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April 19, 2024

Lincoln Way School District 210 – Coach Ernst gets “free” yard mowing at rental house –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On March 1, 2016

Lincoln Way D210 –

We finally confirmed that the school district owned house where Coach Ernst has taken up homestead for perhaps one of the least expensive rental homes in the area, thanks to the taxpayers, is also provided with free lawn care courtesy of D210 taxpayers.

So he gets $500 per month rent AND never has to do any yard work like mowing, raking , weed eating, etc.

According to Assistant Superintendent Sawin, the Brickman Group is contracted for yard maintenance and added it to their list without without changing what they pay them.

Mr. Kraft,
In response to your request, the company that maintains our lawns – the Brickman Group – added the cutting of that grass to their work at our West High School. In doing so, they did not change what we pay for the work they do at that location.
Ron
Ronald R. Sawin
Assistant Superintendent — Business
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210

That’s fine and dandy, but don’t you think the rent should be increased since the yard maintenance is not the responsibility of the renter?

How much would a person normally pay to have someone mow an approximate 1 acre lot?

Is this being reported as income on Ernst’ income taxes?

Is the Brickman Group providing this “service” to other employees where they live?

Could this be considered an improper gift from a prohibited source?

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9 Comments
  • pops
    Posted at 15:16h, 01 March

    Probably would cost $500.00 a month to maintain.

  • David
    Posted at 16:04h, 01 March

    So the Head Football coach gets a sweetheart deal on a rental property. Coach Ernst pays only $500 rent – all other expenses are picked up by Lincoln-Way school district i.e. the taxpayers. Gas, electricity, property taxes, lawn maintenance (possibly snow removal?) all paid by the District 210. Since there is no lease, Coach Ernst can leave at any time. This property is NOT a shack. Wish I could get rental acre lot with a house for $500 month with all utilities included.

    • Kirk Allen
      Posted at 08:28h, 23 March

      Actual payments reflect he was living there for $250 a month or less. Cant seem to get an answer when he actually moved in, which if it was prior to his first payment as we have been told then he was living there for less than $250 a month.

  • Parent
    Posted at 18:02h, 01 March

    THIS IS DISGUSTING! I hope criminal charges are filed against those that CONTINUE to rape the taxpayers. Shame on the coach for having his hand in the cookie jar as well. BOE should remove him from the property immediately.

  • tax payer
    Posted at 18:14h, 01 March

    I agree with what you are saying but to hammer the teacher for taking a deal that anyone would love to have to me is not right….210s board and administration are the ones wrong

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 18:26h, 01 March

      All of them are wrong.

    • Stupid Coach
      Posted at 20:51h, 01 March

      The coach is 100% in the wrong. All the teachers and staff know the financial issues the district is facing. It’s not a secret. First of all, I’m sure it was the coaches idea! It’s not like LW randomly asked people if they wanted to rent it. The coach probably approached Tingley or Sawin to rent it. Secondly, he had to of known how stupid of an idea that is. Don’t mix business with pleasure. No reason to live where you work. That’s stupid on many levels.

      Also, he makes over six figures. Why does he need a LW house for dirt cheap. Many of us make it work on a 30k salary, and we rent properly and live within our means. Hope the coach isn’t a math teacher….

      Stupid. All so stupid.

  • Laura Ettema
    Posted at 21:00h, 22 March

    Whose property was it to begin with and how did the district get the property? I am sure there is more to this story that most do not know – do some more investigating and please stop dragging this man’s name through the mud. He is an incredible man that cares deeply for this district and more importantly for his students. This group is not giving all the facts behind this story and I am saddened that our community members just blindly accept what they read as truth.

    • Kirk Allen
      Posted at 08:25h, 23 March

      The property was purchased for $110,000.00. Who it was purchased from has no relevancy to the information. Laura, this article is not about the person renting it. Its about the school and their failure in even applying the most basic fiscal principals on behalf of the taxpayer. You claim we are not giving all the fact? Please, tell us what we have failed to report on this matter? We have never raised the issue regarding the renter and his ability as a man or teacher. This was about the school providing what appears to be a favored nation status to a person in direct conflict with the law.

      Please, lay out the truth you claim we are not telling.

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