Harvard Community Unit School District 50 Board
Being a business owner for over 40 years gives me a great deal of experience in finance, government regulations, decision making and adaptability. I have also worked with numerous community and school groups, often in leadership positions, and realize how important it is to be able to work with people whose opinions may differ.
The most important job of schools is to educate children. To do that, we have to continue the work that we have started in improving the curriculum. The needs of all students must be met beyond improving test scores. We need to prepare all levels of students for their future education and employment. Providing them with a safe and stimulating learning environment is also a priority. We need to accomplish this and still show our citizens that their tax money is being spent in a responsible and effective manner.
I would be in favor of it if we could also freeze the expense part of our budget. We can’t limit the income and have continually escalating costs and remain solvent. Not knowing what the State of Illinois is going to do to school funding, and the possibility that they are going to pass the pension expenses down to local taxpayers, could bankrupt any district. Add to that the number of Federal and State unfunded mandates that we also have to include in our budget, and you can see how difficult it is to promise lower taxes.
Although there have been decisions made by the entire board that I have not agreed
with, as in any democracy, the majority rules. It is important for board members to act as a board and wholeheartedly support the decisions that have been made by the group. We each base our decisions on our own life experiences, and we are never all going to agree completely with every choice that we have to make. A good board member can respect those differing opinions, learn from them, and go forward.
The re-evaluation of all district goals was a lengthy, but rewarding, process. We have used these goals to restructure the curriculum, realign job descriptions for staff, and assure that we have the proper tools in place to assess the progress. We have continued to employ top people in our district and we feel that having distinct goals for them will enable them to concentrate on doing the best job possible for our students.
I was first elected to the Harvard School Board in the 1970s when my children were in school and served for two+ terms. Since returning to the Board in 2004, my eyes have been opened to the increased demands that are made on our administrators, teachers, students, and taxpayers. The people of Harvard need sensible, forward-thinking, professional people to lead the district through these tough financial times. It is important to have both parents of students and people without children in the district, on the board, as we need that balance. I feel that I represent the majority of people in Harvard, who are genuinely concerned about the future of our city, and our country, and who realize the important role that schools play in assuring the future for all of us.
I have faithfully served on the Harvard Board of Education for two consecutive terms, since May of 2005. Currently I am serving as Secretary to the Board. During the last eight years I have continually taken educational classes offered through Illinois Association of School Boards and the Illinois State Board of Education. I have become a Master Board Member and an Illinois Association of School Boards Leadershop Academy Member. Both of these achievements require a lengthy process of training and are considered a high level of education to be attained. During my terms I have been an active member of various board committees and attended numerous school activities. I continue to stay up to date with the ongoing changes regarding the laws, policies and procedures within the public school system.
I believe in District 50s goals and continue to support greater student achievement. I also welcome and support any new opportunities for our students and staff that continues to reinforce a high level of achievement while remaining fiscally responsible.
This would be a difficult decision that I could only answer after extensive research from our district Director of Finance, information from the community in regards to their tax concerns, and research regarding the implications of such a freeze to our schools, staff and children.
As a school board member you are one of seven members elected by the community. All decisions made by the board have been done through majority votes. I abide by all majority decisions made by the Harvard Board of Education, while continuing to strive to make changes for the betterment of Harvard District 50.
The Harvard Board of Education has adopted new Strategic Goals as a guide for managing the district. We have, through the adapting of the new Strategic Goals, raised the expected level of achievement from our staff and children. We are requiring improved success in our district.
I am dedicated to Harvard Schools and its constituents that fiscally support our public school system. I strive for honesty, transparency, open communication, diversity and success within our district.
I’m currently in the fourth year of my first term. I have a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management with a minor in Marketing and a Master of Arts in English. Previous to being on the school board, I was a Vice President, Branch Manager at First Banking Center (now Talmer Bank and Trust) for four years and taught college composition classes at the College of Lake County and McHenry County College. I also taught composition classes at Northern Illinois University while working on my Master of Arts Degree.
I only have one priority: academic improvement.
Yes, I would support freezing D50’s taxing district’s levy. I don’t think it is unreasonable to ask a district to live within their citizens’ means.
I disagreed with the board decision to expand cheerleading to the competitive level. It wasn’t one of the top activities students were interested in and it didn’t add a new activity for different students. Instead, it created an additional activity for existing cheerleaders at an expensive price tag and we currently don’t have enough cheerleaders interested to fill the varsity competitive cheerleading squad. I felt it was a poor use of money and consequently, I did not vote for competitive cheerleading; however, part of being a board member is working with other members as a team, so once the decision has been made; it becomes the entire board’s voice.
The board’s biggest accomplishment over the past year was rewriting our district’s strategic goals and the superintendent evaluation of which I was chairperson for both committees. I am very excited with the board work on these endeavors and feel it is the first step in the long road ahead of us to work on the improvement of the district.
I am honest, professional, ethical and here to work with the D50 Superintendent and Board to improve the educational experience for all students in the district.
As a former Superintendent of Harvard School District 50 I have had the opportunity to work collaboratively with many Boards of Education over a 14 year period. The other 17 years were spent as a Principal of Central, Jefferson and the Harvard Junior High.
I believe that the majority of people, who know me, believe that I am a leader, trustworthy, honest, a steward of finance, hard working and that I am visible and approachable.
During my 31 years with District 50 I have had direct hands on experience with curriculum; staff development; school finance; Special Education; athletics and co-curricular activities; maintenance and custodial services; transportation; food service; grant writing; referendums and immersed in building additions, renovations and a new school.
I believe I understand the role of a School Board Member, having had the opportunity to work with many hardworking, dedicated and energetic Board Members. In addition, I have attended many informative workshops offered by the Illinois School Board Association, which has emphasized the Role of a School Board Member.
In summary, I believe I am a good Board of Education candidate, because of my experiences, knowledge of school operations, personality and desire to serve.
My top priority will be to study and support the Strategic Themes and Goals approved by the Board of Education on July 18, 2012. The five Strategic Themes are: Academic Achievement; Communication; Facilities and Learning Environment; Financial Stewardship and Board Development and Effectiveness.
Each of these five Strategic Themes has three to five Goals for mapping District Priorities and work for the school year. It will be my responsibility as a Board Member to support and monitor progress on these Strategic Themes and Goals and help determine what the Board can do to assist in the implementation and attainment of these Strategic Goals.
Another priority of mine is to be visible and approachable in the Schools and in the Community. The primary role of a School Board Member is Policy Setting and hiring the most qualified staff to administer and work with our children.
As a tax payer, I can see how this would be very appealing. But, this would be detrimental to the School District as a revenue source. The District’s costs do not stay the same from year to year.
The District has been subject to the Tax Cap since 1995. The Tax Cap limits the amount of new growth which can be taxed the first year to 5% or the CPI, whichever is the lesser of the two. In the past number of years, new growth has been virtually non-existent. The Equalized Assessed Value of the District is one third the Market Value of all properties within the School District. This figure is multiplied by the District’s Tax Rate to determine the Tax Dollars to be received by the District during the next Fiscal Year.
Since the District is under the Tax Cap, the School District must access what they can in order to stay close to the Tax Rate already approved by the Voters of the District. As a result of the Tax Cap, over the past seventeen years, the District has not been able to receive millions of dollars, which has been an appreciable Tax Break to their constituents.
Whenever a governing body makes a decision, controversial or not, the background facts that went into the vote are not always known to the public. I would need all of the facts, which in most cases, are protected by law and not able to be released to the public. The present Board of Education is making decisions, which they trust, are in the best interest of the students and the Community. Therefore, I believe that it is unfair for me to criticize decisions made by the current Board of Education.
I would say that moving forward with finalizing plans for the extensive renovations at Harvard High School and outfitting Jefferson School with a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
In 1999 the District had submitted a Grant Proposal for Construction Funds based on a formula that took into account all of the teaching stations in all of the five schools and their respective square footage. This resulted in an over or under Utilization Factor per building. All of the buildings resulted in an over Utilization Factor.
The passing of the November 4, 2008 Building Referendum to build a new Elementary Building was key to reducing the over crowdedness at Washington, Jefferson and the Junior High. With savings from the construction of Crosby Elementary, Central was renovated and four classrooms provided for at the High School.
The District’s ability to be moved up on the State Capital Development Board’s list for Construction Money for major projects was due to the fact that Crosby Elementary had been completed and the District had actual construction figures for the Capital Development Board to review and determine a Grant award figure of $13.8 million dollars for major capital development projects in the District.
I believe that former students, parents and community members would consider me to be honest, fair, diligent; passionate about student involvement and that I have the interest of the students at heart. I am willing to listen to others’ opinions and consider all facts and opinions before making decisions. My involvement in Community groups, Church and community activities have shown my desire to work for the betterment of the Community.
I believe that relationships built on trust are essential for the fervent pursuit of a common purpose. And to that end I will work diligently with the other six Board Members to accomplish our mission of providing the best possible education for our students.
In summary, I believe I am a good Board of Education candidate, because of my experiences, knowledge of school operations, personality and desire to serve Harvard School District 50 and the Community of Harvard.
Together, my wife Mary and I have raised five children. All, of which, attended public school systems. Each child is an individual and unique as to what motivates them to excel. I am a stakeholder in this community, this district and our children’s future. I have two children currently attending our school system. My wife and I have supported, as well as taken part, in many local fundraisers, food drives, Toys for Tots. Additionally, we have worked for concession stands, Castle Challenge, etc. I’m currently serving on the Board of Trustees at 1st Presbyterian Church of Harvard. I have a good understanding of setting goals as well as achieving goals with limited resources. I work for the Railroad and part of my responsibilities are to manage purchasing and expense accounts, staying within current budgets as well as creative problem solving. I have learned to take ownership of the task at hand in order to achieve responsible, efficient and safe results.
Checks and balances district wide, in addition to transparency and improving community relations.
For me, the biggest factor in freezing our districts levy would be the impact on our children as well as our ability, as a community, to provide the best possible education. As a whole, most taxing bodies feel it is their right of tradition to raise our property taxes every year – a tax to the max mindset. Times are tough and Harvard’s poverty rate is currently over 28%. The number of homes being sold under duress is alarming. The number of families our local churches are assisting with utility bills, rent, food, clothing and the like, is growing. Blue collar tax payers are making tough decisions and tightening their belts. It would do the tax payers well to know our district is in this with us and tightening their belts as well. There is an old saying “Watch your pennies and your dollars will take care of themselves.” With this being said, yes, I would support freezing our district tax levy if and when possible to do so. Tax payers understand we can’t continually freeze tax levies, however, we shouldn’t continually increases tax levies as well.
There are many decisions made by the school board; some good and some bad; some popular and some not so popular. I’m in the business of moving forward and bringing this community together I see nothing positive in pointing out something I disagree with, at this time. In all fairness, I would need to be in on the discussion leading up to the decision in order to give a fair and educated assessment on the decision made. I am a new comer and there is much to be learned. I am in the process of getting up to speed on things. This is a must in order for me to become a positive, effective addition to our school board.
I am happy to see our Districts strategic goals re-assessed, re-written and approved. A greater emphasis on the importance of the Districts stakeholders, as well as their involvement, is apparent. Transparency of the Boards actions was a positive addition. If implemented properly, this will serve as a valuable tool.
First off, I am a parent and stakeholder in this community. I live here and my children attend school here. I have a real and vested interest in the future of our children and families of Harvard District 50. I stand firm on strong community. Every community member should understand that the city of Harvard and the school district is ours. These are our children and we owe it to them to take ownership and get involved. I’m a blue collar, every day Joe. I am willing to put forth the time and effort required for this voluntary, elected board position. To make sure the entire community is represented as a whole when it comes to decisions being made regarding our children, as well as our tax dollars. I believe transparency leads to accountability which creates trust. Trust is vital to improving the working relationship between our community and our District.
Good common sense
As a new School board member I’d look for ways to improve the children’s education. Maybe smaller classes. More teachers. Our children are the future.
Yes I would. It’s a tough economy. Many people are struggling to survive. They don’t need additional taxing.
The hiring practice should be open to all applying, not just the people with the insider knowledge of the job. There are well qualified people willing to fill these jobs, if they only knew there was an opening.
Building the new grade school.
It’s time for a change. I feel new board members should be elected to keep fresh ideas coming. The same people don’t project the best ideas after a few years. It is not my intention to be a lifetime school board member.
Being involved in public accounting for the past eighteen years has given me extensive experience in understanding financial concepts, financial statements, budgets and comprehension of the inner workings of many types of organizations. In addition, being a Board of Director and Audit Committee Chairman for a local financial institution has provided me with additional experiences in formulating and improving internal control policies and developing proper segregation of duties. However, of all the experiences that would make me a good candidate, the most important ones are that I have grown up in this district and I am raising my children in this district.
My first priority would be to make sure all children have an equal opportunity to learn and proper student/teacher ratios are in place for all grades. Although many measurements should be looked at when assessing student progress, a key indicator of how we are performing is our standardized test scores. Real action needs to be taken to raise our children’s abilities to be at or above state averages.
My second priority would be to increase communication between the boots on the ground (the teachers) and the people making policy for the teachers. Open, honest communication between all parties is the only way we can improve.
Another priority would be to have additional accountability within the budgeting process and develop a system that all revenues and expenses are reviewed and approved at the proper level of detail. This would also coincide with a review and improvement of internal controls and proper segregation of duties within various departments.
Although I am for fiscal responsibility, I would not support freezing the levy solely based on housing prices. I understand the hardship individuals may have regarding the value of their homes (I am one of them), however, the cost of educating our children does not go down based on a decline in housing prices so I feel the two are unrelated.
I am not running for the school board to throw stones at the current board or be a Monday morning quarterback and dissect individual decisions that were made. I am running to be part of how the district operates going forward not to critique decisions of the past.
I have a vested interest to improve the district. My wife and I have grown up in Harvard, both attended Harvard schools and my children are currently attending Harvard schools. I not only care about the Harvard community, but the education that all of our children receive from these schools.
I have the skill to listen to different points of view and the experience in making hard decisions. My sole focus for running for this board seat is to be part of giving our children a holistic, quality educational experience that will help transform them into being productive, successful adults.
