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Walter's Perspective: Schools Wasting Money On Signs For Pols

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The first day of school and my lesson was how to spend the taxpayers' money promoting politicians by putting up signs at our public schools.

Like the one at Peter Cooper Elementary Dual Language Academy in Pilsen, touting our new mayor's new fire alarm upgrade project.

And the one at Moses Montefiore Special Elementary School in Pilsen about our new mayor's new school renovation project.

We may miss the projects, but no way we'll miss the politicians – Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) and Ald. Danny Solis (25th).

The eye catchers are being done by the Chicago Board of Education, which is $700 million in the red and cannot afford to raise the pay of teachers, but clearly – loudly and clearly – can afford to raise the profiles of politicians.

On the first day of school, the Board of Ed's first report card is a D- on the taxpayers' money, but an A+ for wasting it.

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