-04 - Click here for a list of salaries in District 99 (2002-2003).  The average admininstrator's salary is $125,382 and the average teacher's salary is $73,630.
10-08-04 - "Anti-referendum group disputes Dist. 99 finances" - (correction)
10-07-04 - Click here for a letter from the Village and Park District to District 99.
10-06-04 - "Group formed to inform on District 99 referendum"
10-06-04 - "Disappointed by coverage of District 99 meetings"
10-02-04 - "Control spending and use idle resource before hiking taxes"
10-01-04 - "Dist. 99 voter groups take opposing sides"
09-30-04 - "Citizens group attacks referendum"
09-29-04 - "Questioning the definition of quality education"
09-22-04 - "Krajewski: Dist. 99 needs hike"
09-15-04 - "Delay over Woodridge parcel angers mayor"
09-15-04 - "Dist. 99 board is greatest danger to education"
08-25-04 - "District 99 should explore land sale"
08-18-04 - "Woodridge parcel may be referendum key"
07-23-04 - "Dist. 99 referendum push advances"
04-28-04 - "Citizens unjustly labeled"


District 99 land Woodridge open space 45 acres center
District 99 has proposed to turn the above open space into this:
by disregarding this agreement from 1978:
Woodridge offered $10 million for the property in Sept 2006
District 99 rejected the offer, saying the property was "not for sale"
...despite offering the land for sale in April 2005
District 99 Board Member Craig Greenwood says District 99 wants $44 million for the land (which is $34 million more than two appraisals on the property).
DISTRICT 99
LAND ISSUE